ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Deception in animals

Animals sometimes pretend to be something that they are not in order to catch their prey or to protect themselves from danger. This trickery is called deception.

For example, some animals can change their color or shape to blend in with their surroundings. This makes them almost invisible to their prey or predators. Some animals mimic other creatures or plants to avoid being eaten. They try to fool predators into thinking they are harmful or toxic.

Other animals use fake displays to defend their territory, attract a mate or scare off a competitor. They might flash their colors or make loud and intimidating sounds.

Deception in animals is a way to survive in a world where you constantly have to be on the lookout for danger. It allows animals to gain an advantage over their rivals and to avoid being a victim themselves.

So the next time you see an animal acting strange, it might not always be what it seems. It could be using a clever trick to stay alive!
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