Disruptive coloration - color patterns or markings that break up an animal’s body shape to help conceal and camouflage it.

Did you know that military camouflage was inspired by those who studied disruptive coloration in the animal kingdom? The concept of using contrasting colors to help break up an object's outline is a central feature of military camouflage today.

Examples in the animal world:

• Tiger's stripes help them hide from their prey in tall grasses.
• A killer whaleʼs black and white color pattern contradicts its body shape. In the flickering, filtered sunlight of the sea, prey animals may not recognize a killer whale as a potential threat.
• A four-eye butterfly fishʼs deceptive eye spots may confuse a potential predator on its swimming direction, helping it to escape.