Aposematism
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Aposematism is the advertising by an animal, whether terrestrial or marine, to potential predators that it is not worth attacking or eating. This unprofitability may consist of any defences that make
The bright colours of this granular poison frog signal a warning to predators of its toxicity.
The honey badger's reverse countershading makes it conspicuous, honestly signalling its ability to defend itself through its aggressive temperament and its sharp teeth and claws.
Flamboyant cuttlefish colours warn of toxicity
Hycleus lugens, an aposematically coloured beetle
Countershading
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Countershading, or Thayer's law, is a method of camouflage in which an animal's coloration is darker on the top or upper side and lighter on the underside of the body. This pattern is found in many sp
Aposematism
…The bright colours of this granular poison frog signal a warning to predators of its toxicity. The honey badger's reverse countershading makes it conspicuous, honestly signalling its ability to defend itself through its aggressive temperament and its sharp teeth and claws. Aposematism…
Many animals, such as this grey reef shark, are countershaded.
Illustration from the artist Abbot Thayer's 1909 book on camouflage of a Luna caterpillar Actias luna a) in position b) inverted.
Thayer's 1902 patent application. He failed to convince the US Navy.
Thayer's "White fowl, lacking counter-shading, against a flat white cloth."