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Concealing Camouflage
An animal that blends into the background is using "concealing camouflage." If you observe a lion hiding in the golden fields of an African savannah, this would be an example of concealing coloration. Some animals like the snowshoe rabbit change colors for summer and winter. During the winter, its fur is white like the snow, but in the summer it grows a brown coat to blend with trees and other surroundings. Chameleons are color-shifters who change rapidly to adapt to changing environmental situations.
Disguising Camouflage
Disguising camouflage works by shape and texture instead of just color, according to the University of Delaware. Insects like the walking stick and katydid mostly make up this category of camouflage. These insects look like tree branches, leaves and other objects found in nature. The body of the animal or insect is textured and shaped in a way that resembles its natural surroundings. When a predator looks at the insect, it will not realize an insect is there since it looks like a leaf hanging from a branch.
Disruptive Camouflage
Disruptive camouflage is the pattern on an animal. Zebras, leopards and tigers all have disruptive camouflage. A zebra's stripes are individual to each zebra in the same way that a fingerprint is individual to a human. When a group of zebras stand together, the pattern combination makes it difficult for a predator to single out a lone zebra. Spots and stripes on animals make it difficult for a predator to distinguish between animal and environment.
Mimicry Camouflage
Mimicry is when a weaker animal copies a stronger or toxic animal in its environment to scare away predators, according to Richmond University. The hawk moth uses mimicry to copy itself into a "snake." Viceroy butterflies "transform" into toxic monarch butterflies in the mimicry form of camouflage. An insect that looks like a flower part is practicing the mimicry form of camouflage.
Additional Camouflage
Man-made camouflage is often worn for hunting and out of necessity in the military. Over the years military camouflage has included green for jungle locations, khaki for desert locations and blue for arctic locations. Hunting camouflage is typically brown and olive green to mimic the woods where hunters look for animals. Each camouflage clothing piece serves to make the individual difficult for the enemy or prey to identify.