Which statement best defines mimicry in animal behavior?

• A. Mimicry is when animals evolve to resemble another organism.
• B. Mimicry is a behavioral adaptation to avoid predators.
• C. Mimicry is the process of biological cloning.
• D. Mimicry is a learning strategy among humans.

Answer: (A)

Mimicry is an evolutionary strategy in which an animal evolves to resemble another organism, gaining an advantage such as protection from predators or success in catching prey. That resemblance develops through natural selection over many generations, not through learning or cloning. The mimicry can involve appearances, sounds, or behaviors that signal to others to treat the mimic as something it is not. For example, a harmless snake may imitate the color pattern of a venomous species to discourage predators, or an insect may resemble a stinging wasp to deter attackers. Because it centers on evolved resemblance to another organism for a benefit, this definition best captures what mimicry is.