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 how certain animals use mimicry not to hide from predators, but to deceive their prey or even their own species. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the anglerfish. This deep-sea creature has a fleshy growth on its head that glows due to bioluminescence. The light attracts smaller fish, which mistake it for a tasty snack. When they come close, the anglerfish snaps them up. So here, mimicry is used as a hunting tool. Second, think about the cleaner wrasse, a small fish that removes parasites from larger fish. Some species, like the saber-toothed blenny, mimic the cleaner wrasse's appearance and swimming pattern. Larger fish approach the blenny expecting to be cleaned, but instead, the blenny takes a bite out of their fins and flees. In both cases, the mimicry is aggressive—it's about gaining an advantage over another organism, whether through predation or deception.