ADAPTATION
Mimicry & Camouflage

Camouflaged animals blend with their environment, helping them hide from predators or ambush their prey. Unwary victims of the stonefish may mistake it for a pile of algae-encrusted rubble - until it suddenly attacks them. In another strategy common on the reef, mimicry, one organism impersonates another. Many animals mimic more dangerous species to avoid attack. The aggressive false cleanerfish, however, mimics a harmless cleaner wrasse. When its victims offer themselves to be cleaned, the imposter instead bites off chunks of their flesh.