page_title: Disruptive coloration
section_title: A disputed case: the giraffe
hierarchical_section_title: Disruptive coloration / In animals / A disputed case: the giraffe
caption_attribution_description: ♀ Giraffa camelopardalis thornicrofti Afrikaans: 'n Kameelperdkoei en kalf in die Suid-Luangwa Nasionale Park van oostelike Zambië English: A Giraffe mother and her calf in the South Luangwa National Park of eastern Zambia Deutsch: Eine Giraffenmutter mit ihrem Kalb in Südluangwa-Nationalpark im östlichen Sambia
context_page_description: Disruptive coloration is a form of camouflage that works by breaking up the outlines of an animal, soldier or military vehicle with a strongly contrasting pattern. It is often combined with other methods of crypsis including background colour matching and countershading; special cases are coincident disruptive coloration and the disruptive eye mask seen in some fishes, amphibians, and reptiles. It appears paradoxical as a way of not being seen, since disruption of outlines depends on high contrast, so the patches of colour are themselves conspicuous.
  The importance of high-contrast patterns for successful disruption was predicted in general terms by the artist Abbott Thayer in 1909 and explicitly by the zoologist Hugh Cott in 1940. Later experimental research has started to confirm these predictions. Disruptive patterns work best when all their components match the background.
  While background matching works best for a single background, disruptive coloration is a more effective strategy when an animal or a military vehicle may have a variety of backgrounds.
context_section_description: The presence of bold markings does not in itself prove that an animal relies on camouflage. According to Mitchell, adult giraffes are "inescapably conspicuous", making the conclusion that their patterns are for camouflage appear counterintuitive: but when standing among trees and bushes, their camouflage is effective at even a few metres' distance.
  Further, young giraffes are much more vulnerable to predation than adults: between 60% and 75% of calves die within a year. Mothers hide their calves, which spend much of the time lying down in cover. Since the presence of a mother does not affect survival, Mitchell suggests that young giraffes must be extremely well camouflaged. This is supported by the fact that coat markings are strongly inherited. Conversely, far from hiding, adult giraffes move about to gain the best view of an approaching predator, relying on their size and ability to defend themselves even from lions.
caption: A conspicuous giraffe mother can defend herself, but her calf relies on its camouflage
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