Question

Mimicry always involves a model and a mimic as well as a dupe or signal receiver (the organism the mimic is trying to fool). An example of Batesian mimicry is

• A. A walking stick (a herbivore) sitting on a branch of a tree
• B. A rat snake (nonpoisonous) that looks like a poisonous species
• C. An oppossum playing possum
• D. A spider that looks like an ant
• E. A flounder that blends in with the bottom to avoid being eaten

Answer 1

The correct option is B A rat snake (nonpoisonous) that looks like a poisonous species

Batesian mimicry refers to the resemblance of a harmless or palatable species with that of a dangerous or unpalatable one to make predators avoid them. It is opposite to Mullerian mimicry wherein dangerous, unpalatable, or poisonous species resemble one another to make predator recognize them easily. Rat snake is the nonpoisonous snake that vibrates their tails to trick predator as if they are the poisonous rattlesnake, exhibiting Batesian mimicry. None of the given options exhibit the defensive patterns of Batesian mimicry. Thus, the correct answer is option B.