托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry.' Specifically, I want to focus on a type of mimicry known as 'aggressive mimicry,' where a predator or parasite uses appearance or behavior to lure its prey or host. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the anglerfish. It lives in the deep, dark ocean where food is scarce. The female anglerfish has a fleshy appendage on its head that glows with bioluminescent light. This light attracts smaller fish, which mistake it for a tasty meal. When they get close, the anglerfish snaps them up. Second, think of the orchid mantis. This insect resembles a pink or white flower. It sits on plants and waits patiently. When a pollinator, like a bee or butterfly, approaches to feed on what it thinks is a flower, the mantis quickly grabs and eats it. In both cases, the predator uses deception to exploit the natural instincts of its prey, ensuring its own survival in challenging environments.