• < 30 minutes

• A toy animal (could be plastic or stuffed)
  

Play a game of hide and seek by hiding the toy animal in an accessible place around your home.

The objective is to hide the toy animal in plain sight (i.e., not in cupboards, closets, under furniture, etc.), but also where it blends in with the surroundings, where it can be camouflaged.

Search for the "hidden" toy animal.  Was it easy to find?  Why or why not?

Hide the toy animal in different locations, places where the degree of camouflage varies.  Is it easier or harder to find? 

Camouflage is the way a plant or animal uses its colour, shape or texture to blend in with its surroundings to prevent it from being seen by attackers.

Some animals change colour depending on the season.  Many birds, for instance, are more colouring during the warm weather months than they are in the wintertime.  Some mammals, such as the Snow Rabbit and the Arctic Fox, change the colour of their coats to white for the winter season.

Marine animals are among the most interesting camouflage creatures; for example, octopi and flounders not only change their colour but also their skin texture to match their surroundings.

Fascinating fact

Chameleons are well known for changing their skin colour.  Most people think this is for protection, but it is mostly a reflection of their mood.  They will often use their ability to change colour as a social signal to other chameleons.  Ac chameleon\'s skin is actually transparent.  Special colour pigment below the surface of the skin will change depending on the temperature of the air and the amount of light.