 The presence of bold skin markings does not in itself prove that an animal relies on camouflage , as that depends on its behaviour . For example , although giraffes have a high contrast pattern that could be disruptive coloration , the adults are extremely conspicuous when in the open . Some authors have argued that adult giraffes are cryptic , since when standing among trees and bushes they are hard to see at even a few metres ' distance . However , adult giraffes move about to gain the best view of an approaching predator , relying on their size and ability to defend themselves , even from lions , rather than on camouflage . A different explanation is implied by the fact that young giraffes are far more vulnerable to predation than adults : more than half of all giraffe calves die within a year , and giraffe mothers hide their calves , which spend much of the time lying down in cover while their mothers are away feeding . Since the presence of a mother nearby does not affect survival , it is argued that young giraffes must be extremely well camouflaged ; this is supported by the fact that coat markings are strongly inherited . 
