Amazin' Amazon Mystery Animals

One of the 80 different species of blue morpho is one of the largest butterflies in the world - and, some might argue, one of the most beautiful. The top side of its massive wings is a brilliant iridescent blue, but the bottom side is a dull gray or brown. The blue morpho uses this tricky color combo in a fascinating survival strategy known as 'flash and dazzle.' As it flaps its wings, it flashes its bright blue color, dazzling its predators and showing them exactly where it is, but, just as suddenly, it blends into the surrounding brown and gray tree trunks as it displays the underside of its wings, effectively disappearing from its predators view. By the time it 'flashes and dazzles' again, the predator is very confused.