托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'behavioral adaptation through mimicry.' Now, mimicry isn't just about looking like another animal—it can also involve behavior. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the harmless milk snake. It mimics the color patterns of the venomous coral snake. But what's interesting is that the milk snake also mimics the coral snake's behavior: when threatened, it shakes its tail and coils its body in a way that mimics the coral snake's defensive display. This behavioral mimicry makes predators think twice before attacking. Second, think about the juvenile Australian bird, the superb lyrebird. It doesn't mimic a predator directly; instead, it mimics the alarm calls of other bird species. When a predator approaches, the lyrebird produces a mix of alarm calls, which confuses the predator and alerts other birds. This behavior increases its chances of survival. So, the main point is that mimicry can involve not just appearance, but also behavior, and these behavioral adaptations help animals survive in their environments.