托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry'—specifically, how certain species use mimicry not just for protection, but for hunting. The main point is that mimicry can be an active strategy for predators to gain an advantage over their prey. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the anglerfish. It lives in the deep, dark ocean where light is scarce. It has a special fin that glows and dangles in front of its mouth, mimicking a small, attractive worm or fish. When a curious prey fish swims closer to inspect the 'meal,' the anglerfish quickly snaps it up. Second, there's the orchid mantis. This insect lives in tropical areas and has a body that resembles a pink or white orchid flower. It sits motionless among real flowers, and when a bee or butterfly lands on it thinking it's a flower, the mantis grabs it with its powerful front legs. So, you see, in both cases, the predators use visual deception to lure their prey, turning mimicry into a hunting tool.