托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating behavioral adaptation in animals called 'safety in numbers.' This is a strategy where prey species gather in large groups to reduce their individual risk of being attacked by predators. The main point is that by staying together, animals can confuse, deter, or detect predators more effectively than if they were alone. Let me give you two classic examples. First, consider the schooling behavior of sardines. When a predator like a tuna or a dolphin attacks, sardines form a tight, swirling bait ball. This mass of moving fish can confuse the predator, making it difficult to single out one individual. The predator often gives up or catches fewer fish than it would if the sardines were scattered. Second, think about meerkats in the African savanna. They live in groups and take turns acting as sentinels. While others forage, one meerkat climbs to a high vantage point and scans for danger. If it spots an eagle or a jackal, it gives a distinct alarm call, and the entire group dives into burrows. This vigilance allows more individuals to survive because they benefit from the lookout's warning. So, in both cases, grouping provides a survival advantage against predators.