托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry' — specifically, how some animals use mimicry not just to hide from predators, but to actively attract prey. This is called 'aggressive mimicry.' The key point is that these animals resemble something harmless or attractive to their prey, allowing them to get close enough to strike. Let me give you two examples. First, the anglerfish. It lives in the deep, dark ocean. It has a glowing lure that dangles in front of its mouth, which looks like a small, tasty fish. Smaller fish are attracted to the light and come close, thinking it's food. But as soon as they get near, the anglerfish snaps them up. Second, consider the orchid mantis. This insect looks exactly like a pink or white orchid flower. It sits on a plant, and pollinating insects, like bees and butterflies, land on it thinking it's a real flower. Then, the mantis quickly grabs them and eats them. In both cases, the predator uses a deceptive appearance to lure prey within reach.