Last summer as I walked through Sabino Canyon, in the desert near Tucson, Arizona, a colorful snake crossed my path. In nature, bright colors often mean danger, particularly venomous danger. As it turned out, the snake was one of those kinds of creatures nature imbued with a color pattern to imitate that of its poisonous kin. Hence, we find in reptiles colors switched and patterns rearranged so that the non-venomous give their enemies the impression that they are more dangerous than they actually are.

Jeffrey C Alfier
Bonfire contributor