Camouflage Under the Sea
By : Amelia
Contents Page 1..................................... Camouflage Introduction Page 2....................................... Hiders (Crocodile Fish) Page 3.................................................... Hiders (Octopi) Page 4............................................. Predators (Sharks) Page 5....................................... Predators (Sea Turtles) Page 6........... Tricks to an Underwater Life Introduction Page 7.......... Tricks (Hiding in Shells) (Hiding in Schools) Page 8................................................................ Glossary Page 9 ...................................................... Citing Sources Page 10 ................................................About The Author
Camouflage One way animals have kept away from their predators is by hiding in unique places that are away from the predators sight or reach. For example, in coral reefs, sea grasses, and other amazing hiding places. Some developed other defenses such as forming schools to make small fish look like one huge fish so all the fish can be protected. Other animals have defenses too, such as chemicals which have strong flavors in their bodies that their predators hate tasting. Other animals hide in mysterious places, change shape or blend into things, otherwise known as camouflage.
Hiders Crocodile Fish
Totally Different! Crocodile Fish tail
Crocodile tail
Crocodile fish live in the shallow waters of the Atlantic ocean. That name is given because of its texture of the body that makes other animals mistake it as a baby crocodile,
even though the crocodile
fish has fishy tails,
and the crocodile has a
scaly one. The
crocodile fish can’t out
swim predators so
they use camouflage to
make their bodies
hard to see when resting
on them ocean or
reef floor. The crocodile
fish have beautiful
scales that match the
color and texture of the sand and coral they are lying on. This way their predators won’t notice.
Octopi
An Octopus changing camouflage style
Octopi are masters at camouflage and hiding from their predators. In nearly a second, the octopus can change completely the way it looks. They could change from looking like sand to looking like rock. They could change from rough to smooth. When they are attacked they shoot ink to confuse predators, while the predator struggles they swim away into a safe place to hide. They do this to match the coral or rock surrounding them.
Dangerous Predators Sharks Nature has given the sharks a edge in seeking food. The sharks body coloring is a given advantage, his upper body is dark colored so fish swimming above think its just a shadow.
His belly is snow white so prey swimming below think its just the water above. That is one of the why the shark is so good at finding food.
The sea turtles are among the oldest and largest animals that find food in the coral reef. The largest sea turtle can possibly grow to 8 feet and weigh up to
Wee! I’m flying! Sea turtle looking for precious food.
1,500 pounds or more. That is not a good size to be, given that they do not want to be seen by their “food”.
Dangerous Sea Predators: Turtles
Unfortunately, unlike other land turtles, the sea turtle can not pull his head into his shell. So they have to rely on size,
Fun Fact: At night sea turtles hide in the deep ocean caves or
speed, and camouflage to
beneath coral ledges to
defend themselves from other
prevent them from floating
predators.
to the water surface and getting eaten.
Tricks to an Underwater Life Introduction Many smart underwater and land animals have developed skills to protect themselves from predators. Sometimes they are also defending other animals too. Like when fish hide in schools, or hide in shells. For example, chameleons change color to match the surroundings when they are frightened by an animals approach. These tricks help vulnerable or weak animals to defend themselves against animals who want to harm them.
Hiding In Shells
Hiding In Schools
Animals who hide in shells
A lot of scientists believe fish
are mollusks. Molluscs are
form schools to protect one
animals who have no bones
another. To a predator of
and are soft bodied. That is why they need protection. Some
small fish, a school of small fish looks a lot
molluscs like to live in the sea,
like a humongous fish. They
others like to live in freshwater,
do this to prevent from getting
some in shallow water, others in
eaten from a shark or whale. So
deep water. The hard shells
they mistake it and think its a
provide protection when the
huge fish. If a big predator
molluscs need help, because the
does not mistake it, and comes
predators cannot penetrate the
closer toward the school, the
shell. The only time the molluscs
school exchanges thoughts by
are in danger is when they are
doing echo-location and the
changing from shell to shell
whole group disappears in a
because the shells are too small.
blink of an eye.
Glossary Camouflage
A way of hiding something.
Texture
What it feels like, what it smells like, what it looks like.....
Edge
Advantage.
Vulnerable
Able to be easily physically, emotionally, or mentally hurt, influenced, or attacked.
Molluscs
Any animal that has a soft bodied, no spine, and is often covered in a shell.
Citing Sources: http://www.globalanimal.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/baby-turtle.jpg
http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/chaoss/chaoss0907/chaoss090700184/5186169-blue-sea-wavescloseup-view.jpg
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_ckBlasgNSzg/S5Ai_19IqsI/AAAAAAAAR9Y/kcZg271eXBk/s400/ Crocodilefish.jpg
http://www.wallpaperfans.com/9417/Landscape/Underwater/underwater%20starfish-6.jpg
http://www.raydoan.com/images/5165.jpg
http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/octopus-that-glows-in-the-dark.jpg
About The Author
Amelia is 10 years old and she is currently goes to Puxi Shanghai American School. Amelia is from Taiwan and SanFrancisco. This is her 2nd Non Fiction book, the other two were named Turtles and Colonial Times. Her favorite color is purple. She lives with her mother and father. Amelia is a person who enjoys reading and writing. She hopes you do too.