Alex Hyde / Aposematism describes the use of bright colouration and bold patterns to advertise that an organism is unpalatable or dangerous. All three insects are foul-tasting or toxic if eaten: Wood Tiger moth...

Alex Hyde / Magpie Moth caterpillar (Abraxas grossulariata) showing warning colouration, photographed on a white background. Peak District National Park, Derbyshire, UK. June.

Alex Hyde / Panther Chameleon {Furcifer pardalis} close-up of skin, green colouration. Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Lined Leaf-tailed Gecko {Uroplatus lineatus} showing darker nocturnal colouration, camouflaged amongst dead palm fronds. Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon close-up of skin {Furcifer pardalis} green colouration, Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Close up of coiled tail of Parson's chameleon {Calumma parsonii} showing scales and strong green colouration. Tropical rainforest, Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Rod Williams / Yellow-banded Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates leucomelas) sitting on colourful variegated leaves. Captive, found in Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela

Fabio Liverani / Oriental fire bellied toad showing warning colours.

Fabio Liverani / Yellow bellied toad defensive display - shows brightly coloured belly, Italy

Fabio Liverani / Yellow bellied toad defensive display to snake, Italy - shows brighly coloured belly

Pete Oxford / Poison arrow frog {Dendrobates histrionicus} Western Ecuador

Pete Oxford / Poison Arrow Frog (Epipedobates tricolor) Ecuador Amazon South-America. colourful.

Hans Christoph Kappel / European (fire) salamander

Martin Gabriel / European (Fire) salamander {Salamandra salamandra} Bavaria, Germany

Alex Hyde / Malaysian Orchid Mantis (Hymenopus coronatus) showing pink colouration camouflaged on an orchid, Captive

Bert Willaert / Male Schreiber's lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) in breeding colouration, Peneda-Geres National Park (Parque Nacional da Peneda-Geres), Portugal, April.

Bert Willaert / Male Schreiber's lizard (Lacerta schreiberi) in breeding colouration, Peneda-Geres National Park (Parque Nacional da Peneda-Geres), Portugal, April.

Chris Mattison / Asian common toad (Duttaphrynus melanostictus), male in breeding coloration, captive, occurs Asia

Sandra Bartocha / Moor Frog (Rana arvalis) group with males in breeding colouration with Crack Willow (Salix fragilis) trees at the waters edge, Germany, April

Andy Sands / Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) Second year male with food showing brown and black colouration, Wales, UK, June

Andy Sands / Pied Flycatcher (Ficedula hypoleuca) Second year male with food showing brown and black colouration, Wales, UK, June

Alex Mustard / Tropical blue ring octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata) is small but has one of the most venomous creatures in the ocean, its bite injects a neurotoxin that paralyses its victim. It flashes its blue rings...

Alex Mustard / A blue ring octopus (Hapalochlaena lunulata) flashes its blue rings as it crawls over a coral reef. Kapalai Island, Sulu Sea, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia..

Alex Mustard / A wunderpus octopus (Wunderpus photogenicus) warning pose, which includes flared arms and strongly contrasting striped pattern, at the entrance to its burrow, Java Sea, Amed, Bali, Indonesia

Carol Walker / Horse on ranch, pinto colouration, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, USA

Alex Mustard / 2020VISION / Two pairs of mating Common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) the two large males show off their stripy colouration as they protect their females during the mating season, Babbacombe, Devon, UK, English C...

Mark Payne-Gill / Grayling Butterfly (Hipparchia semele) in profile, showing camouflage wing colouration. Mills Marshalling yard, West Yorkshire, July.

Roland Seitre / Brown-throated Three-toed Sloth (Bradypus variegatus) by tree trunk, showing the bark-mimicking colouration of its fur. Captive. Aviarios del Caribe Sloth Sanctuary, Costa Rica.

Roland Seitre / Brown-throated Three-toed Sloths (Bradypus variegatus) hanging from a tree trunk, demonstrating bark-mimicking colouration. Captive. Aviarios del Caribe Sloth Sanctuary, Costa Rica.

Nick Upton / Caterpillar larva of Spurge hawkmoth (Hyles euphorbiae) feeding on Sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias) leaf, Lesbos (Lesvos), with milky sap flowing from leaf scars, Greece, June.

Nick Upton / Caterpillar larva of Spurge hawkmoth (Hyles euphorbiae) feeding on Sea spurge (Euphorbia paralias) flower stem, growing among sand dunes, Lesbos (Lesvos), Greece, June.

Alex Mustard / 2020VISION / Male Common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) in striped breeding colouration, guarding a female as she lays eggs within the seaweeds. Babbacombe Bay, Torbay, Devon, UK, May spawning period. Did you know...

Daniel Heuclin / Yarrow's / Mountain Spiny Lizard (Sceloporus jarrovii) being handled to show blue colouration on ventral side. Controlled conditions. Chiricahua mountains, Arizona, USA, August.

Nick Upton / A very toxic Blister beetle (Mylabris variabilis) with warning colouration, feeding on Hawkweed (Hieracium sp) flower, Port Cros Island National Park, Hyeres archipelago, France, May.

Daniel Heuclin / Cayenne stubfoot toad (Atelopus flavescens) Head portrait showing pink colouration of throat, North French Guiana, South America

Tim Laman / Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus denise) in red colouration, camouflaged within a Sea Fan, West Papua, Indonesia, April 2007

Tim Laman / Pygmy Seahorse (Hippocampus bargibanti) in pink colouration, camouflaged within a Sea Fan. Vicinity of Gam Island, West Papua, Indonesia, May 2007

Nick Upton / Yellow Dung Fly (Scathophaga stercoraria) male with unusual grey colouration, on Blackthorn blossom (Prunus spinosa) Wiltshire, UK, April.

Nick Upton / Scarlet Tiger Moth caterpillar (Callimorpha dominula) feeding on Common Comfrey leaf (Symphytum officinale) Wiltshire, UK, April.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon close-up of skin of tail {Furcifer pardalis} green / blue colouration, Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon close-up of dorsal scales {Furcifer pardalis} green colouration, Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Lined Leaf-tailed Gecko {Uroplatus lineatus} showing darker nocturnal colouration, camouflaged amongst dead palm fronds. Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon {Furcifer pardalis} close up of tail, red / yellow colouration, Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther Chameleon {Furcifer pardalis} close-up of skin, green colouration. Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon close-up of skin {Furcifer pardalis}, green colouration, Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Lined leaf-tailed gecko {Uroplatus lineatus} showing darker nocturnal colouration, Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Lined Leaf-tailed Gecko {Uroplatus lineatus} showing darker nocturnal colouration, Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon tail {Furcifer pardalis} close up of coiled tail, red colouration, Madagascar.

Andy Sands / Sexton / Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus vespilloides) on dead rabbit with mites, Upper Teesdale, Co. Durham, England, UK, June

Andy Sands / Sexton / Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus vespilloides) feeding on rabbit carcass, Upper Teesdale, Co. Durham, England, UK, June

Andy Sands / Sexton / Burying Beetle (Nicrophorus vespilloides) feeding on rabbit carcass, Upper Teesdale, Co. Durham, England, UK, June

Russell Cooper / Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar (Tyria jacobaeae) feeding on Ragwort (Senecio jacobaea) flower buds. Showing Black and Yellow (Aposematic) warning colouration.Morden, South London. UK

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon close-up of skin {Furcifer pardalis} red / yellow / green colouration, Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon {Furcifer pardalis} close-up of skin, green colouration, Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon close-up of skin {Furcifer pardalis} red / blue / green colouration, Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon close-up of skin {Furcifer pardalis} red colouration, Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Close up of coiled tail of Parson's chameleon {Calumma parsonii} showing scales and strong green colouration. Tropical rainforest, Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Close up of skin of Parson's chameleon {Calumma parsonii} showing scales and dark brown colouration. Tropical rainforest, Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon close-up of dorsal scales {Furcifer pardalis} green colouration, Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Panther chameleon close-up of skin {Furcifer pardalis}, green / yellow colouration, Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Lined leaf-tailed gecko {Uroplatus lineatus} showing pale daytime colouration. Tropical Rainforest, Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Alex Hyde / Close up of skin of Parson's chameleon {Calumma parsonii} showing scales and strong green colouration. Tropical rainforest, Masoala Peninsula National Park, north east Madagascar.

Rod Williams / Yellow-banded Poison Dart Frog (Dendrobates leucomelas) moving over leaf litter. Captive, found in Brazil, Guyana, Venezuela

Alex Hyde / Poplar Hawkmoth (Laothoe populi) male showing orange patches on hind wings, as a distraction or startle display. On white background. Pembrokeshire, UK. July.

Nick Garbutt / Male Montane Jewel Chameleon (Furcifer campani) in breeding colouration. Captive, from central highland regions, Madagascar.

Nick Garbutt / Male Montane Jewel Chameleon (Furcifer campani) in breeding colouration. Captive, from central highland regions, Madagascar.

Nick Garbutt / Male Montane Jewel Chameleon (Furcifer campani) in breeding colouration. Captive and from central highland regions, Madagascar.

Stephen Dalton / Lime speck pug moth (Eupithecia centaureata) Example of bird-dropping cryptic colouration

Robert Thompson / Dark arches moth (Apamea monoglypha) two adults on tree bark showing different colouration, Castlewellan Forest Park, County Down, Northern Ireland, UK, July .

Paul Hobson / Adder (Vipera berus) female basking in ferns, brown colouration, Peak District, UK

Nick Upton / A highly poisonous Blister beetle (Mylabris quadripunctata) with red and black warning colouration cleaning a leg with its mandibles, Lesbos, Greece

Stephen Dalton / Caterpillar larva of Cinnabar moth {Tyria jacobaeae} feeding on Ragwort, showing false feet and warning colouration, UK

Stephen Dalton / Close up of caterpillar larva of Cinnabar moth {Tyria jacobaeae} showing false feet and warning colouration, UK

Mark Bowler / Harlequin / Multicoloured asian ladybird {Harmonia axyridis} orange colouration

Mark Bowler / Harlequin / Multicoloured asian ladybird {Harmonia axyridis} red and black colouration, on plant, UK

Mark Bowler / Harlequin / Multicoloured asian ladybird {Harmonia axyridis} black colouration

Andy Rouse / African elephant (Loxodonta africana) young bull with red sand colouration, feeding, Samburu, Kenya (non-ex)

Fiona Rogers / Rear view of mature wild male Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) walking through gallery forest during dry season. Showing sexual colouration of rump. Lope National Park, Gabon. July 2008.

Mary McDonald / Brown bear {Ursus arctos} blonde colouration, Katmai NP, Alaska, USA

Jane Burton / Firemouth cichlid {Cichlasoma meeki} once-dominant male assuming subordinate barred colouration after his lips became dislocated during territorial disputes, captive, from Guatemala and Mexico

Jane Burton / Firemouth cichlid {Cichlasoma meeki} subordinate male hiding amongst stones and assuming barred colouration for camouflage, captive, from Guatemala and Mexico

Michael D. Kern / Bull Snake {Pituophis melanoleucus sayi} hybino (albino x hypo) colouration, captive, from Central USA

Premaphotos / Grasshopper (Rhopsotettix consummatus), warningly coloured pair mating in rainforest, Peru

Tony Phelps / Cape cobra {Naja nivea} speckled colouration, male, Little Karoo, South Africa

PREMAPHOTOS / Caterpillar larva of Moth (Dysphania fenestrata) warning colouration, in rainforest, Queensland, Australia

PREMAPHOTOS / Warningly coloured day-flying moth (Atyria sp) in rainforest, Brazil

PREMAPHOTOS / Caterpillar larva of Magpie moth (Abraxas grossulariata) warning colouration, UK

PREMAPHOTOS / Moth (Dysphania contraria) warning colouration, in rainforest, Sulawesi

PREMAPHOTOS / Close up of caterpillar larva of Frangipani hawk moth (Pseudosphinx tetrio) warning colouration, in rainforest, Peru

PREMAPHOTOS / Convolvulus hawkmoth (Agrius / Herse convolvuli) with wings open to show warning colours when disturbed, Switzerland.

PREMAPHOTOS / Caterpillar larva of Noctuid moth (Apopestes spectrum), warning colouration, Israel

PREMAPHOTOS / Hieroglyphic moth (Diphthera festiva) caterpillar, warning colouration, eating a leaf in tropical dry forest, Costa Rica.

Duncan Mcewan / Caterpillar larva of Grey Dagger (Acronicta psi) Scotland, UK

PREMAPHOTOS / Eunice/Tiger crescent butterfly (Eresia eunice) mimics distasteful Ithomiinae and Heliconiinae butterflies, Brazil

PREMAPHOTOS / Caterpillar larva of Ruddy daggerwing butterfly (Marpesia petreus) with disruptive coloration, in tropical dry forest, Costa Rica

Dan Burton / Caterpillar larva of Cinnabar moth {Tyria jacobaeae} UK