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eyespots
📅 Updated:2022-08-16
🕒 Created:2022-08-16
🆔 ID:44338
Description
Eyespots are eye-like markings. They are found in butterflies, reptiles, cats, birds and fish.
The existence of eyespots could be explained in at least three different ways:
- They may be a form of mimicry in which a spot on the body of an animal resembles an eye of a different animal, to deceive potential predator or prey species;
- They may be a form of self-mimicry, to draw a predator's attention away from the prey's most vulnerable body parts;
- They may serve to make the prey appear inedible or dangerous.
Eyespot markings may play a role in intraspecies communication or courtship; the best-known example are probably the eyespots on a male peafowl's display feathers.
