An animal's markings are often very important for survival. Many birds use their bright markings to attract a mate, while leopards take advantage of their spots to hide in the grass while hunting. Other creatures, like the chameleon, can change colour to blend in with the environment when hiding from predators. The mimic octopus, though, has a unique trait — it can change not only its colour, but also its shape and behaviour to disguise itself as several different marine animals.First discovered in 1998 off the coast of Indonesia, the mimic octopus is now well-recognised around the world as a master of mimicry. Naturally brown in colour, it can change its appearance to resemble crabs, sea snakes, jellyfish and several different species of poisonous fish. Whenever a predator approaches, the octopus transforms itself to scare the predator away. For example, if a damsel fish comes near, the octopus buries its body in the sand leaving just two striped legs on show — the two legs resemble the head and tail of a banded sea snake which is known to eat damsel fish.Having such a wondrous talent has meant there has been a lot of interest in the octopus since it first came to public attention. Some scientists are worried that this may put the octopus at risk as divers try to catch them for aquariums and collectors.

Select the correct answer.Which of the below is an example of mimicry that enables prey species avoid predation? A. a poisonous species warning others of danger through brightly colored markings B. a harmless organism imitating the look of a harmful organism C. a hard protective shell D. changing their coloration to blend in with their surroundings

Discuss the concept of mimicry in the context of ecological adaptations.

Some animals (e.g. leaf insect, peppered moth, stonefish) are able to . That is having the ability to blend in with the surroundings using colours &/or patterns so that they can hide from their predators.

Read the text.The octopus is one of the strangest creatures in the sea. For one thing, it has three hearts. One heart pumps blood to its organs, and the other two pump blood to its gills. Octopus blood itself is strange: while the blood of mammals is iron-based, an octopus's blood is copper-based. In chilly ocean depths, it turns out, copper distributes oxygen more efficiently than iron. In octopuses (yes, the plural "octopuses" is correct), the copper substance that binds to oxygen is called hemocyanin, and it makes octopus blood appear blue.The octopus is also highly intelligent—possibly the world's most intelligent invertebrate, in fact. (Invertebrates are animals that lack backbones.) Thanks to its large brain, an octopus can solve problems, dismantle things, and navigate mazes.Which author's purpose is suggested by the text?to inform readers about octopusesto convince readers that octopuses are strangeto inform readers about copper-based bloodSubmit

Review the text.The octopus is one of the strangest creatures in the sea. For one thing, it has three hearts. One heart pumps blood to its organs, and the other two pump blood to its gills. Octopus blood itself is strange: while the blood of mammals is iron-based, an octopus's blood is copper-based. In chilly ocean depths, it turns out, copper distributes oxygen more efficiently than iron. In octopuses (yes, the plural "octopuses" is correct), the copper substance that binds to oxygen is called hemocyanin, and it makes octopus blood appear blue.The octopus is also highly intelligent—possibly the world's most intelligent invertebrate, in fact. (Invertebrates are animals that lack backbones.) Thanks to its large brain, an octopus can solve problems, dismantle things, and navigate mazes.Which best shows that the author's purpose is to inform readers about octopuses?