This species exhibits countershading, with brilliant metallic blue coloration dorsally and white ventrally. Among the many mechanisms of camouflage are countershading and disruptive coloration. Domestic dogs often display the remnants of countershading, a common natural camouflage pattern. This mode of camouflage is called countershading. Similarly in the sea slug "Glaucus atlanticus", the reverse countershading is associated with inverted habits. This creates the effect of countershading, making the underside lighter than the upperside. These animals are thus employing countershading in the usual way for camouflage. This is called countershading and is a form of camouflage. Artist Abbott Handerson Thayer investigated countershading color schemes to "paint out" natural shadows. As such, counter-illumination camouflage can be seen as an extension beyond what countershading can achieve. Demonstrating countershading, the turtle's underside is lightly colored. She noted there had been "much debate" about how countershading works. Sootiness is thought to be a form of countershading. Many are cryptic greens and browns, and have countershading patterns to conceal them. Females are a lighter gray and have countershading.