The camouflaging strategy
If a subject moves, the eye can see it helped by various elements that are correlated to the visual capacity of the subject following the action, even a shadow that passes rapidly leaves a sign on the retina, and so it is possible to find its origin. When instead there is no movement, the eye can only see a different shape on a coloured background. The hunting instinct is turned on, in fact, by determined “research images” , i.e. shapes and colours that immediately stimulate the preying instinct, and whatever does not belong to these images, does not arouse much interest. And this makes you understand the importance of camouflage in the animal world, as a particular example of adaptation to the environment: the preys and the predators have in fact had to “invent” strategies to increase the possibilities of capturing their prey, or of escaping from the possible predators.
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A hoax? No thank you, I prefer to find out myself!
In Italian, bufala: a hoax, also means a female buffalo...
31 August 2013
The Red List of Italian animals
Italy has a rich biodiversity due to its distinctive geographic...
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11 June 2012
Bats, facts and fiction
In ancient Rome, bats were nailed to the door of the house as a protection from witches...
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10 February 2014
Coral turns pale!
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A hoax? No thank you, I prefer to find out myself!
In Italian, bufala: a hoax, also means a female buffalo...
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31 August 2013
The Red List of Italian animals
Italy has a rich biodiversity due to its distinctive geographic...
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11 June 2012
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In ancient Rome, bats were nailed to the door of the house as a protection from witches...
From the Multimedia section
Facts
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3 April 2012
The whale shark
<p>The whale shark <i>(Rhincodon typus</i>) is the biggest fish in the world...</p>
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3 April 2012
The whale shark
<p>The whale shark <i>(Rhincodon typus</i>) is the biggest fish in the world...</p>