托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry'—specifically, how certain animals use mimicry to survive in their environments. Now, mimicry isn't just about looking like another animal; it can also involve behavior or even sound. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the monarch butterfly. It is toxic to predators because it feeds on milkweed, which contains toxins. The viceroy butterfly, which is not toxic, has evolved to look almost identical to the monarch. Birds that have learned to avoid the monarch also avoid the viceroy, giving it protection. Second, think about the mimic octopus. This creature can change its color, shape, and movement to imitate dangerous animals like sea snakes or lionfish. For instance, when threatened, it will mimic a sea snake by hiding six of its arms and waving the remaining two in a sinuous motion, which scares off potential predators. So, in both cases, mimicry provides a survival advantage by deceiving predators.