44 Nebraskaland • July 2026
All around Nebraska, you'll find green popping up
on insects, reptiles, amphibians and even some birds.
It's a color that blends beautifully into our landscapes,
perfect for hiding from predators, sneaking up on prey,
or sometimes just standing out to say, "Hey, I'm toxic —
don't eat me."
Take the katydid, for example. These leaf-mimicking
insects are one of the best examples of natural camouflage.
Their green coloration doesn't come from pigment alone.
It's a combination of yellow pigments and blue structural
coloration. Their bodies are built in such a way that they
reflect light in the green spectrum, making them nearly
invisible among grass and foliage. Evolution has turned
them into little plant imposters.
Then there's the American bullfrog, a widespread
amphibian found throughout Nebraska's ponds, lakes and
slow-moving streams. While not as boldly patterned as
some frogs, bullfrogs often display a green or greenish-
brown coloration that helps them blend into the surrounding
vegetation and murky water. This camouflage is thanks
to specialized skin cells called chromatophores, which
layer pigments to produce their earthy tones. The upper
layer reflects blue light, and when combined with yellow
pigments underneath, gives the bullfrog its characteristic
green appearance. It's an ideal adaptation for staying hidden
from predators, such as herons, raccoons or larger snakes.
But here's the strange thing — there are no green
mammals. None. Sure, some animals like sloths look green
because of algae and moss growing in their fur, but that's
more of a superficial coloration than natural pigmentation
present in their fur. Scientists believe it comes down to
the way mammalian hair is structured and how pigments
like melanin work. Unlike feathers or scales, fur just can't
pull off a true green hue.
LEFT: An American bullfrog (Lithobates
catesbeianus) hunts on a private pond in
Sarpy County. JEFF KURRUS, NEBRASKALAND
BELOW: The greater angle-wing
(Microcentrum rhombifolium) is a large,
leaf-mimicking katydid. BRIANNA NUGENT
Vibrant
Greens
