Eli5: How can some animals change their colors instantly and camouflage?
In: Biology
Depending on the animal, they either have special cells filled with pigments that can expand or contract at will to cover more surface area with that color, or they have special light reflecting crystals in their skin that depending on how they are arranged and angled, will change the color of the light that bounces back, or sometimes a combination. Chameleons use the latter method, while the octopus uses the former.
Latest Answers