Mimicry
- To look, act, smell or sound like something else, such as another organism or other natural object, it is a form of deception practiced by a variety of animals, to gain some advantage of protections. For many animals, including insects and spiders, a key problem is how to eat without being eaten. By mimicking something else, they gain some protection and increase their chances of survival.
- In the Insects and Spiders world, the term mimicry is commonly applied to the resemblance of one insect or spider (called the mimic) to another (called the model) so that a third insect or other observer is deceived into confusing the two.
- Comparing mimicry with camouflage or deceptive behavior, animals that are protected by mimicry are the most cost effective. They do not have to change their behavior or stay against a safe background to disguise themselves. Their appearance tell their predator to keep away. They can go about their daily life with extra protections.
