托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about how animals use camouflage, but not just for hiding from predators. A fascinating phenomenon is called 'disruptive coloration.' The main point is that some animals have patterns that break up their body outline, making it harder for predators or prey to recognize them as a single object. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the zebra. When zebras stand together in a herd, their black-and-white stripes create a confusing, flickering pattern. This makes it very difficult for a lion to single out one individual, especially during a chase. Second, the tiger has dark stripes that break up its orange body against the dappled light of the forest. Even when a tiger is still, its stripes mimic the shadows and sunbeams, so a deer may not notice it until it's too late. So, disruptive coloration works by visually breaking up the animal's shape into smaller, less recognizable parts.