托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about how animals use camouflage not just to hide from predators, but also to communicate. One key concept is 'disruptive coloration,' where bold patterns break up an animal's outline, making it harder to recognize. For example, the zebra's black-and-white stripes create a visual confusion for predators, especially when the herd moves together. But here's the interesting part: zebras also use their stripes to signal to each other. When a zebra flicks its tail or turns its head, the stripes shift, helping herd members coordinate their movements without making loud noises, which could attract predators. Another example is the cuttlefish, which can rapidly change its skin pattern for camouflage. But it also uses these changes to send signals to other cuttlefish—like a pulsing 'passing cloud' display to warn rivals or courtship patterns to attract mates. So, in both cases, the same physical feature—skin or stripes—serves dual functions: hiding from enemies and facilitating social interaction.