An animal’s camouflage coloring is an example of what type of adaptation?

• A. Behavioral adaptation
• B. Structural (physical) adaptation known as camouflage
• C. Physiological adaptation
• D. Evolutionary adaptation

Answer: (B)

Camouflage coloring is a structural, physical adaptation because it relies on a body trait—the animal’s color and pattern—that helps it blend into its surroundings. Structural adaptations are features of the body, like color, shape, or texture, that improve survival by altering how the organism interacts with its environment. Camouflage works by breaking up the animal’s outline and matching background colors, making it harder for predators or prey to detect it. This differs from behavioral adaptations, which are actions the animal takes, such as staying very still or being active at night, and from physiological adaptations, which involve internal bodily processes. It also isn’t describing a broad evolutionary shift over generations, but a physical trait that helps the animal survive in its habitat.