Hide and Seek: Nature "I Spy"

From insects, to birds, to mammals... God has given many of them incredible camouflage abilities. They can mimic plants, ground cover, and even other animals. Animals use camouflage to hide from predators, while predators sometimes use it in order to sneak up on their prey. Interestingly, some animals are naturally camouflaged, while others change according to their environment. For example, some insects look like leaves and some rabbits change the color of their fur in winter. National Geographics has a really interesting article on camouflage that discusses camouflage tactics animals use. 

 

Below are just some fun pictures that will test your ability to see the camouflaged creature.  

 

Taken from The GrindTV Outdoor blog (Tuesday, March 5, 2013 9:42am PST)

Can you spot the cleverly camouflaged critters?

By: Shannon Dybvig 

It's that time again--it's time to focus your peepers to find the critters hiding in plain sight. Animals big and small, feathered and slimy, are waiting below hoping to be overlooked. Whether they happen to blend into the background, or have a special talent to make their exterior match the exterior, these creatures have many, varied ways to get lost. Can you find them?

This lizard finds it easy being green--and useful for staying out of sight. Image by Sanderslelli

Black and white stripes blend nicely at Kruger National Park, South Africa. Image by Stephen Downes

This Great Grey Owl would be very easy to overlook, which he'd like very much.
Image by Wild for Wildlife and Nature

This image is equal parts branch and gecko. Can you tell which is which? Image by WikiCommons

The ptarmigan isn't too hard to spot, but can you find her five chicks? Image by Paxson Woelber

Can you spot the falcon above? It looks like he's spotted you. Image by Wenchmagnet

This hip-pocket frog is slippery in more ways than one. Image by WikiCommons

One of these palm fronds is actually a lizard. Can you tell which one? Image by Steven N. Maher

These tawny frogmouths in Australia do a mean tree bark impression. Image by WikiCommons