Mimicry and CamouflageMimicry and Camouflage

By Monika and NicoleBy Monika and Nicole

Why do animals use Why do animals use mimicry and camouflage?mimicry and camouflage?

SurvivalSurvival Capture prey or hide Capture prey or hide

from predatorsfrom predators Live longer to be old Live longer to be old

enough to reproduceenough to reproduce Protect eggs / young Protect eggs / young

from predatorsfrom predators

How does mimicry work?How does mimicry work?

Majority use mimicry to Majority use mimicry to escape their predatorsescape their predators

Take appearance of other Take appearance of other animalsanimals

Use mimicry to startle their Use mimicry to startle their prey or create false targetprey or create false target

Usually mimic poisonous or Usually mimic poisonous or dangerous animals (harder to dangerous animals (harder to catch)catch)

Some eggs use mimicrySome eggs use mimicryhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=ygh1-ul6E94v=ygh1-ul6E94

How does camouflage How does camouflage work?work?

Camouflage used by Camouflage used by animals to hide from animals to hide from predators and preypredators and prey

Many animals have Many animals have colourings of their colourings of their surroundings but some surroundings but some change colour to match change colour to match surroundings and texture surroundings and texture of their surroundingsof their surroundings

Some animals change Some animals change colours for different colours for different seasonsseasons

How camouflage works How camouflage works (continued)(continued)

animals that change colour animals that change colour have skin cells of every colour have skin cells of every colour that they can change size of that they can change size of to appear one certain colour to appear one certain colour

Some changes occur faster Some changes occur faster than others depending on the than others depending on the animalanimal

Some animals two toned Some animals two toned depending on the light from a depending on the light from a certain anglecertain angle

VideoVideo

Why does mimicry work Why does mimicry work so well?so well?

Many animals learn to Many animals learn to avoid a certain plant or avoid a certain plant or animal from on animal from on experienceexperience

Animals also won’t risk Animals also won’t risk attacks against deadly / attacks against deadly / more dangerous animalsmore dangerous animals

(hawk moth appears to (hawk moth appears to be a snake when it’s a be a snake when it’s a caterpillar)caterpillar)

Why does camouflage Why does camouflage work so well?work so well?

Since many animals Since many animals use camouflage they use camouflage they appear to be invisible appear to be invisible to their predator or to their predator or preyprey

Allowing a change of Allowing a change of colour is even more colour is even more affective for two affective for two toned areastoned areas

DefinitionsDefinitions

Mimicry: An anti-predatory device where Mimicry: An anti-predatory device where a species copies the appearance, sound a species copies the appearance, sound or form of a model species in order to or form of a model species in order to survive. survive.

Camouflage: A survival technique in Camouflage: A survival technique in which an otherwise visible organism may which an otherwise visible organism may be unseen or indiscernible from its be unseen or indiscernible from its surrounding environment. surrounding environment.

Definitions ContinuedDefinitions Continued

Batesian Mimicry: A type of mimicry Batesian Mimicry: A type of mimicry where the mimic resembles a model where the mimic resembles a model species that has spines, stingers, toxic species that has spines, stingers, toxic chemicals or another form of defense chemicals or another form of defense from predators. The mimic has none of from predators. The mimic has none of these. these.

Definitions ContinuedDefinitions Continued

Muellerian Mimicry: A type of mimicry Muellerian Mimicry: A type of mimicry where an entire group of organisms bear where an entire group of organisms bear similar markings or colours that similar markings or colours that distinguish them as inedible by predators. distinguish them as inedible by predators. This means that every species with this This means that every species with this appearance is unpalatable or toxic, not appearance is unpalatable or toxic, not just one model species. just one model species.

Definitions continuedDefinitions continued

Chromatophores: Pigment containing or Chromatophores: Pigment containing or light reflecting cells that generate colour light reflecting cells that generate colour in certain animals. Chromatophores in in certain animals. Chromatophores in camouflaging animals (like chameleons) camouflaging animals (like chameleons) change size and shape (by the muscles change size and shape (by the muscles surrounding it) creating different colours surrounding it) creating different colours in the animals skin. in the animals skin.

sourcessources

http://http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/animal-animal-facts/animal-camouflage3.htmcamouflage3.htm

http://http://www.biologyreference.com/www.biologyreference.com/Ma-Mo/Mimicry-Camouflage-Ma-Mo/Mimicry-Camouflage-and-Warning-Coloration.htmland-Warning-Coloration.html

http://www.greenwing.org/http://www.greenwing.org/teachersguide/fall00activity/teachersguide/fall00activity/fall00ma.htmlfall00ma.html

http://http://rainforests.mongabay.com/rainforests.mongabay.com/0306.htm0306.htm