Giant Brains and Camouflage
Because of our giant brains, we tend to think of ourselves as superior to other animals. Ha! I suspect other animals laugh at this foolish arrogance.
If you behave, I'll tell you why.
One reason that many animals laugh themselves silly is that they can camouflage themselves just by willing it to be so. On the other hand, a naked man is just a naked, perhaps sunburned, man. Many animals can take on the appearance of a rock or appear to be much tougher just by willing it to be so; whereas, man just stands there when threatened still just looking like a man.
Animals can camouflage themselves primarily through two means: altering their pigments and changing their physical structures. Camouflage allows prey to avoid predators and for predators to sneak up on prey. The arctic fox has a white coat in the winter, but it changes back to its fox color in the warmer seasons. Otherwise, their prey could see them coming from a mile away.
Some species use warning coloration which is animal code for “Danger---Danger.” Monarch butterflies warn their potential predators that they may be poisonous; they give the birds fair warning by their coloration. By the way, birds throwing up is quite a site.
The coral snake, a truly deadly snake, warns of their venom through brightly colored rings of bright colors. On the other hand, the scarlet king snake is camouflaged as a coral snake to trick predators into leaving it in peace.
The walking stick and walking leaf appear to be sticks and leaves instead of edible animals.
You have probably noticed how some animals seem to have eye spots on both ends of their bodies. Butterflies regularly use this tactic. This can fool predators into thinking the animal is larger than it actually is or lure the predator to attack the wrong end of the butterfly.
Some animals alter their smell to make themselves appear tougher than they actually are. The California ground squirrel chews up rattlesnake skin and applies it to their tails.
The dresser crab literally dresses up by applying objects from its surroundings to its Velcro-like hairs.
Well, what about man and his giant brain. Well, we've finally gotten around to recognizing the importance of camouflage to their well-being---the military in particular. Many a scientist is busy today trying to develop ways to hide man from its potential enemies. The stealth airplane hides its appearance from radar, but the enemy can see it with their eyes…“There it is, Omar.”
When I was in grade school, we were given several reasons that the colonists were able to defeat the British army. This didn't fool me: it was obvious they lost because they wore bright red uniforms---excellent targets.
The colonists cleverly disguised themselves as farmers and merchants wearing everyday attire---not so good as targets. While subduing the natives of India, they finally developed a less gaudy uniform coloration which they called “khaki,” the Hindu word for dust.
During WWI and WWII, the allies noticed that their warships were rather large and obvious targets. One fellow came up with razzle-dazzle camouflage which calls for the ships to be painted with random contrasting stripes which confuses the vision of the enemies as to their shape and distance from the viewer.
In the meantime, we're working hard on a variety of systems to hide our warriors. But, you may ask, what about the man in the street. Well, you're pretty much screwed.
If someone threatens to beat the snot out of you, there is not much you can do to alter your appearance or warn off the aggressor.
Physically there is only a few things you can do. Don't stand with your feet close together. This makes you appear fearful. If you cross your arms across your chest, you may appear bigger and badder.
Pretty weak stuff.
We really only have two choices: fight or flight.
Oh yeah, there's that giant brain which allows us to speak. I've always found that being aggressive is our most useful tool. Telling your opponent that you’re going to jerk his liver out of his body and use it for a seat cushion is pretty effective.
The key to self-defense is never backing down. You may get your butt whipped occasionally, but you'll avoid more fights by never backing down than you will by showing fear.
enough