Strawberry Poison Dart Frog
Species principle: Strawberry Warning
Wear the red.
Make danger understand early.
Strawberry poison dart frogs use bright aposematic coloration to warn predators of chemical defenses.
Animal Qualities
Early Warning
Wear the red.
Animals grouped here express a similar quality through their behavior in nature. Each species still has its own principle, lesson, meaning, and field-guide page.
23 species
Striped Skunk
Species principle: Boundary
Warn before war.
The cleanest conflict is the one your warning prevents.
Striped Skunks usually warn before spraying. Tail raising, stamping, posture, and their bold stripe pattern give threats a chance to retreat before the skunk uses chemical defense.
Tomato Frog
Species principle: Visibility
Be seen as warning.
Being seen can be safer than trying to disappear.
Tomato Frogs use bright red-orange coloration and sticky defensive secretions to discourage predators. Their visible color can function as a warning signal.
Velvet Ant
Species principle: Aposematism
Wear the warning.
Bright warning saves energy by teaching the world not to touch.
Velvet Ants are wingless female wasps with bright warning coloration, tough bodies, stridulation, and powerful stings that deter predators.
Zorilla
Species principle: Warning
Show the stripe.
A clear signal can end trouble before strength is tested.
Zorillas, also called striped polecats, use bold black-and-white warning coloration and powerful anal scent glands to deter predators before direct conflict is needed.