Animals communicate in many ways, and for a select few, colour plays a surprisingly important role. Some creatures can shift their appearance when they feel threatened, relaxed, excited, or ready to attract a mate.
These changes are not random. They reflect biology that has evolved to help them stay safe, blend into their surroundings, or send clear signals to others of their kind. Learning how and why these colour shifts happen offers a fascinating look at how animals use their bodies to express their needs and emotions.
This article is for general knowledge only and is based on information from online sources. Animal behaviour varies widely by species, and images are for illustrative purposes only.
1. Chameleons
Chameleons shift their appearance for several reasons, including temperature regulation, communication, and responses to stress or excitement. Brighter colours often appear during social displays, such as when males compete or show courtship interest. Darker tones can signal discomfort or a defensive state.
Their colour shifts come from specialised skin cells that reflect and control light. These cells work together in layers to create the patterns and hues you see. When a chameleon encounters a rival or feels threatened, the transformation happens quickly and visibly across its body.
2. Cuttlefish
Cuttlefish can change colour almost instantly thanks to layers of pigment cells and light-reflecting structures in their skin. The speed of this transformation is remarkable, happening in fractions of a second.
These changes help them communicate with other cuttlefish, show readiness to mate, and signal alertness or agitation. They also use their colour-changing abilities to startle predators or blend into their surroundings. A cuttlefish might pulse with waves of colour when interacting with a potential mate, creating a mesmerizing display that reveals its internal state to observers.
3. Octopuses
Octopuses alter their colours for camouflage, hunting, and signalling. While their colour shifts are not direct indicators of human-style emotions, certain patterns commonly appear when the animal is startled, threatened, or intensely focused.
A calm octopus may show muted tones, while stressed individuals may display contrasting patterns or darker colours. Some species even flash white when alarmed, creating a sudden visual warning. The complexity of their skin allows them to produce textures and colours that match rocks, coral, or sand with impressive accuracy.
4. Bearded Dragons
Bearded dragons change colour on specific parts of their bodies, especially the throat area, during social interactions. A darkened throat, often called a black beard, can appear when the lizard feels threatened, challenged, or excited. They may also shift colours slightly when warming up or reacting to their surroundings.
Pet owners often notice this behaviour when introducing new dragons or during feeding time. The colour intensity can vary from subtle shading to deep charcoal black, providing a clear visual cue about the animal’s current state and intentions.
5. Green Anoles
Green anoles switch between bright green and brown tones. While temperature and light strongly influence their colour, stress or changes in social rank can also trigger a shift.
A green anole may appear more vibrant when calm or dominant and turn brown when feeling threatened or trying to avoid conflict. Males display their colourful throat fans during territorial disputes, adding another layer to their communication toolkit. This dual approach, combining body colour with throat displays, makes their social signals quite effective and easy to interpret for other anoles.
6. Siamese Fighting Fish
Siamese fighting fish, or bettas, often show more intense colouring during displays of excitement or competition. Males brighten when flaring at rivals or reacting to movement in their environment. Stress, however, can cause colours to fade, making colour intensity a useful general indicator of their physiological state.
Aquarium enthusiasts watch for these colour changes to assess their fish’s wellbeing. A vibrant betta typically signals good health and confidence, while washed-out tones may suggest the fish needs attention or environmental adjustments to feel more secure.
