Mimicry: what is this?

Mimicry is a term used in biologyfor the designation of animals that belong to different species, but differ surprising external resemblance. In addition, mimicry refers to the property of animals to merge with inanimate objects, as well as all cases of imitative coloring. In this article we will tell in more detail what mimicry is and give examples of this phenomenon.

Mimicry of color

Mimicry of color is considered by many scientistsa sign of evolution. Animals changed color over time, adjusting to the environment, to be able to hide from predators or, on the contrary, stealthily track down victims. Indeed, most Arctic animals are white, as well as the surrounding snow-covered terrain, and the "inhabitants" of deserts are sandy shades, and it concerns not only insects, but also large species - camels, lions, antelopes. This pattern is observed not only on the earth's surface, but also in the sea, many inhabitants of the depths have a color of the bottom and practically do not differ from it.

An excellent example of mimicry in animalsThe hare-rabbit, which changes color from gray to white, when winter comes. This feature allows an animal to equally well hide from predators in both summer and winter.

Mimicry of color is also characteristic of plants. As you know, there are predator plants that feed on insects, their mimicry is a bright color, on which various insects fly with special joy.

Mimicry forms

This type of mimicry is most typicalinsects. One of the most famous examples of such mimicry is an insect called a stick: here it is clear from the name, under whom this insect is copied - even at close examination it is difficult to distinguish it from the usual twig. Also a fairly well-known example is the butterfly moth, which has a woody coloring and is practically invisible on the trunk.

Mimicry of sound

Mimicry of sound is used as one of the ways to deter predators. This type of mimicry is most common among birds. So, for example, a bird Rabbit owl can mimic the hiss of a snake.

Collective mimicry

Biology is known and such phenomenon ascollective mimicry, in this case several animals / insects / plants come together to reproduce a frightening image or, on the contrary, to provide themselves with a better disguise. Often caterpillars use this method of mimicry.

Find more interesting facts and phenomena of nature in the section Biology.