托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon in animal behavior called 'biological mimicry.' Specifically, I want to focus on a type called 'aggressive mimicry,' where a predator or parasite imitates a harmless or attractive signal to lure its prey. The key point is that this strategy increases the predator's hunting success by exploiting the prey's natural responses. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the anglerfish. It lives in the dark depths of the ocean. It has a glowing lure that protrudes from its head, which looks like a small, edible worm. Smaller fish are attracted to the light and come closer, thinking it's food. When they get near, the anglerfish quickly snaps them up. Second, think about the bolas spider. Instead of spinning a web, it releases a chemical that mimics the pheromone of a female moth. Male moths, seeking a mate, fly toward the scent. As they approach, the spider swings a sticky 'bolas'—a thread with a glue droplet—and catches the moth. In both cases, the predator uses a false signal—visual or chemical—to trick the prey into approaching, making capture easier.