Camouflage

Camouflage is the ability of a creature or person to conceal themself by exhibiting similar colors and patterns to their surroundings.

Natural camouflage occurs among many animals and birds, allowing them to escape predators, or to be unseen by their own prey. For example, a grey squirrel in a habitat of granite slopes and scree can appear inconspicuous, or a flounder (flat fish) can appear almost invisible among the pebbles on the ocean floor. There are even some animals, including chameleons and octopus, which can change their color to suit their environment. Evolutionists claim that animals have evolved camouflage colors and abilities as an adaptation to their habitat which provides for better survival.

Camouflage clothing is used within the military to allow soldiers to be less visible to their enemy when maneuvering. Camouflage colors were rarely used before the twentieth century, but khaki uniforms were adopted as a camouflage strategy in the trench warfare of World War I. By World War II, uniforms with printed camouflage patterns were being used by many armies.

The most common military camouflage consists of green, brown and black shapes, allowing soldiers to camouflage in forest surroundings. Other variants are used for other terrains, such as beige camouflage for desert operations, and white camouflage for arctic conditions.

See also[edit]

• Stalking in the animal kingdom
• Hunting