托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'safety in numbers.' This idea suggests that animals often gather in large groups not just for social reasons, but primarily for protection from predators. The main point is that being in a group can significantly reduce an individual's risk of being attacked. Let me give you two examples to illustrate this. First, consider schooling fish, like sardines. When a predator, such as a tuna, approaches, the sardines form a tight, swirling ball. This confuses the predator, making it difficult to target a single fish. The constant movement and the sheer number of fish create a visual blur, decreasing the predator's success rate. Second, think about wildebeests during their migration. When a lion tries to hunt, it often targets the young or weak. But in a large herd, the wildebeests can detect the predator quickly due to many eyes and ears. They also use the 'selfish herd' effect, where each individual tries to position itself in the center, pushing others to the edges, thus reducing its own risk. These examples clearly show how grouping provides a survival advantage.