Camouflage and MimicryBy: Michael Shulman and Eli Miloff

What is Camouflage?

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 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:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__XA6B41SQQ&feature=related

Video of the Peacock Flounder

Cuttlefish Mimicking Chess Board

The Mimic Octopus http://www.videobash.com/video_show/t

he-incredible-mimic-octopus-399991

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

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

Identifying Poisonous Snakes

POISONOUS

Identifying Poisonous Snakes

Identifying Poisonous Snakes

NON-POISONOUS

Identifying Poisonous Snakes

Identifying Poisonous Snakes

POISONOUS

Identifying Poisonous Snakes

Identifying Poisonous Snakes

NON-POISONOUS

Identifying Poisonous Snakes

Identifying Poisonous Snakes

POISONOUS