PETS
Seven animals that can change their shape or appearance
Wikipedia.org
Transforming animals: change to hunt, survive or attract
The animal world is dominated by the most colourful colours and the strangest and most interesting shapes. However, there are also specimens that can change their physical conformation so much that they are practically unrecognisable. These transformations can be instantaneous or can take weeks or even several years to complete. All, however, have a purpose. Some serve to defend themselves from predators, or to better adapt to their surroundings, or even to attract a partner to mate. The wonders of nature are yet to be discovered in their entirety, but in the meantime, take a good look at how some animals are able to... change themselves.
Wikipedia
From caterpillar to butterfly
Lepidoptera have perhaps the most incredible transformation in the world. Metamorphosis is the word most often used to describe the life cycle of these insects, which emerge from their eggs in larva, or caterpillar, form, and then gorge themselves as much as they can and go to sleep in a chrysalis state.
Di Quartl - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15214645
From caterpillar to butterfly
What emerges is the insect that has gone through the final metamorphosis. The appearance changes completely, giving one of the most beautiful natural spectacles of all.
Di Nhobgood Nick Hobgood - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?cu
Porcupine fish, a technique against predators
When you look at it in its normal form, the porcupine fish (Diodon hystrix) really seems to have no chance. Slow, clumsy, and small, many young of this species are eaten by predators in their first few months of life. What happens when a possible danger approaches, however, is truly stupendous
Di Ibrahim Iujaz from Rep. Of Maldives - all the spiky haired teenagers in our nation - a tribute, C
Porcupine fish, a technique against predators
In fact, the porcupine fish, realising the danger, starts swallowing a large amount of water (and air, if need be), becoming up to four times larger, its body completely covered with dangerous spines that make it very difficult to catch.
Di TimVickers - Opera propria, Pubblico dominio, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=449
The Frilled Lizard
It is one of nature's best deceptions. The Frilled Lizard is a non-aggressive animal, which has no major defensive weapons (e.g. it is not venomous) and often hides among rocks to avoid predators. It takes advantage of its particular physical conformation to defend itself if necessary.
Di Abraxis112 - Opera propria, Pubblico dominio, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=994
The Frilled Lizard
Its way of defending itself against predators is to extend its huge collar, causing sudden fear and fright in its opponents. However, this is only a mise en scene. Once the demonstration is over, this animal runs off on the run to avoid a confrontation from which it would almost certainly come out the loser.
Di Rainforest_harley - Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1293737
From puppy to adult
Very common to see in ponds and streams in springtime, tadpoles are the initial stage, the young, of frogs and toads. Still limbless and equipped only with a long tail, these little creatures go through a wonderful metamorphosis to become adults, but without the need for shells or cocoons.
Di Helge Busch-Paulick (Grand-Duc @ Wikipedia), CC BY 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php
From puppy to adult
A few weeks after birth, however, they begin to develop sketches of the fore and hind limbs, until the disappearance of the tail, which coincides with profound changes in the organism. One of the fundamental steps is the disappearance of the gills, as they are amphibians, and switching to cutaneous and pulmonary respiration.
Di Michael Haferkamp - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=
A functional fur change
The Arctic fox, smaller and more cold-adapted than the common red fox, is able to adapt its fur to its surroundings and the season. In summer, these animals have short, brown fur. When the first cold weather arrives, however, the coat changes completely.
Di Jonathen Pie https://unsplash.com/@r3dmax - https://unsplash.com/photos/NBvcQRdRSeQ, CC0, https:/
A functional fur change
In fact, the brown fur gives way to a fluffy white coat, making it virtually invisible amid the deep snow. This change occurs within a few weeks. In addition to camouflage, the white fur is more thermo-insulated and more resistant to the frigid temperatures of the Arctic Circle, which can reach as low as 50° below zero.
Di Charles J. Sharp - Opera propria, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography.co.uk, CC BY-SA 4.0, h
A wonderful transformation, but with limitations
Having eyes that can move independently of each other, and having a snapping tongue, are just two of the wonderful features of the chameleon, one of the most prized saurians on the planet especially for its ability to change its skin color as needed.
Di B.navez - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=269645
A wonderful transformation, but with limitations
Despite what you think, however, the transformation is not as rapid, nor is it as faithful to the environment as one would think. For instance, it is not able to change colour by following the contours of silhouettes, such as branches and leaves, nor is it able to cover too wide a range of colours. It is also a mating method: in fact, some chameleon species take on brighter, more colourful colours in the presence of females or love rivals.
Di Doug Janson - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=623299
A matter of pride
Some animals, such as but not limited to the chameleon, tend to show off and try to assert themselves during courtship. In this way, they will be chosen by females for mating. Many birds also perform dances or songs to attract a possible mate.
Di Matěj Baťha - This photograph was taken with a DSLR from WMCZ's Camera grant., CC BY-SA 3.
A matter of pride
What this Malleefowl does, for example, is to swell and expose its colourful, blue-coloured chest to excess, with obvious red spots, which are ideal for impressing females. Obviously, the females only indulge in the larger, more colourful specimens, seeing in them better generic marks for the continuation of the species.
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