countershading
noun
coun·ter·shad·ing
ˈkau̇n-tər-ˌshā-diŋ 
: cryptic coloration of an animal with parts normally in shadow being light and parts normally illuminated being dark thereby reducing shadows and contours
Examples of countershading in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The latter, which is most common, features a pattern called countershading, in which the fish has a black back and a white belly.
—
National Geographic, 11 Feb. 2020
Tree kangaroos show countershading, Holtz says, and the forest-dwelling raccoon dogs wear color patterns much like Sinosauropteryx.
—Brian Switek, Smithsonian, 26 Oct. 2017
Kaye, Pittman and others revealed that the dinosaur’s topside was darker than its underside and tail; a physical feature called ‘countershading’ and associated with camouflage in modern animals.
—Jon Tennant, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2016
The study of fossilized pigments has continued to expose new information about prehistoric life, hinting at potential animal survival strategies by showing evidence of countershading and camouflage.
—Jay Bennett, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2012
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National Geographic, 11 Feb. 2020
Tree kangaroos show countershading, Holtz says, and the forest-dwelling raccoon dogs wear color patterns much like Sinosauropteryx.
—Brian Switek, Smithsonian, 26 Oct. 2017
Kaye, Pittman and others revealed that the dinosaur’s topside was darker than its underside and tail; a physical feature called ‘countershading’ and associated with camouflage in modern animals.
—Jon Tennant, Discover Magazine, 20 Dec. 2016
The study of fossilized pigments has continued to expose new information about prehistoric life, hinting at potential animal survival strategies by showing evidence of countershading and camouflage.
—Jay Bennett, Smithsonian Magazine, 6 May 2012
Cite this Entry
“Countershading.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/countershading. Accessed 9 Sep. 2025.
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