Deception in Animals: Why They Do It and How They Do It

 Speaker: Eldridge Adams 

Link: https://www.ted.com/talks/eldridge_adams_can_animals_be_deceptive#t-93387 

Eldridge Adams focuses on the complexity of deception in animals by describing several animals from different species. The deception in animals occurs in different ways based on the purposes and the genus. Some of the main reasons why animals are deceptive are to attract a mating partner, obtain food, and evade a predator. The level of deception in the animal kingdom is complex and seems to evolve as a way of manipulation. Some of the common forms of deception are camouflaging, mimicry, and enticements. Some of the behavioral traits are associated with the production of pheromones to deceive the targeted species. The complexity in deception among animals can only be explained based on the observed behaviors because animals cannot express their thoughts. Behavioral biologists are yet to understand most of the reasons behind the deception in animals. 

The information about deception among animals is essential in society to guide people on their interaction with animal. Human-animal relationships constitute one of the significant components in the ecosystem due to the similarity which calls for co-existence. The behavioral scientist must strive to understand the complexity of deception and the roles that humans can play as members of the animal kingdom. The information on animal deception helps humans to understand their position on earth and some the activities that affect animals. Some human activities worldwide affect the level of animal deception due to lack of knowledge about the survival tactics of animals. Scientists should focus on understanding and publishing the information on animal deception to promote co-existence and natural survival of animals. 

Adams answers the question of whether animals are deceptive. Animals are deceptive, but the complexity remains a question of research to behavioral scientists. In the TED Talk, he describes several examples of animals who express different forms of deceptions for specific reasons. Adams describes the deception of a firefly to attract a mate for reproduction. The male firefly emits some flashes to attract the female who is expected to respond by producing similar flashes. Deception in animals is used as a mode of preying. A female firefly from a different species emits similar patterns of flashes which deceives the male but ends up as a meal. According to behavioral biologists, there are three principles of deception that work between the deceiver and the receptionist. The laws are; the receiver must be misled, deceiver must benefit, and deception can never be an accident. Camouflage is a common practice in society to evade similarly in animals to avoid the predator. The gecko lizard changes its body color to resemble that of the resting surfaces. Mimicry is a form of deception adopted by some snakes that change the skin color to resemble corals. Some species of orchids resemble and produce a smell similar to the female wasps to lure the male for pollination. The deceiver anticipates the reactions of other animals to change according to the intensity of danger. For example, the chameleon changes faster the color to that of the suffering when a dangerous predator such as the snake than in the presence of the birds. Some insects deceive fellow species by using buffs to scare away especially at a prone stage of life. In behavioral science, deception can be studied by watching and analyzing the behavior of animals to manipulate and obtain food. 

Reference  

Adam, Eldridge (2018, December).  Ted Talk – Can animals be deceptive? [Video file]. Retrieved from  https://www.ted.com/talks/eldridge_adams_can_animals_be_deceptive#t-93387