The green-brown colour of grasshopper's body in dry grass field is an adaptation for

Assessment: JAMB UTME - Biology - 2025 Subject: Biology

Question 1 Report

The green-brown colour of grasshopper's body in dry grass field is an adaptation for 

Answer Details

Camouflage is an adaptation in which an organism's body colouration blends with its surrounding environment, making it difficult for predators (or prey) to detect it. The green-brown colour of a grasshopper in a dry grass field is a classic example of camouflage: the grasshopper's body matches the colours of the dried and living grass, helping it avoid being spotted by birds and other predators.

This should not be confused with mimicry, which is an adaptation where one organism resembles a different, often dangerous or unpalatable, organism. For example, a harmless hoverfly may resemble a wasp. The grasshopper is not imitating another species; it is blending into its physical habitat.

Predation refers to the act of hunting and killing other organisms for food, which is a behaviour rather than a body-colour adaptation. Mating-related colouration typically involves bright, conspicuous colours (such as the plumage of male peacocks) to attract mates, which is the opposite of what is described here.

The key distinction for examinations: camouflage = blending with the environment; mimicry = resembling another organism.

Download The App On Google Playstore

Everything you need to excel in your exams

Green Bridge CBT Mobile App
Personalized AI Learning Chat Assistant
200,000+ Exam Questions Across IGCSE, JAMB, WAEC & NECO
Over 3,900 Lesson Notes
Offline Support - Learn Anytime, Anywhere
Green Bridge Timetable
Literature Summaries & Potential Questions
Track Your Performance & Progress
In-depth Explanations for Comprehensive Learning