托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'mimicry'. Mimicry occurs when one species evolves to resemble another species, often to gain a survival advantage. There are two main types: defensive mimicry and aggressive mimicry. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the harmless milk snake. It has evolved to have the same red, yellow, and black banding as the venomous coral snake. Predators learn to avoid the coral snake's bright colors, and they also avoid the milk snake because it looks similar. This is defensive mimicry, where the mimic avoids being eaten. Now, for a different example, think of the anglerfish. It has a fleshy growth that dangles in front of its mouth, which looks like a small worm. Smaller fish are attracted to this 'worm', thinking it's a meal. When they approach, the anglerfish quickly snaps them up. This is aggressive mimicry, where the mimic uses its appearance to lure prey. So, mimicry can be used for protection or for hunting.