History Main / ChameleonCamouflage

* In ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'' this is one of many instances of BizarreAlienBiology used for a one-off gag; Kif has a "camouflage reflex" that's triggered when he's nervous. [[MyInstinctsAreShowing It's obviously a pretty primal feature]], as it can't do anything about his clothes.

* All Lizalfos species in ''VideoGame/TheLegendOfZeldaBreathOfTheWild'' can change color to blend into their environment, potentially enabling them to ambush unwitting players. The disguise isn't perfect, however, and a player attuned to a Lizalfos' anatomy can make them out against the landscape they're supposed to be blending into.
* The arcade ''VideoGame/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'' game has a ''Canotaurus'' as the fourth level's boss, which had chameleon DNA inserted into its genes. As a result, it has weird eyes and the ability to become invisible (which looks more like it cloaks itself like a [[Franchise/StarTrek Klingon ship]] instead of changing colors).

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[[caption-width-right:350:And the award for Most Meta Cosplayer goes to...the Carpet Soldiers!]]

* ''Literature/PumpSixAndOtherStories'': ''Fluted Girl'' has Burson, the head of security for Lady Belari. It's not made explicitly clear what he is ''exactly'' (and if he ever was human, rather than UpliftedAnimal or a trans-gen clone), but part of his extensive, military-purpose BioAugmentation is a skin that takes the colour of his surroundings and objects he touches, in very quick manner. He's a master of StealthHiBye, but on the flip-side, he has zero control over the ability, it just happens without his control.

* In ''Anime/BNABrandNewAnimal'' Michiru develops a chameleon form, with a tail long enough to cover her clothes.

* British comic ''Cor!!'' once featured a two-page strip titled "[[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kid_Chameleon_(comics) Kid Chameleon]]". The title character was [[WildChild raised by lizards]] (!) in the Kalahari (with a little help from some local Bushmen), and wore a suit of chameleon scales to camouflage himself. Don't ask how he did it, but the background colours were allowed to show through his outline.
* ''Franchise/WonderWoman'' [[ComicBook/WonderWoman1942 Vol 1]]: The Saturnians' {{invisibility cloak}}s are more like camouflage suits, which is why they supplement them with telepathy to ensure they're not seen and why Di, who can NoSell telepathic control and suggestions, still doesn't notice them at first when she has no reason to think there's anyone else around.

[[folder:Film — Animated]]

[[folder:Film — Live-Action]]

%% * ''Film/GIJoeTheRiseOfCobra:'' The Joes' stealth suit.

* Griff, the bank robber in ''Film/ProjectPower'' initially seems to have full invisibility until the protagonist catches him at the right angle and realizes it's this trope. Notably, it works much worse when on the movie across varied scenery rather than standing still in the more monochromatic bank.

* ''Literature/TheBookOfDragons'': The chamo-dragons in "Literature/Camouflage2020" can alter their coloration to perfectly match their surroundings, becoming effectively invisible except for suggestions of movement or their open eyes.

* ''Literature/PumpSixAndOtherStories'': ''Fluted Girl'' has Burson, the head of security for Lady Belari. It's not made explicitly clear what he is ''exactly'' (and if he ever was human, rather than UpliftedAnimal or a trans-gen clone), but part of his extensive, military-purpose BioAugmentation is a skin that takes the colour of his surroundings and objects he touches, in very quick manner. He's a master of StealthHiBye, but on the flip-side, he has zero control over the ability, it just happens without his control.

%%* ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'': In ''Literature/{{Marlfox}}'', this is the ability that marks the eponymous Marlfoxes.

* Polycarbon in Creator/WilliamGibson's ''Literature/SprawlTrilogy'' changes colors to match its surroundings. In ''Literature/{{Neuromancer}}'' Molly wears a suit made of the stuff, while in ''Literature/CountZero'' Turner flies a plane coated in polycarbon.

* ''Literature/TortallUniverse'': In ''Literature/TheImmortals'', dragons' scales change colour to match their emotional state. However, they are also capable of doing this.
* All adult [[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Green_Tree_Python Green Tree Pythons]] in the book ''Literature/{{Verdi}}'' are this.

* Young William Cabbage from the ''Goth Girl'' books has the natural ability to blend into backgrounds called Chameleon Syndrome. He likes to take full advantage by [[InvisibleStreaker walking around in the buff]].
* The person responsible for the killings in ''Series/TheXFiles'' novel ''Goblins'' has this ability, which is a result of a secret government project that is seeking to create the perfect spy/assassin who can blend into his/her surroundings.
* ''Literature/SpySchool'': This is the only thing Warren is really good at, with TheNicknamer dubbing him Chameleon. occasionally he takes it to far, such as when he puts on wood stained to blend in with wooden furniture and can’t get it off the next day, causing a professor to mistake him for a table and put a book on his head.

* Franchise/MonsterVerse: [[Characters/MonsterVerseKaiju Na Kika, a.k.a. Kraken]], in the official {{novelization}}s of ''[[Film/GodzillaKingOfTheMonsters2019 Godzilla: King of the Monsters]]'' and ''Film/GodzillaVsKong'', and the graphic novel ''Godzilla: Dominion''. They can change the color and patten of their body, including the shell, to blend in with their surroundings. When Monarch first found Kraken, they were practically invisible without specialized Titan sensors. And Kraken's natural disguising abilities [[MasterOfYourDomain don't end there]]...

[[folder:Tabletop RPG]]
* Fantasy Games Unlimited's ''TabletopGame/{{Aftermath}}!''. Blends are mutants who can change their skin to become the same color and pattern as any background they're standing next to. They are almost completely invisible when standing still, but have a higher chance of being spotted while moving.

* Iron Crown Enterprises' ''Cyberspace'' RPG. The C-Cloth (Chameleon Cloth) coverall could change colors to match its surroundings.
* ''Dark Conspiracy'' supplement ''Darktek''. The alien [=ET=]'s had a Chameleon Suit which changed its colors to match the background.

* ''VideoGame/{{Fallout 4}}'' has a variant of the [[DemonicSpiders Deathclaw]] called "Chameleon Deathclaw" that can blend in with its environment to hunt stealthily.

* The arcade ''VideoGame/TheLostWorldJurassicPark'' game has a ''Canotaurus'' as the fourth level's boss, which had chameleon DNA inserted into its genes. As a result it has the weird eyes and the ability to become invisible (which looks more like it cloaks itself like a Klingon ship instead of changing colors).
* ''VideoGame/MetalGear'':
** ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid4GunsOfThePatriots'' features the [=OctoCamo=] suit worn by Snake, named after the octopus and designed to mimic its natural camouflage skills. With it, Snake can change the color and texture of his suit to [[WallpaperCamouflage match whatever he's pressed against]] in a matter of seconds. Later in the game this is partnered with [=FaceCamo=], which normally looks like a sock draped over the wearer's head, but can also make a [[LatexPerfection flawless disguise by mimicking someone else's face]].
** In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'', it's possible to kill [[ThatOneBoss The End]] during his introductory cinema. If you chose not to kill him, you'll have to track him across three massive areas using infrared vision since he can seamlessly blend in with the surrounding forest.

* In the ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog'' series, Espio the Chameleon has this ability, and in ''VideoGame/SonicHeroes'', it's required to pass certain stages.

* ''Franchise/{{Halo}}'' has the Spartan-[=III=]s who often wear Semi-Powered Infiltration (SPI) armor in the expanded fiction. Nowhere near as good of armor as the MJOLNIR worn by Spartan-[=II=]s and some elite [=III=]s like Noble Team, but it does have photo-reactive paneling that is described as working similar to a chameleon. Halo also notably has Active Camouflage, but that falls more under the trope VisibleInvisibility.

* ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter'':
** Chameleos from ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterDos'' is a huge [[OurDragonsAreDifferent chameleon dragon]] that can become completely invisible and spends much of its time in the state, notably not even bothering to take the initiative in attacking you (at least until ''VideoGame/MonsterHunter4 Ultimate'', where it's evidently wised up and realized that an aggressive approach is more effective at fending off pesky hunters). The ability is said to be a result of the supernatural ability to refract light around its body as opposed to color changing, though, making it more justified. Fittingly, it's a massive {{troll}}, [[ItCanThink especially for an animal]], as it starts messing with other creatures and [[BanditMook pilfering their items]] either [[ItAmusedMe for a lark]] or to get them to [[RageQuit sod off]]. Breaking the horn disables this ability.
** The Nightcloak Malfestio, one of the {{Superboss}} deviants from ''VideoGame/MonsterHunterGenerations Ultimate'', can refract light around its feathers to appear invisible. It's [[CombatPragmatist quite crafty]] with this little trick, either following it up with a burst of [[InterfaceScrew Confusion]]-inflicting dust or a highly damaging [[SpinAttack corkscrew dash]]. Breaking one ear turns it into VisibleInvisibility, breaking both disables it entirely.

* In ''WesternAnimation/MonstersInc'', this ability is Randall's signature.

* If evolution counts as a (slow) method of disguise, then whole genera of stick insects, leaf bugs, mantis, a few spiders that look like flowers, caterpillars and more can be added.

* ''Literature/RebuildWorld'': In this CyberPunk setting, it’s not especially uncommon for PoweredArmor and war machines to have this. Many of the mechanical monsters that guard the ruins Akira scavenges LostTechnology relics from have it, as well as most government soldiers and operatives. With Akira’s fourth set of armor, he gets a InvisibilityCloak of low quality. When he tests it on other hunters, he gets a number of ItsProbablyNothing reactions. Akira’s sixth set of armor has a higher quality camo cape, and what follows are a number of StealthHiBye scenes.

* ''LightNovel/RebuildWorld'': In this CyberPunk setting, it’s not especially uncommon for PoweredArmor and war machines to have this. Many of the mechanical monsters that guard the ruins Akira scavenges LostTechnology relics from have it, as well as most government soldiers and operatives. With Akira’s fourth set of armor, he gets a InvisibilityCloak of low quality. When he tests it on other hunters, he gets a number of ItsProbablyNothing reactions. Akira’s sixth set of armor has a higher quality camo cape, and what follows are a number of StealthHiBye scenes.

* Actual chameleons may not do this, but many cephalopods (specifically octopuses, squids and cuttlefish) ''do'', both to hunt prey and to hide from predators. They can do this by manipulating their chromatophores, pigment-containing cells in their skin. Some can even change the texture of their skin to match that of rocks or the ground.

* ''WesternAnimation/HowToTrainYourDragon:'' According to the "Book of Dragons", the Change-wing can use its colorful scales to disappear into any environment.

** Chameleos from ''Dos'' is a huge [[OurDragonsAreDifferent chameleon dragon]] that can become completely invisible and spends much of its time in the state, notably not even bothering to take the initiative in attacking you (At least until ''Monster Hunter 4'', where it's evidently wised up and realized that an aggressive approach is more effective at fending off pesky hunters). The ability is said to be a result of the supernatural ability to refract light around its body as opposed to color changing, though, making it more justified. Fittingly, it's a massive {{troll}}, [[ItCanThink especially for an animal]], as it starts messing with other creatures and [[BanditMook pilfering their items]] either [[ItAmusedMe for a lark]] or to get them to [[RageQuit sod off]]. Breaking the horn disables this ability.
** The Nightcloak Malfestio [[EliteMooks deviant]] from ''Generations Ultimate'' can refract light around its feathers to appear invisible. It's [[CombatPragmatist quite crafty]] with this little trick, either following it up with a burst of [[InterfaceScrew Confusion]]-inflicting dust or a highly damaging [[SpinAttack corkscrew dash]]. Breaking one ear turns it into VisibleInvisibility, breaking both disables it entirely.

* ''Machinima/RedVsBlue'': Agent Carolina's armor ability, where she can instantly change her armor's color to anything she needs.

* ''Literature/SpySchool'': This is the only thing Warren is really good at, with TheNicknamer dubbing him Chameleon. Occasionally he takes it to far, such as when he puts on wood stained to blend in with wooden furniture and can’t get it off the next day, causing a professor to mistake him for a table and out a book on his head.

* This is one of the reasons female birds (especially ones that nest on the ground) are less brightly colored than male birds; with less flamboyant plumage, a mother bird can keep herself and her young safe from predators simply by staying perfectly still.

* In ''VideoGame/MightyNo9'', Mighty No. 8 Countershade is equipped with optical camouflage, allowing him to blend into his surrondings. This and the radar dish he wears as a NiceHat help make [[InSeriesNickname Shade]] an effective ColdSniper.

* Actual chameleons may not do this, but many cephalopods (specifically octopuses, squids and cuttlefish) ''do'', both to hunt prey and to hide from predators. They can do this by manipulating their chromatophores, pigment-containing cells in their skin. Some can even [[UpToEleven change the texture of their skin]] to match that of rocks or the ground.

* ''Literature/PumpSixAndOtherStories'': ''Fluted Girl]' has Burson, the head of security for Lady Belari. It's not made explicitly clear what he is ''exactly'' (and if he ever was human, rather than UpliftedAnimal or a trans-gen clone), but part of his extensive, military-purpose BioAugmentation is a skin that takes the colour of his surroundings and objects he touches, in very quick manner. He's a master of StealthHiBye, but on the flip-side, he has zero control over the ability, it just happens without his control.

* One of the Ursa's abilities in ''Film/AfterEarth''.

* ''Film/DumbAndDumberTo'': Captain Lippencott does this twice.
* ''Film/GIJoeTheRiseOfCobra:'' The Joes' stealth suit.
* Weeman does this in ''Jackass 3.5''.

** In ''VideoGame/MetalGearSolid3SnakeEater'', it's possible to kill [[ThatOneBoss The End]] during his introductory cinema. If you chose not to kill him, you'll have to track him across three massive areas using infared vision since he can seamlessly blend in with the surrounding forest.

* Deconstructed in ''Literature/BeetleInTheAnthill'', when Abalkin explores a deserted planet, equipped with a suit that is supposed to give him whole-body camouflage. However, it malfunctions and doesn't actually do anything, so Abalkin takes off his helm for better vision. Then, just as he encounters the local HumanAliens, the suit suddenly powers up and presents him as a floating head, scaring the shit out of the locals (to the point where they open fire).
* From ''Literature/{{Discworld}}'', Susan Sto Helit, Granny Weatherwax and her apprentice Tiffany Aching have powers to do this. The young Vetinari learns this in ''Literature/{{Night Watch|Discworld}}'' (to the point that [[{{Irony}} he nearly fails his Camouflage class for nonattendance]]), and Vimes has an uncanny ability to blend neatly into shadows.
* This is the only thing Warren is really good at in Stuart Gibbs' ''Spy School'' novels, with TheNicknamer dubbing him Chameleon. Occasionally he takes it to far, such as when he puts on wood stained to blend in with wooden furniture and can’t get it off the next day, causing a professor to mistake him for a table and out a book on his head.
* ''[[Literature/PumpSixAndOtherStories Fluted Girl]]'' has Burson, the head of security for Lady Belari. It's not made explicitly clear what he is ''exactly'' (and if he ever was human, rather than UpliftedAnimal or a trans-gen clone), but part of his extensive, military-purpose BioAugmentation is a skin that takes the colour of his surroundings and objects he touches, in very quick manner. He's a master of StealthHiBye, but on the flip-side, he has zero control over the ability, it just happens without his control.
* Being raised by ghosts, Bod does it very well in ''Literature/TheGraveyardBook''.
* In ''Literature/{{Hammerjack}}'', Corporate Special Services soldiers wear armor which changes its color and pattern to match the surroundings, making them nearly invisible to the naked eye.
* ''Literature/HarryPotter:'' The Disillusionment Charm has this effect, and if done well enough can confer actual invisibility. Putting it on a garment is one way to make an InvisibilityCloak, though the charm fades over time.
* In the ''Literature/HyperionCantos'', military PowerArmor works that way.
* ''Literature/{{Idlewild}}'' has a suit of future-military-surplus armor that performs this function.
* ''Literature/InCryptid:'' The Sleestaks, as well as several other cryptids.
* In ''Literature/TheLostWorld1995'', the ''Carnotaurus'' that stalk some of the group have this ability, able to seamlessly blend in with any surroundings. They are so effective at what they do that ''[[TheDreaded raptors]]'' are scared to cross through their territory at night.
* In the ''Literature/{{Redwall}}'' novel ''Marlfox'', this is the ability that marks the eponymous Marlfoxes.

* This is how, according to the flavor text, Mimetic Skin works in ''VideoGame/XCOMEnemyUnknown''. The soldier with this gene mod gets concealed and essentially invisible to enemies by moving to full cover[[note]]half cover for operatives with Low Profile counts too[[/note]] by mimicking the texture of the cover they're hiding next to. The effect is the same as the InvisibilityCloak of Ghost Armor and Ghost Grenade, but it lasts indefinitely, needs cover to work, and the soldier can't have sight on any enemies before they move into cover, else it won't activate.