Mimicry and Camouflage

1. Mimicry and Mimicry and
CamouflageCamouflage
By Monika and NicoleBy Monika and Nicole

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

3. How does mimicry How does mimicry
work?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 mimicry
http://www.youtube.com/watch?http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ygh1-ul6E94v=ygh1-ul6E94

4. 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

5. 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

6. Why does mimicry Why does mimicry
work so well?work 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)

7. 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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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 distinguish them as inedible by
predators. This means that every species predators. This means that every species
with this appearance is unpalatable or with this appearance is unpalatable or
toxic, not just one model species. toxic, not just one model species.

11. 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.

12. sourcessources
http://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/animal-camouflage3.htmhttp://animals.howstuffworks.com/animal-facts/animal-camouflage3.htm
http://www.biologyreference.com/Ma-Mo/Mimicry-Camouflage-and-Warning-Coloration.htmlhttp://www.biologyreference.com/Ma-Mo/Mimicry-Camouflage-and-Warning-Coloration.html
http://www.greenwing.org/teachersguide/fall00activity/fall00ma.htmlhttp://www.greenwing.org/teachersguide/fall00activity/fall00ma.html
http://rainforests.mongabay.com/0306.htmhttp://rainforests.mongabay.com/0306.htm