Page 64 - Allah's Artistry in Colour

In South America, there
are many poisonous and
non-poisonous snakes
that share the same vivid
coloration. They are all
covered with yellow, red,
and black rings. They are
all called coral snakes.
Some of them, the true
coral snakes, are deadly.
Others, which are called
"false corals", only imitate
the poisonous ones. The
actual arrangement of the
coloured bands distin-
guishes one from the oth-
er. The false coral snakes
benefit from this similarity
and are protected from
their enemies. 34

A papilionida extends its red, antenna-like osmeterium (above), an organ that
some butterfly caterpillars release when they hear the enemy approaching. The
movement of this brightly coloured extension frightens small birds. 35