托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about how animals use camouflage, but not just for hiding from predators. Camouflage can also be used for hunting. This is called aggressive mimicry. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the leaf-mimicking praying mantis. This insect has a body that looks exactly like a green leaf, including veins and even spots that look like damage. It sits motionless on plants, and when a smaller insect, like a fly, comes near, thinking it's just a leaf, the mantis strikes quickly and catches it. The camouflage helps the mantis get close to its prey without being noticed. Second, think about the anglerfish, which lives in the deep, dark ocean. It has a special fin that acts like a fishing rod with a glowing lure at the tip. Small fish are attracted to the light, thinking it's something to eat. When they come close to investigate, the anglerfish opens its huge mouth and swallows them. So in both cases, the animal's appearance or body part is used not to hide from enemies, but to trick and capture prey.