There are lots of creatures out there who wear a disguise every day of the year, usually to avoid getting eaten. In the animal kingdom, this is called “mimicry” and it can be a pretty successful strategy to avoid predators (or, in a few exceptions, to lull prey into thinking you’re NOT a predator).
Without further ado, the winners of the 2015 Greenpeace Animal Costume Contest are…
Source: Yogendra Joshi/Wikimedia Commons
Scariest Costume: Ant-mimic Jumping Spider
There are over 300 types of spiders that mimic ants. Apparently in the bug world, ants are scarier than spiders, so palling up with them helps protect the hapless spider from things that want to eat it.
I’m sure in spider society this is absolutely terrifying, so I’ll award you the “Scariest Costume” even though you look ridiculous holding your legs above your head and pretending they’re antennae. Try harder next year, Spider.
Source: Parag Giri/Flickr
Grossest Costume: Macrocilix Maia Moth
This moth looks like two flies on bird poop.
I guess it’s probably pretty effective at deterring predators. I definitely wouldn’t eat this.
But ew. Enjoy your award for being disgusting, Moth.
Most Convincing Costume: Cinereous Mourner
See this caterpillar happily wriggling on a bed of leaves?
That’s totally a caterpillar, right? A big hairy caterpillar in bright colors that just scream “I’m toxic!” to predators.
Nope.
It’s not even an insect.
Full video
This cute little guy is a baby cinereous mourner, a species of bird that lives in the Amazon. Adults are a drab grayish color, but the helpless babies masquerade as poisonous caterpillars.
Here’s a close-up:
Photo credit: Santiago David Rivera
When I first saw this little guy wriggling around in his nest, I was 100% convinced I was looking at a caterpillar, right until he opened his tiny beak. Little Cinereous Mourner wins my prize for the most convincing costume and the most bad-ass avian haircut. Congratulations Mr. Mourner!
Source: Elias Levy/Wikimedia Commons
Overall Best Costume(s): Mimic Octopus
The mimic octopus can be whatever it wants to be. Observe the mimic in action, with comparison shots of the real animal:
A Flounder:
A lionfish:
Even a sea snake!
Whatever the situation calls for, the mimic octopus can become it. The only constant is its stripes.
Or not…
Full Video
You do you, Mimic Octopus. Or whatever it is you think you are. You win this (and every) year’s Animal Costume Contest.
Happy Halloween from all of us at Greenpeace USA!
