What key physical feature defines the great white's coloration strategy known as countershading?
Answer
Stark white underside contrasting with a dark gray, brown, or black dorsal side
Countershading is a primary visual feature of the great white shark, serving as highly effective camouflage. This involves the shark's underside being stark white, which helps obscure its silhouette when viewed from below against the bright surface waters. Conversely, the dorsal side ranges in color from dark gray to brown or even black, allowing the shark to blend seamlessly with the dark depths when viewed from above. Furthermore, specialized cells called melanocytes in the skin may grant the shark the ability to subtly adjust its shade, enhancing this blending capability while stalking prey.
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