Exploring Predation and Animal Coloration through Outdoor Activity

Authors

Joseph J. Fontaine, U.S. Geological SurveyFollow
Karie L. Decker, University of ArizonaFollow

Date of this Version

2009

Comments

Published in SCIENCE ACTIVITIES Vol. 45, No.4 (Winter 2009)

Abstract

Although children often characterize animals by the animals' color or pattern. the children seldom understand the evolutionary and ecological factors that favor particular colors. In this ilrticle. we describe two activities that help students understand the distinct evolutionary stmtegies of warning coloration and camoutlage. Because both of these strategies effectively allow prey animals to avoid predation. they can help explain considerable variation in animal coloration.