COUNTERSHADING
It's the smart hide-and-seek paint job many ocean species wear: dark on top, light on the belly. From above, the dark back blends with deep water; from below, the pale belly blends with the bright surface.
Why it matters: Countershading helps animals avoid predators and sneak up on food, keeping the ocean food web in balance.
Fun fact: Some fish have added sparkly sides like mirrors, reflecting whatever is around them, for extra camouflage!
Say it like this: KOWN-ter-shay-ding
Your turn: Lamp Test! Hold a two-coloured ball (or a dark sock on top of a light one) under a lamp. Look from above and you mostly see dark. Look from below, you mostly see light. That’s countershading at work!
Do you want to know more? Read Sophia's article about sharks.
The Secret of Sharks