Eyespots are eye-like markings. They are found in butterflies, reptiles, cats, birds and fish.

The existence of eyespots could be explained in at least three different ways:

• They may be a form of mimicry in which a spot on the body of an animal resembles an eye of a different animal, to deceive potential predator or prey species;

• They may be a form of self-mimicry, to draw a predator's attention away from the prey's most vulnerable body parts;

• They may serve to make the prey appear inedible or dangerous.

Eyespot markings may play a role in intraspecies communication or courtship; the best-known example are probably the eyespots on a male peafowl's display feathers.

Eyespot (mimicry) - From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia