What is homochromy?

Homochromy is a form of camouflage that animals use to hide themselves in their environment.  

Homo means same in the Greek language, and chromo means colour in the Greek language. So, homochromy means the same colour. An animal that uses homochromy camouflage changes its skin colour to be the same colour as its environment or surroundings.

For example, an arboreal (tree-dwelling) Green Vine Snake (Oxybelis fulgidus), the Eastern Green Mamba (Dendroaspis angusticeps) and the Western Green Mamba (Dendroaspis viridis) are the same colour as the branches, leaves, and vines in the trees. This is a form of camouflage known as homochromy. 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM