Tim Caro, University of California, Davis and Martin How, University of Bristol
How the zebra got its stripes is not only a just-so story, but an object of scientific inquiry. New research suggests that stripes help zebras evade biting flies and the deadly diseases they carry.
A young shore crab displaying varied colouring.
Aleksey Stemmer/Shutterstock
Thomas Cronin, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
We're used to thinking of our eyes detecting light as the foundation of our visual system. But what's going on in other cells throughout the body that can detect light, too?
Puff adders can become motionless and scentless to avoid detection by those preying on them.
Shutterstock
Last week, a new frog capable of shape-shifting, was discovered. Though many other animals use camouflage, there are only a few other species known which can actually shift their shape.
The animal kingdom is full of incredible examples of camouflage, with animals resembling objects found in their environment such as sticks or leaves, or displaying colour patterns that permit them to blend…
Max Dupain and Frank Hinder are among the many significant artists who contributed decisively to Australia’s modernist tradition. Less well known, however, is that they both worked for Australia’s military…
When most people think of colour change, they think of octopuses or chameleons - but the ability to rapidly change colour is surprisingly widespread. Many species of crustaceans, insects, cephalopods (squid…
How and why have the colour patterns of coral reef fish changed over time?
David Cook
Have you ever wondered why coral reef fishes are so brilliantly coloured and bizarrely patterned? A quick flick through any coral reef fish guide will leave you bewildered and awed. To answer this question…