camouflage

Camouflage is the act or art of concealing something by making it difficult to detect or recognize. It can involve blending with the surrounding environment, breaking up the object's outline, or mimicking the textures and colors of background materials. Camouflage is used by living organisms to avoid predators, stalk prey, or protect themselves from threats, and by humans to conceal military equipment or individuals from detection.

In nature, camouflage operates through several strategies. Background matching helps the organism resemble its surroundings. Disruptive coloration breaks up body outlines with irregular patterns. Countershading uses lighter surfaces on top or bottom to neutralize shadows. Transparency and translucence reduce visibility in aquatic environments. Masquerade makes the organism resemble inanimate objects or common objects in the scene. Some species show seasonal camouflage, changing color with seasons, and many adjust body patterns or postures to remain inconspicuous.

Examples include the peppered moth's color variation, the cuttlefish's rapid color changes, the snowshoe hare's winter coat, and the frozen stick insect that mimics twigs. Predators and prey use camouflage in combination with behavior such as stillness or choosing appropriate microhabitats.

In human use, camouflaging patterns and garments have been developed for military purposes, including camouflage clothing, painted equipment, and decoys. Early attempts emerged in World War I, followed by specialized patterns such as DPM, Woodland, Multicam, and digital camouflage. In addition to military uses, camouflage influences art, fashion, and industrial design, and researchers study camouflage to develop sensors, materials, and autonomous systems that can see through camouflage.