Sometimes, inspiration for a new book comes from the most unexpected places. While some books require months of planning, my most recent one was not only quick to write but also incredibly fun. The idea hit me like a flash of lightning, all thanks to a scientific article about caterpillars.
The topic? The fascinating and surprisingly common world of animals that protect themselves by looking like bird droppings. I confess, I love the catchy title we came up with!
A Lesson in Deception: Masquerade vs. Mimicry
You might notice that in the book, I use the term “masquerade” instead of mimicry or camouflage. As a biologist, I find the distinction fascinating!
- Camouflage is when an animal tries to blend in with its background, like a lizard on a tree trunk.
- Mimicry is when a harmless animal looks like a more dangerous one, such as the tasty viceroy butterfly evolving to look like the toxic monarch butterfly.
- Masquerade is when animals pretend to be something completely inedible and uninteresting, like a twig, a stone, or in this case, bird poop!
These animals aren’t hiding at all. In fact, they live dangerously out in the open on a leaf or branch, relying on their unappetizing appearance to keep them safe.
A Brilliant, Bird-Dropping Disguise
I was worried I wouldn’t find enough creatures for a whole book, but I was pleasantly surprised by the number of animals that use this clever defense. Many people know that swallowtail butterfly caterpillars are masters of this disguise, but did you know there are also spiders and even frogs that pull off this look?
It seems that bird droppings are not a favorite food for most predators. This strategy is especially important during the animals’ vulnerable growth stages when they are most at risk. And it works! Scientists have confirmed that animals masquerading as bird droppings have a much lower rate of being eaten.
I truly hope you and your young readers enjoy Don’t Call Me Poop! as much as I enjoyed writing it.
Ready to dive into the weird and wonderful world of animal defenses? Grab your copy of Don’t Call Me Poop! today!