News Animals

Is camouflage better than warning colors? For insects, it depends

Defensive coloring's effectiveness may depend on light, prey populations and other factors

A small bird with dark brown and white plumage perches on a surface, holding an orange-and-black butterfly in its beak

A European stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) eats a butterfly decorated in warning coloration. New research suggests the effectiveness of these colors may partially depend on the intensity of pressure from local predators.

Stanislav Harvancik

By Jake Buehler

Prey animals can use their colors to hide from predators or dissuade them from attacking.