Question:
"How does countershading help fish in the ocean?"
From Murat in Pakistan

Answer:
Great question! Countershading is a type of camouflage used by open ocean fish and mammals, like tuna, sharks, and dolphins. These are rarely near sand or plants, so they do not use the types of camouflage that reef and bottom-dwelling animals do. Instead, they are lighter on their undersides, sometimes completely white, and a darker blue on their tops. When predators are above them, they see the dark blue, which blends into the ocean below; when predators are below them, the light undersides blend in with the brightness of the water near the surface. Using countershading, open ocean fish and mammals are able to escape the attention of their predators.


Find more great stories in the OCEAN ARCHIVES >