Sometimes they're used for defense like the zebra's confusion camouflage.

Sometimes as a warning like the stripes on a skunk.

Sometimes to look like something or someone else, like the eye-spots of a butterfly.

Sometimes to hide for both predator and prey.

Hey, where'd Chris go?

Shh, I'm using this spotted leopard pattern to sneak up on Martin.

This is how a predator uses camouflage.

Lie motionless, so the prey doesn't see you, like the leopard, hidden from the unsuspecting impala.

Zebra and other herbivores have to look around every now and then to make sure there are no predators coming.

Graze for a while, they'll look up, listen, look.

And if the coast is clear, they get back to grazing.

Now, where's Chris?

I don't see him anywhere.

Do you?

Guess not.

And when the prey looks away, the predator moves closer, always trying to hide her approach by moving behind things that will blend with her coat pattern.

♫ Then freeze.

The leopard is a master at this.

Head up, freeze.

So, when the prey looks down, the predator moves.

For a predator, even a cheetah, it's so much about camouflage and getting as close as they can without being seen.

When they hang together in a group or herd, the prey animals have more eyes and ears on the lookout for danger.

But if that fails, in the case of the zebra, their confusion camouflage defense kicks in.

When the predator's close enough, he goes for it.

Where'd he go?

Hey, what kind of stripes are those?

Zebra stripes!

Got you, Chris!

All right.

Creature patterns are the best.

Yeah, whether you're a big creature, small creature, mammal, insect, predator or prey, patterns are everywhere in the creature world.

So, keep your eye out for spots and stripes and all sorts of cool creature patterns.

We'll see you on the creature trail.