The **camouflage** is one of the most effective strategies that animals use to avoid predators or surprise their prey. Some species rely on their speed, others on group behavior, but certain creatures have perfected the ability to blend in with their surroundings. This is the case of the **chameleon shrimp** (*Hippolyte varians*), **[a crustacean](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/asi-es-el-camaron-renacuajo-la-especie-viva-animal-mas-antigua-del-mundo/)** capable of changing color according to the type of algae it hides in.
A study published in *Journal of Animal Ecology* revealed that **these small shrimps can even adapt to invasive algae they did not evolve with**. Researchers from the Federal University of ABC (Brazil) and the University of Exeter (United Kingdom) analyzed their behavior on European beaches, observing their interaction with native and exotic algae from Asia and Australia.
During the experiment, the shrimps were placed in containers with two types of algae: a native one and an exotic one. In most cases, they selected the one that offered them better camouflage, without distinguishing between native or invasive species. In particular, **when presented with native red algae and invasive brown algae, they opted for the latter**, probably due to their three-dimensional structure, which provides greater protection.
“The Asian sargassum, an invasive species that has proliferated in Europe in the last decade, turns out to be an ideal hiding place for the shrimps,” explained Rafael Duarte, the study’s lead author. Although this algae is displacing native species, **the shrimps seem to be taking advantage of its presence**.
## The chameleon shrimp, owner of a remarkable survival ability
The chameleon shrimps **can take up to 30 days to change color to adapt to their new environment**. According to researchers, the transition from red to green is faster than the reverse since red pigment is more difficult to synthesize. It is believed that shrimps obtain these pigments from the algae they consume.
Despite the apparent adaptability of **[these crustaceans](https://noticiasambientales.com/ciencia/investigadores-descubren-que-los-crustaceos-fertilizan-las-algas-como-las-abejas-polinizan-las-plantas/)**, **scientists warn that the proliferation of invasive species could have long-term ecological consequences**. “We need to monitor these interactions to understand their impact on marine ecosystems,” Duarte concluded. For now, the chameleon shrimp demonstrates a remarkable survival ability in a changing environment.
## Some characteristics of the chameleon shrimp
The chameleon shrimps are small animals no more than 3.5 centimeters long, with **varied colors ranging from red, brown, and green** to almost total transparency with reddish or yellowish spots.
Unlike true chameleons, these small animals do not have the ability to change color instantly. But **they can adapt their shade over time to match the algae around them**, which change color according to the season.
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