Animal Mimicry Masters: These Creatures Imitate Others To Survive

(Photo : Pexels / Alen Kuzmanovic)

While mimicry generally refers to imitation, in the animal context, it refers to closely and externally resembling a different plant, animal, or inanimate object.

This mimicry could be auditory, olfactory, or visual imitation.

Animal Mimicry

Animal mimicry is essentially all about survival. The technique can be used to catch food or even avoid predation.

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Moths

Moths are defensive mimicry masters. Various species appear like different plants and animals. These moths may mimic frogs, wasps, owls, jumping spiders, curled dead leaves, cicadas, mantis, and several other species.

Though several of them make use of coloring and body shape, others have some evolved eyespots on the wings that make them look like they are bigger. These eyespots also serve a protective purpose, as predators do not like attacking prey that appears to look back at them.

Some species may also mimic other moth species' sounds in order to protect themselves against predators that do not like the taste of the mimicked species.

Caterpillar

Because caterpillars are moths and butterflies in the larval stage, they need to ensure their survival. Hence, to such an end, these caterpillars have come up with various mimicry hacks.

They may take the appearance of small branches, as well as other plant parts. They also have markings that may make them look similar to baby snakes. There is also a case where they evolved to appear like bird droppings over a leaf.

Robber Fly

Robber flies look nearly identical to bumblebees. They make use of such resemblance to feast on wasps, actual bees, and other assorted bugs.

Different species of Robber flies could resemble various species. They all make use of such mimicry to lure prey.

Mantis

Various mantis species may look like a mix of plants and their parts. Some look like sticks or dead leaves, while others have the appearance of a small shoot with leaves.

They all make use of such disguises in order to avoid predators, though such imitations may also come in handy for prey-catching.

Stick Bug

As its name implies, stick bugs have evolved to resemble a stick's appearance. All over the world, around 3,000 species of stick bugs can be found.

Hence, not every stick insect may have the same appearance. This is also due to the variety of tree appearances. These bugs could also have different sizes, with the largest one spanning 21 inches.

Viceroy Butterflies

Over time, Viceroy butterflies have evolved to look like Monarch Butterflies, which are not very tasty insects. While their markings are not a total match, the Viceroy butterfly's imitation is sufficient for its survival.

Monarch butterflies typically lay eggs over Milkweed plants, which most insects find toxic. However, the Monarch butterfly was able to adapt, and its larvae could eat milkweed.

Because of this, they become toxic to birds that eat them. Such a trait is passed on when they end up pupating into butterflies. Birds have learned that they should avoid eating Monarchs as this could make them feel sick.

Viceroy butterflies capitalize on this system by making themselves look like Monarchs.