How do animals defend themselves in the wild by appearing to be something they're not?

Answer 1

Animal Defense Mechanisms that involve 'fake' tactics

Lizards such as the gecko and skink are able to fake injury and loss of limbs As the tail wiggles on its own , it distracts the predator from the main entrée; The lizard can then run off and grow back its limbs later on, in safety. Many Octopi have a similar talent- faking an arm amputation while swimming off in the opposite direction.

At the Sriracha Zoo in Chonburi, Thailand, A female Tiger who had lost her cubs nursed fake offspring- piglets adorned in tiger-print costumes.

Possums fake death. 'Playing possum' is a well known animal defense mechanism . When fear sets in the opossum produces biochemicals that induce a near coma, and release a foul 'deathly' smell from the anus. What self-respecting predator would want to eat yesterday's leftover lunch meat?

Puffer Fish are small spiky marine organisms that canblow up to 300% their size when they are scary-going from tennis ball to a spiked Basketball within seconds. Although it looks scary it's fake. The fish is just full of hot air.