托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating adaptation in the animal kingdom: camouflage. But not just any camouflage—I'm focusing on what we call 'disruptive coloration.' This is when an animal's pattern breaks up its outline, making it harder for predators to recognize it as a single object. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the zebra. Its black-and-white stripes are not just for show. When zebras stand together in a herd, the stripes blend into a confusing mass, making it difficult for lions to pick out an individual. Even when a zebra is alone, the stripes can create optical illusions, especially in dappled light. Second, think about the tiger. Its orange and black stripes help it hide in the tall, dry grass of its habitat. The stripes mimic the vertical shadows and stems, so the tiger's body shape is broken up, allowing it to sneak up on prey unnoticed. So, in both cases, disruptive coloration serves a critical survival function—it confuses or conceals the animal from its predators or prey.