托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'adaptive camouflage.' Now, adaptive camouflage is not just about blending in with the environment to hide from predators; it also serves as a means of communication and even hunting. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the cuttlefish. This marine animal can instantly change its skin color and texture to match its surroundings, but it also uses this ability to send signals to other cuttlefish. For instance, during mating, a male cuttlefish will display a striking pattern on one side of its body to attract a female, while keeping the other side camouflaged to avoid attracting predators. Second, think of the chameleon. While people often think chameleons change color solely for camouflage, they actually do it to regulate their body temperature—turning darker to absorb heat or lighter to reflect it. They also use bright colors to warn off rivals or to court a mate. So, adaptive camouflage is a multi-purpose tool.