In the struggle for survival, animals have developed all sorts of ingenious ways to deceive or deter predators. One of the most striking strategies is having patterns on the body that resemble eyes or even an entire face. These ‘false faces’ can serve as camouflage, startle predators, or redirect an attack to a less vulnerable part of the body. Discover 9 animals that are masters of this form of visual deception.
1. The peacock butterfly has large ‘eyes’ on its wings
The peacock butterfly (Aglais io) is a well-known butterfly with beautiful markings. When it opens its wings, it reveals four large, striking eyespots, two on each wing. These spots strongly resemble the eyes of a larger animal, like an owl.
When a predator, such as a bird, approaches the butterfly, the peacock butterfly suddenly flicks its wings open. The sudden appearance of the large ‘eyes’ can startle the predator (deimatism) and scare it off, giving the butterfly a chance to escape.
2. Hawkmoth caterpillars resemble snakes
Some caterpillars of hawkmoths (family Sphingidae), such as the larva of the elephant hawkmoth (Deilephila elpenor), have a remarkable defense. They have large eyespots on the front of their bodies. When threatened, they retract their head and inflate this front part of their body.
This makes the eyespots look even larger and gives the caterpillar the appearance of a small snake. This can deter potential predators like birds, which prefer to avoid a confrontation with a snake.
3. The multi-spined angelfish has an eyespot near its tail
Many fish species, including the multi-spined angelfish (Centropyge multispinis) and other reef fish, have a conspicuous dark eyespot (‘ocellus’) at the rear of their body, often near the base of the tail fin. This false eye likely serves to confuse predators.
A predatory fish often targets the prey’s eye. The eyespot at the rear makes it seem as if the fish is swimming the other way, or it diverts the attack away from the vulnerable head towards the less vital tail, giving the prey a better chance of escape.
4. Some praying mantises have eye patterns on their wings
Praying mantises are masters of camouflage, but some species, like flower mantises, also have a ‘plan B’. When their camouflage fails and they are threatened, they can spread their forelegs and wings. The inner surface of the wings sometimes displays bright colors and striking eyespots.
This sudden display of color and ‘eyes’ (startle coloration) can surprise a predator and cause it to hesitate, giving the mantis time to get away.
5. The foureye butterflyfish has a false eyespot
The name says it all: the foureye butterflyfish (Chaetodon capistratus) appears to have four eyes. It has a real eye camouflaged by a dark vertical stripe across its head, and a large, conspicuous black eyespot at the rear of its body, just before its tail.
This serves, like in the angelfish, to mislead predators about the position of its head and the direction it will flee. The attack is directed towards the false eye at the rear.
6. The South American lanternfly has a ‘crocodile head’
One of the most bizarre examples is the lanternfly (Fulgora laternaria) from Central and South America. This insect has a large, hollow outgrowth on the front of its head that strongly resembles the head of a small caiman or crocodile, complete with fake eyes and fake teeth.
It is believed that this ‘false head’ serves to deter predators like birds or monkeys. If that doesn’t work, it can also flash open its wings, revealing large eyespots.
7. The caterpillar of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail
Like the elephant hawkmoth caterpillar, the larva of the Eastern Tiger Swallowtail (Papilio glaucus) has impressive eyespots on its body. These large, yellow-and-black spots look remarkably like the eyes of a snake.
When disturbed, the caterpillar inflates the front part of its body, making the ‘eyes’ bulge prominently and adopting a threatening, snake-like posture to ward off birds and other predators.
8. Some moths have eyespots for deterrence
Many moths (like species from the Saturniidae and Sphingidae families) have eyespots on their hindwings. During the day, they keep these wings concealed. If disturbed by a bird, for example, they suddenly flash their forewings open, revealing the large eyespots on the hindwings.
This sudden, threatening image can startle the predator, allowing the moth to escape. The spots often resemble the eyes of an owl, a natural enemy of many insectivorous birds.
9. The Brazilian Owlet Moth caterpillar has a complete ‘skull face’
The caterpillar of the Brazilian Owlet Moth (Oxytenis modestia) takes mimicry a step further. Its head and inflated front segments combine to form a pattern that looks terrifyingly like the head of a viper or even a small skull, complete with dark eye sockets and a nasal cavity.
This ‘mask’ camouflage is extremely effective at deterring predators looking to avoid a dangerous snake.
Visual Tricks for Survival
These animals demonstrate how effective visual deception can be in nature. By evolving patterns that resemble eyes or faces, they can startle or confuse predators, or misdirect attacks to less vulnerable body parts. It’s a fascinating example of the power of camouflage and mimicry in the constant struggle for survival.
