托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to discuss a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry,' where one species evolves to resemble another for survival. There are two main types: defensive mimicry, where the mimic gains protection from predators, and aggressive mimicry, where the mimic uses resemblance to lure prey. Let me give you two examples to clarify. First, consider the harmless milk snake. It has evolved to look like the venomous coral snake, with similar red, yellow, and black banding. Predators, having learned to avoid the coral snake, also avoid the milk snake, giving it protection—this is defensive mimicry. Second, think of the anglerfish. It has a fleshy growth on its head that glows and wiggles like a small worm. When smaller fish approach to eat what they think is a worm, the anglerfish quickly snaps them up. Here, the anglerfish uses aggressive mimicry to trick its prey into coming close. So, mimicry is a powerful adaptation that can either hide you from enemies or help you catch a meal, depending on the species' needs.