The flatfish

that spends its day buried beneath the sand

The European plaice disguises itself underwater using the clever technique of mimesis. By using its fins to coyer itself in sand, this fish can blend in with the seabed, aided by the small orange, spots on the top of its body. It will then often remain still for long periods of time, becoming active at night when it feeds on molluscs, worms and crustaceans.

The spider that sits in disguise

waiting to pounce on its unsuspecting prey

Unlike most arachnids, the goldenrod crab spider does not use a web to catch prey. Instead, it captures any passing insects by patiently perching on top of flowers with its pincers at the ready, using its careful camouflage to blend in. By actively changing their body colour from white to yellow depending on the flower they are resting on, they are able to remain invisible to their prey, which often means a successful hunt.

The gecko that blends into trees

The mottled colours and the leaf-fringed tail make it incredibly difficult to spot the Henkel’s leaf-tailed gecko. And if a predator is fortunate enough to spot this reptile in its habitat, the gecko has one more trick up its sleeve: tail shedding. The gecko can detach its tail from its body when captured, allowing it to escape predators safely and avoid becoming a reptilian snack.

The savvy frog that will change colour

to avoid ending up on the menu

As its name suggest, the European edible frog is widely hunted for human consumption, most commonly for the European delicasy of frogs legs. On hearing approaching predators these amphibians, blend in by matching their colours to their surroundings, or by hopping into a nearby pond.

The disguised moth that flies at night

Named for its terracotta features, the brick moth is often found hiding among woodlands and in parks. They emerge during autumnal months and are distributed across most of the UK. Look out for them resting on leaves, in particular when feeding on poplar trees, a favourite food source.