Found in West African jungles, the camouflaging viper bitis rhinocerosowes its master of disguise to reflective white- and brown scales.

This natural phenomenon intrigued German scientists to investigate the ultra darkness attributes that lies behind the black spots.

Findings revealed tight leaf-looking microstructures were covered in nanometre-sized ridges.                                                                                                                 

“The structure-based velvet black effect could also be potentially transferred to other materials,” scientists wrote in Scientific Reports.

Useful for the development of specialised optical systems or solar heat capture, the attributes of high absorption and low reflection in natural snake scales – corresponding with nanotechnology – can improve light absorption in the artificial recreation.

Scientists said: “The micro-ornamentation on the snake’s velvet black scales is a further example that the same physical law applies to both nature and technology and leads consequently to similar constructions.”