At first glance, it seems that giant pandas (大熊猫) might not be good at hide- and-seek. With their black and white coats,they appear to have a hard time matching their backgrounds and avoiding detection by their enemies. But a new study finds that the unique markings, in fact, provide effective camouflage (伪装) and help them disappear into their surroundings. Scientists have long wondered what function the black-and-white coloring plays.
For their study, researchers analyzed photos of giant pandas in their natural habitats. “We’ve found that the animals are very well camouflaged because they use habitats with dark and lighting conditions, and also snow during some time of the year,” study author Tim Caro of the University of Bristol and the University of California, Davis, tells Treehugger.
They found that the black patches (块) of fur match primarily shade and dark tree trunks. They also match the ground，rocks and leaves. The white fur patches match snow, rocks, and waxy, bright leaves. Sometimes pandas also have patches of pale brown fur and those match rocks, ground and shady background areas.
The researchers also explored a type of environmental camouflage known as disruptive coloration. That’s when highly contrasting patterns or very visible boundaries on an animal break up its body outline. They found that the black and white borders on the panda’s coat make it less noticeable, particularly from farther away.
It might seem a bit confusing because giant pandas are very easy to spot at a zoo, for instance. But the environment and the viewer make a difference.
“We modelled their coloration through enemies’ eyes as well as how humans see them so we are sure of the results.” Caro says.
“It seems that giant pandas appear easily noticeable to us because of short viewing distances and unnatural backgrounds, when we see them, either in photographs or at the zoo,it is almost always from close up, and often against a backdrop that doesn’t reflect their natural habitats,” says author Nick Scott-Samuel of the University of Bristol. “From a more realistic enemy’s view, the giant panda is actually rather well camouflaged.”
【小题1】What is the general first impression of giant pandas?| A．They like staying away from humans. |
| B．They are really good at hide-and-seek. |
| C．They match the backgrounds very well. |
| D．They can be easily detected by enemies |
| A．Tree trunks. | B．Pale brown pandas. |
| C．Black fur patches. | D．Shady background areas |
| A．They are less noticeable in natural environments. |
| B．They can be easily noticed even from farther away. |
| C．They often disappear into backgrounds in a zoo. |
| D．They can not camouflage from an enemy’s view. |
| A．Giant Pandas Hide Themselves From Tourists |
| B．Giant Pandas Are Actually Good at Camouflaging |
| C．The Black-and-white Coloring Proves Appealing |
| D．You Are More Likely to Spot Giant Pandas in Nature |
