Camouflage: Hiding in Plain Sight – Wednesday 13th May 2015, 6pm

How does camouflage work in the wild? Animals have evolved in many ways to conceal themselves from watchful preying eyes, often through camouflage. If you can’t hide within, under or behind something else then you may need camouflage to survive.

Vision is a toolbox of different processes that allow most animals to recognise and locate objects. These processes include colour discrimination and recognition, contour detection, shape-from-shading and motion processing. In order to remain hidden, some animals have developed colouration that disrupts each of these mechanisms, often using many types of detection-avoiding solutions at the same time.

Dr George Lovell, a psychologist at Abertay University, will show examples of the various types of camouflage in nature and will offer speculations on what visual processes they may be trying to disrupt.

Café Science Extra takes place in the relaxed atmosphere of Dundee Science Centre’s infusion cafe. Everyone is welcome. Non-bookable. Please arrive early to avoid disappointment.