Distraction Animal coloration
a praying mantis in deimatic or threat pose displays conspicuous patches of colour startle potential predators. not warning coloration insect palatable.
startle
some animals such many moths, mantises , grasshoppers, have repertory of threatening or startling behaviour, such displaying conspicuous eyespots or patches of bright , contrasting colours, scare off or momentarily distract predator. gives prey animal opportunity escape. behaviour deimatic (startling) rather aposematic these insects palatable predators, warning colours bluff, not honest signal.
motion dazzle
some prey animals such zebra marked high-contrast patterns possibly confuse predators, such lions, during chase. bold stripes of herd of running zebra have been claimed make difficult predators estimate prey s speed , direction accurately, or identify individual animals, giving prey improved chance of escape. since dazzle patterns (such zebra s stripes) make animals harder catch when moving, easier detect when stationary, there evolutionary trade-off between dazzle , camouflage. theory zebra s stripes provide protection flies , biting insects.
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