Quick Change Artists
Solids, Checks, and Stripes
Matching the color patterns,
as well as the tones, of its background is key to the cuttlefish's
camouflage success. Its skin can show dozens of seemingly different
patterns, but according to biologist Roger Hanlon, all these
patterns fit into three basic types: uniform, mottled, and
disruptive. Hanlon thinks this simplifies the task of blending in; a
cuttlefish can quickly perceive enough visual cues to jump into one
of the three modes, then take more time to refine the pattern it
needs to stay hidden.