托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry.' Mimicry is when one species evolves to resemble another species, often to gain a survival advantage. There are two main types: protective mimicry and aggressive mimicry. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the harmless milk snake. It has evolved to look very much like the venomous coral snake. Both have red, yellow, and black bands, but in different orders. Predators avoid the milk snake because they mistake it for the dangerous coral snake. This is protective mimicry—it helps the milk snake avoid being eaten. Second, think of the anglerfish, which lives in the deep ocean. It has a special lure that dangles in front of its mouth, and this lure looks like a small fish. When other fish come to investigate the 'prey,' the anglerfish snaps them up. This is aggressive mimicry—it helps the predator catch its food. So, whether it's to avoid being eaten or to catch prey, mimicry is a powerful adaptation.