托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to discuss a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry.' Now, mimicry is when one species evolves to look or behave like another species, often to gain a survival advantage. There are two main types I want you to remember: protective mimicry and aggressive mimicry. In protective mimicry, a harmless species mimics a dangerous one to avoid being eaten. For example, the scarlet king snake is non-venomous, but it has the same red, yellow, and black banding as the deadly coral snake. Predators learn to avoid the coral snake, and so they also avoid the king snake, giving it protection. In aggressive mimicry, a predator mimics a harmless or attractive species to lure prey. Take the anglerfish, for instance. It has a fleshy appendage that dangles in front of its mouth, resembling a small worm. When smaller fish come close to inspect the 'worm,' the anglerfish snaps them up. So, in both cases, mimicry is a clever adaptation that improves survival—either by avoiding danger or by securing food.