托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry.' Now, mimicry is when one species evolves to look or behave like another species, often to gain a survival advantage. There are two main types: defensive mimicry and aggressive mimicry. Let me give you two examples to clarify. First, consider the viceroy butterfly. It looks almost identical to the monarch butterfly, which is toxic to predators. Because birds have learned to avoid monarchs, they also avoid viceroys, even though viceroys are actually harmless. This is defensive mimicry—the mimic gains protection by resembling a dangerous species. Second, think of the anglerfish. It has a fleshy appendage that dangles in front of its mouth, resembling a small worm. When smaller fish come to eat the 'worm,' the anglerfish snaps them up. This is aggressive mimicry—the predator uses imitation to lure its prey. So, both examples show how mimicry can be a powerful tool for survival, whether to avoid being eaten or to catch a meal.