by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author

All animals evolved to be the way that they are out of needing ways to protect themselves or adapt to their surroundings, in order to survive!

One thing lots of animals rely on for survival is the way they look. For example, many animals have certain colors or patterns on their bodies because it helps them to camouflage and be harder for a predator to spot! In the case of the ladybug, the spots help them to look less tasty to potential predators like birds who might want to eat them! Although you and I might think the spots on the ladybug make them look interesting or pretty, it makes birds or other animals think that the ladybug will be poisonous! (Which sometimes it is).




Spotty stuff!

What are some other bugs or animals that also have spots? There are cheetahs, leopards, and certain butterflies, just to name a few! Can you think of any plants that have spots? Just like ladybugs, some plants might have spots to warn you not to eat them!

Do you know of some other animals who have special ways of warning other animals not to eat them? One great example is the firefly – the firefly's glow is a message to other critters to “bug off”! To learn more about fireflies and their special glow, click here!