Preeti Talwar

Deep in the heart of the lush green Amazon Rainforest, a special event was going to take place. Birds twittered from tall trees, monkeys swung through vines, and insects buzzed like tiny, weeny instruments. As tonight wasn’t just any jungle night — it was the long-awaited Camouflage Show, a jungle tradition where animals showed off their best hiding skills.

“I can’t wait!” chirped Luna the Dart Frog, hopping excitedly across a mossy log. She was tiny but bold, with electric-blue skin and black spots that gleamed out like paint on a canvas. “This year I’ve got the perfect pose! Nobody will mess with this look.”

Perched underneath a leaf nearby, Glen the Glass Frog giggled softly. His skin was a fresh leaf-green, and his belly was so transparent that one could see his tiny heart thumping.

“Luna, you’re glowing like a jewel. Are you sure that counts as camouflage?”

“Of course it does!” Luna said proudly. “This is called warning camouflage. My bright colours say: ‘I’m poisonous! Don’t even think of messing with me!”

“Ohhhh,” Glen blinked. “I guess being flashy is your way of hiding from predators.”…read more on NOPR