Vocabulary
What is mimicry?
The ability to look or act like something else
False. They happen in both plants and animals.
Why do you think the hoverfly mimics bees and wasps even though it is harmless?
The hoverfly mimics bees and wasps so predators will avoid it, even though it can’t sting.
Why do you think the author included both pictures and text about animal mimicry?
To help readers visualize the animals and understand the concepts more easily.
Which vocabulary word means categories of living things?
Species
What is self mimicry?
Self mimicry is when an animal mimics a part of its own body to protect itself or fool predators.
How might the poison dart frog’s bright colors affect animals that have never seen it before?
Predators may avoid the poison dart frog immediately because the bright colors warn of poison.
How does the author use details about specific animals, like hoverflies and poison dart frogs, to make the text more interesting?
Using specific animals makes the text more vivid, engaging, and helps readers understand real-life examples of mimicry.
What is the part of speech of the word environment?
noun
How do predators learn to avoid animals that use Müllerian mimicry?
Predators learn faster to avoid these animals because they see the warning colors on multiple species.
What can you infer about predators who see two poisonous animals that look alike (Müllerian mimicry)?
Predators will learn more quickly to avoid both animals because their similar appearance signals danger.
Why do you think an author would include several examples of animal mimicry in a story about survival?
Including multiple examples helps students understand the variety of survival strategies and emphasizes how mimicry works in nature.
What is the part of speech of the word arranged?
verb
How does the hoverfly behave like a bee, besides looking like one?
The hoverfly not only looks like a bee or wasp, but it also drinks nectar from flowers just like bees do.
How do you think a predator decides whether a brightly colored insect is dangerous or not?
The predator likely observes past experiences or instinctively avoids bright colors that signal danger.
Compare Batesian and self-mimicry
Batesian mimicry works by copying another species, while self-mimicry uses the animal’s own body