Camouflage is a method of concealment that allows an otherwise visible animal, military vehicle, or other object to remain unnoticed by blending with its environment. Examples include a leopard's spotted coat, the battledress of a modern soldier and a leaf-mimic butterfly. Camouflage is a form of visual deception; the term probably comes from camouflet, a French term meaning smoke blown in someone's face as a practical joke. Military camouflage is part of a broad area of deception and concealment from all means of detection including sound and radar, and involving non-camouflage techniques such as use of decoys and electronic jamming.

According to Charles Darwin's theory of Natural Selection, characteristics such as camouflage that help an animal to survive will tend to evolve in any population.

Camouflage, whether in animals or in military use, can be achieved in different ways, including the apparent opposites Mimesis - being seen, but resembling something else, and Crypsis - being hidden. In both cases, however, camouflage is achieved not by actual invisibility, but by not being noticed. A third approach, Dazzle, found military application in the 20th century.

Camouflage is not the only form of Animal coloration that helps animals to survive. Other adaptations include Warning coloration, non-concealing forms of Mimicry (as when a harmless Hoverfly resembles a stinging Wasp), the use of bright colours in Sexual selection, and the use of pigment in the skin to protect against sunburn.