Animal Camouflage: The 8 Best African Masters Of Disguise✔️ (2024)

You can’t go against nature, you’ve to act according to it. The animal world is a perfect example of this saying. They try to cope up with the extremities coming to haunt them each day. To stand firm against the face of death and facing them with an open heart, is in their nature. Human beings always have something for their redressal. Animals don’t. They change themselves to live in this beautiful world. Camouflaging is one of the biological ways which helps them to survive in their animal world.

Camouflage Animals Meaning

Camouflage animals have a special biological ability to blend themselves with the objects of nature and disguise their body as something else. They use the tactic called camouflaging. It means to disguise or deceive. The military sense related to this word, “camouflage” originated during the First World War. Before that, it applied only to animals which can disguise them to deceive their threats.

Why do animals camouflage?

Animals camouflage for various reasons. Some do it to protect themselves from predators. Some choose it to use it in their favor while hunting. No matter what, camouflaging acts as an added advantage to the species which get it by birth. Others who don’t have this special feature, nature is always there to help. She gave them some other things which assist them to sail through the adversities of life.

Best Camouflage Animals of Africa

Africa is a country rich in biodiversity. What is not there? There are different animals, plants, and marine species that are there to amaze a first-time visitor, for sure! The animal world of Africa is like a mystery. You can’t determine what will happen next. Each moment delights you, amidst the open field, under the bright sun. The warm but calming breeze of Africa is an added dessert to soothe your soul.

Among the numerous wildlife of Africa, some species can camouflage. Let us have a quick look at the best camouflage animals of Africa before you plan your next Safari.

Next time, when you watch these animals, give special attention to their camouflaging abilities. Observe the beauty of camouflage.

Here is the list of some camouflage animals of Africa and some interior facts about them.

Lion

The largest and most graciousAfrican cat, Lion camouflage for hunting. They can easily blend in the yellowish grassland and wait for their prey. Have you ever wondered how calm and focused they are waiting for their prey for hours and hours?When they feel it the right moment to chase, they don’t hesitate. Coming out of their hide, a lion makes a surprise attack on its prey. Without camouflaging it would be hard for a lion to find something to eat.

Best places to see Lion: Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, South Africa, Kruger National Park, South Africa, Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania, Okavango Delta, Botswana.

Leopard

A leopard camouflages like a lion but it uses a different style. It has disruptive black patches on its skin which acts as camouflage. Such a camouflage in Leopards helps them in hunting, while any potential prey uses it to avoid their eyes.

Apart from the disruptive coloration of their skin, they have an added advantage of speed.

Best places to see Leopard: Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa, Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana, Samburu National Reserve, Kenya, South Luangwa National Park, Zambia.

Cheetah

The Cheetah, another wildcat of Africa, is the world’s fastest animal on land. It has the same camouflaging abilities as a leopard. What’s special about this animal is that it can accelerate its speed to 95 kilometers per hour in just a count of three!

In simple words, prey can never deceive this deadly beast. If it fixes its eyes upon an animal, nothing can stop a cheetah to take it down.

Best places to see cheetahs: Etosha National Park, Namibia, Okavango Delta, Botswana, Savute, Botswana, Ruaha National Park, Tanzania

Hyena

A Hyena’s medium-sized body and its color help it to easily blend it in a bush or a dry grassland. A pack of hyena always waits for the right moment and attack collectively. It’s another natural adaption besides their camouflage of the body hairs.

The technique of camouflaging is more or less similar to that of lions. They have only one disadvantage which is their small size of the body in comparison to other wildcats. That’s why they hunt in a herd and show excessive aggression during hunting.

This animal has a unique feature. It’s their smile. How mysterious and haunting the smile is! It would surpass the sound effects of horror movies. Such a fearful beauty nature has bestowed to Africa!

Best place to see hyenas: Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Masai Mara in Kenya, Chobe National Park in Botswana.

Giraffe

Have you ever thought about the spotted coat of a Giraffe? If not, the concept of camouflage will make you think about it. It is another instance where an animal uses a disruptive coloration technique to deceive the predators. Giraffes usually remain in groups. Such camouflaging helps a giraffe not to be spotted by a predator. This makes it hard for a lion or a leopard to spot a giraffe and differentiate if from the group.

Their delicate beauty and gracious walking style, finding fresh leaves from branches of the trees, gives freshness to the eyes. Never miss this animal, if you are wandering in a safari.

Best places to see giraffe: Etosha National Park in Namibia, Kruger National Park in South Africa, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania, Masai Mara National Reserve in Kenya

Zebra

Among the special wildlife of Africa, Zebra is the most delightful to see. You can’t find it anywhere, but here in Africa, they are waiting to be discovered by you. Like their uniqueness, Zebra is also unique in using camouflage. Their black and white striped coat acts as a “motion dazzle”. It helps them to deceive predators.

Motion dazzle distorts the perception of speed. It is most effective when zebras are at high speeds. This unique camouflaging makes it hard for a predator to estimate its speed and direction. By using this tactic zebras can easily escape from the scene without being hunted.

Best places to see zebra: Etosha National Park, Namibia, Makgadikgadi Pans in Botswana, Masai Mara in Kenya, Okavango Delta in Botswana, Samara Game Reserve in South Africa, Samburu National Reserve in Kenya, Serengeti National Park in Tanzania

Crocodile

The mystery is in its glossy scales. A crocodile camouflage to hunt. Their distorted coloring resembles their surroundings and it makes it difficult for other animals to detect their position. However, their movement is also very strategic. They speed up while they are sure about hitting the target.

Isn’t it amazing to watch a crocodile hunting? It lies as if it has no intention to hunt. When the moment comes, it speeds up, opens the powerful jaws, and there you are! Know the differences between a crocodile and an alligator?

Best places to see crocodiles: Mara River in Tanzania and Kenya, Kruger National Park in South Africa

Meerkat

Meerkats also camouflage. But how? Their skin and furs imitate the natural surroundings around them. Meerkats’ coat resembling the color of the desert helps them to avoid any incoming threat. Whatsoever, they have always a few sentries to look around and communicate about any impending danger. They know well how to stay safe!

Meerkats – aren’t they the cutest little critters on the African savanna?

Ages before, there was a time when these animals faced difficulties. Some died, some vanished from the face of the earth. The species which were able to change and adapt according to nature are with us, enjoying the spontaneity of life. Somewhere in a jungle of Africa or a desert, they are waiting to please us. So, what are you waiting for? Plan your next safari here with us at SafarisAfricana.com. Need some inspiration? You can get your Safari Inspiration here.

Frequently asked questions about camouflage animals of Africa

How does camouflage help animals?

Camouflage helps animals to hunt and to keep themselves safe from the threat of predators. Predators use it to remain unnoticed while waiting for prey and some animals use it to disguise themselves in the surroundings for distracting predatory animals.

How does camouflage help animals survive?

Animals with camouflaging skills have an added advantage for their survival. It helps them in hunting, in some other cases, it deceives a predator from getting hold onto it. This special biological tactic helps them to stay alive in the everlasting battle of the “survival of the fittest”.

What are the examples of camouflage animals?

Examples of camouflage animals are:

1. Ghost Mantis
2. Owl Butterfly
3. Leopard
4. Leaf-tailed gecko
5. Great Horned Owl

Name some animals that camouflage in the desert.

Some animals of the Sahara desert show camouflaging skills like,

1. Camel
2. Deathstalker Scorpion
3. Desert Monitor
4. Scarab Beetle
5. Dorcas Gazelle