Mimicry is like a self-defense mechanism for animals of any species. By mimicking other animals the mimicker avoids being preyed upon. There are many ways that predators or preys use mimicry. Colors is one way. Certain bugs blend with their environment so that birds don't eat them. For example a stick bug is long, thin, and brown. It looks like a stick on a tree. Odor is another way of either attracting preys or deflecting them. For example a sunk sprays a nasty odor when it feels threatened which in return scares off the predator. Some birds mock other bird calls to protect themselves. I'm sure there are other ways but I'm drawing a blank right now. :)