Bowerbirds create stages that make them look bigger to potential partners. Fish and butterflies can flash what looks like a large, staring eye to intimidate predators or deflect attacks. Male peacock spiders raise their legs as part of a courtship ritual to make them seem much larger than they actually are.
These are just some of the strategies that help these animals survive and reproduce. They raise a fascinating question: Are animals fooled by optical illusions?
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