Homochromy, or cryptic coloration, is a type of mimicry camouflage consisting of an animal or plant organism to resemble by colors the near environment

This cryptic strategy can allow an animal to hide from its predators or prey, and can thus offer an evolutionary advantage to its wearer. For a camouflage by shape, we talk about homomorphy. For camouflage by shape and color, we speak of homotypy.

Camouflage consists in imitating inanimate objects of the environment such as a stone (the case of stonefish), a leaf, a twig (the case of the phasms)... The largest species do not imitate a particular object but a tone, so the spotted robes of leopards melt into the bush. The zebra dress is particularly suitable for the visual system of its most dangerous predator, the lion.

Some species of tropical rainforests or marine forests have developed a capacity to change their colour to blend into their environment. This strategy can be both aggressive and defensive. This is the case, for example, of the geckos of Madagascar.