ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Animal coloration

Animals can come in all different colors and patterns, just like how your clothes or toys can be different colors. But the cool thing about animal colors is that they often have a purpose.

One reason animals might have certain colors is to help them blend in with their environment. For example, a polar bear is white because it helps them blend in with the snow and ice in their Arctic habitat. This makes it harder for prey to spot them and easier for them to sneak up on their prey.

Another reason animals might have certain colors is to warn other animals that they're dangerous. Some animals, like poison dart frogs, have bright, bold colors that are a warning sign to other animals to stay away because they are poisonous.

Sometimes, animals might have colors simply to attract a mate. Just like how you might wear your favorite outfit to impress someone you like, male peacocks have bright, colorful feathers to attract female peacocks.

Overall, animal coloration serves many purposes in their survival and mating strategies.