Crypsis & Camouflage

Do you see the young horned lizard (Phyrnosoma spp.) in this photo? He blends in perfectly with the surrounding rocks, dirt, and foliage thanks to crypsis.

Crypsis is an overarching term that refers to the biological goal of remaining hidden. This adaptation encompasses morphological traits and behaviors that are used to avoid predation, or to increase a predator’s chances of stalking prey undetected.

Crypsis can be broken down into specific types of concealment - the most common example for us trichromatic humans is through camouflage.

Camouflage specifically refers to blending in with one’s surroundings by color matching physical traits with surrounding colors, patterns, and textures.

Here in the desert southwest, habitat often consists of limited cover so camouflage is especially important, and consequently many species have adapted to take on the look and color of surrounding rocks and soil. 

(Left): Pallid winged grasshopper (trimerotropis pallidipennis) nymph 

(Right): Adult horny toad (Phyrnosoma spp.) 

(Left): Panther-spotted grasshopper (Poecilotettix pantherinus) 

(Right): Hawk or sphinx moth from the family Sphingidae

Some insects use camouflage to blend in with specific plants, like this panther-spotted grasshopper that I found near a falseleaf goldeneye, or this caterpillar on a sacred datura.

(Left): Gray bird grasshopper (Schistocerca nitens) on a dead forb

(Right): Patch-nosed snake (Salvadora spp.) among oak leaf litter in the Huachuca mountains

Other animals seem to blend in better with leaf litter, detritus, and dormant foliage. 

Some species are incredibly adapted to hide themselves within their habitat, becoming harder to spot than Waldo, Wenda, and Wizard Whitebeard. But I was able to capture all of these photos hiking through the Sky Islands and working across the borderlands. T

he art of noticing can make a mile hike turn into a couple hours (especially if birds are involved!)

The desert is full of small, cute, sometimes venomous critters, and when you take the time to notice them, you start to see the unbelievable amount of species that call this beautiful place home and marvel at their incredible adaptations that help them survive in such a harsh environment.

And here is a close-up of the young horned lizard from the first photo, in case you couldn’t spot him!