Mimicry in biology is the advantageous resemblance of one species to another, often unrelated species or to a feature of its own habitat. Mimicry serves to protect the mimic from predators or to deceive its prey (e.g., ant-eating spiders that themselves resemble ants). Although most common among insects, mimicry occurs in both plants and animals.

Protective coloration in animals is a coloration or color pattern that facilitates escape from observation by predators or prey or serves as a warning device to predators or others of the same species. The most widespread form of protective coloration is called cryptic resemblance, in which the coloration and patterns on the skin of the animal enable it to blend in with the coloration of its habitat. In some animals the pigmentation changes to resemble the surrounding environment.