托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry'—specifically, how certain animals use mimicry not just to hide from predators, but to actively lure prey. This is known as aggressive mimicry. The key idea is that the mimic resembles something attractive or harmless to its prey, tricking them into coming close enough to be captured. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the anglerfish. It lives in the dark depths of the ocean. It has a fleshy growth on its head that glows, resembling a small, tasty fish. When a smaller fish swims toward the light, thinking it's a meal, the anglerfish snaps it up. Second, think of the orchid mantis. This insect has a body that looks exactly like a pink orchid flower. It sits on a plant, and when a bee or butterfly lands on it to collect nectar, the mantis grabs it and eats it. In both cases, the predator uses deception to exploit the natural instincts of its prey—the attraction to light or to flowers—to its advantage.