Some members of the animal world will go to great lengths to warn others of their danger. Some achieve this by using colour. The term aposematism was coined in 1890 by English scientist Edward Bagnall Poulton. The word means “the use by animals of a visible signal, such as bright colours or conspicuous markings, in order to alert predators of its toxicity.”
Consider the skunk. Its broad white stripe warns people not to get close. The graphic colours of the yellow-banded, poison dart frog warn about the toxins that its skin exudes. Wasps use the same colours to warn of a possible sting. Animals use the colours white, yellow and red to warn people. As with traffic signs, colourful markings warn motorists in the same way. For Chevron Kits, visit https://www.vehiclechevrons.com
Basic thinking behind aposematic colouration is that predators are able to learn. A bird that picks up an orange caterpillar, then gets sick afterward, is less likely than other birds to do the same thing again.
Animals with aposematism can communicate quickly by avoiding hiding and displaying themselves. Predators won’t waste their time on them because they know that it can be a dangerous or unpleasant experience.
Scientists call aposematic colouring an honest sign that something is toxic or unappealing. In most cases, brighter colouration and stronger defenses are associated with more deadly animals.
You can consider aposematism the opposite of camouflage. Animals that camouflage themselves protect themselves by not allowing them to be noticed, but animals with warning colours are more likely to want to be seen.
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