AY Honor Mimicry and Camouflage Requirements used by South American Division

Mimicry and Camouflage

Skill Level

1

Year

2025

Version

15.12.2025

Approval authority

South American Division

1. What is mimicry, what is camouflage, and what are their purposes?

2. Give at least one example of mimicry for each:

a. Insects

b. Birds

c. Reptiles

3. Give at least one example of camouflage for each:

a. Insects

b. Reptiles

c. Marine animals

4. Answer the following questions:

a. What is the advantage of the milk snake having colors practically identical to those of the coral snake?

b. In the animal world, who are the kings of camouflage on land and in the sea?

c. What is the shape of the eggs of the stick insect (Phibalosoma phyllinum)?

d. How do insects specializing in mimicry walk?

e. What are the advantages and disadvantages of insects that resemble leaves?

f. How does the assassin bug (Acanthaspis petax) hide from predators?

5. Give examples of animals that exhibit characteristics contrary to mimicry and explain why this happens in nature.

6. Illustrate the mimicry of the following species:

a. Orchid mantis (Hymenopus coronatus)

b. Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus)

c. Boie's frog (Proceratophrys boiei)

7. Watch videos or photographs/images that show the camouflage of the following species:

a. Mimic octopus

b. Goniurellia tridens

c. Lantern fly (Fulgora laternaria)