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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 >
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