use of colors and patterns to blend into the surrounding area in order to hide... more
These are just a few of the many colors and patterns that animals use to send signals. In some cases colors are used to find the perfect mate. Animals also use colors as warning signals and as camouflage to hide from predators. There are also many cases where scientists do not know exactly how some animals are using their cool colors and patterns.
Tree lizards (Urosaurus ornatus) are among the most common lizards in the southwestern United States. You can often find them warming themselves in a sunny spot on a tree, fence, or wall, waiting for an insect snack to come crawling or flying by. Males have bright blue bellies and colored dewlaps. Females have orange dewlaps, but no blue belly patches. Look on your backyard fence for tree lizards in the summer.
