托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'adaptive camouflage' – the ability of animals to change their appearance to blend into their environment, which serves as a primary defense mechanism against predators. This is not just about color matching, but also about texture and pattern. Let me give you two classic examples that illustrate this point. First, consider the cuttlefish, a marine animal. When resting on a sandy ocean floor, the cuttlefish can instantly alter its skin color to match the exact shade of the sand, and even modify the texture of its skin to appear bumpy, just like the sand grains. This makes it nearly invisible to predators like sharks. Second, think about the Arctic hare. In winter, its fur turns pure white, matching the snowy landscape. But as spring arrives and the snow melts, the hare gradually sheds its white fur and grows brown fur that blends with the dirt and rocks. This seasonal change ensures the hare remains camouflaged throughout the year, whether against snow or against earth. Both examples show how animals have evolved remarkable strategies to avoid being seen.