Camouflage and Mimicry By: Michael Shulman and Eli Miloff

What is Camouflage?

 The act, means, or result of concealment that allows otherwise visible animals to remain unnoticed by blending in with their environment

Camouflage

 Camouflage is essentially a form of visual mimicry, where the species mimics its environment

Camouflage  Camouflage is essentially a form of visual mimicry, where the species mimics its environment  According to Natural Selection, camouflage is a characteristic increases a species chance of survival and reproduction and therefor is passed on

Camouflage

What is Mimicry?  Mimicry: A structural adaptation in which a harmless species resembles a harmful species in color or structure (Textbook)  The similarities of one species to another which protects one or both

3 Types of Mimicry  Batesian Mimicry  Muellerian Mimicry  Self Mimicry

Batesian Mimicry  When two or more species are similar in appearance, but only one is equipped with spines, stingers, or toxic chemistry

Meullerian Mimicry  When two unpalatable (distasteful, indigestible) species are mimics of each other with conspicuous coloration

Self Mimicry  When animals have a certain structural body part that mimics bigger and more intimidating animals during an attack to aid their survival

Example of Camouflage  Here is an example of Camouflage demonstrated by the Peacock Flounder: ated

Video of the Peacock Flounder

Cuttlefish Mimicking Chess Board

The Mimic Octopus  he-incredible-mimic-octopus he-incredible-mimic-octopus

Mimesis  An intermediate process between camouflage and mimicry  Mimesis : The process in which the mimic takes on the properties of a specific organism  This means the species is seen by predator but is mistaken for another organism

Class Activity  Identifying Poisonous Snakes

Signs of a Poisonous Snake

 Triangular shaped head

Signs of a Poisonous Snake  Triangular shaped head  Fangs

Signs of a Poisonous Snake  Triangular shaped head  Fangs  Elliptical (egg) Shaped pupils

Signs of a Poisonous Snake  Triangular shaped head  Fangs  Elliptical (egg) Shaped pupils  Presence of a rattle on the tail

Signs of a Poisonous Snake  Triangular shaped head  Fangs  Elliptical (egg) Shaped pupils  Presence of a rattle on the tail  Varying colors

Signs of a Poisonous Snake  Triangular shaped head  Fangs  Elliptical (egg) Shaped pupils  Presence of a rattle on the tail  Varying colors  Most solid colour snakes are harmless

Signs of a Poisonous Snake  Watch out for mimics

Signs of a Poisonous Snake  Watch out for mimics  There are a variety of non-poisonous snakes that mimic the patterns and behaviors or poisonous snakes

BONUS  Q: What type of mimicry is this?

BONUS  Q: What type of mimicry is this?  A: Batesian Mimicry

Identifying Poisonous Snakes