托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about animal adaptation, specifically how some animals use camouflage in ways that go beyond simple color matching. The main point is that certain species have evolved what we call 'disruptive coloration'—patterns that break up the outline of the animal's body, making it harder for predators or prey to recognize them as a whole object. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the leopard. Its rosette-shaped spots don't just blend with the dappled light of the forest; they actually break the solid contour of its body, so when it's lying in grass, its shape becomes fragmented, and prey might mistake it for patches of sunlight or leaves. Second, think about the zebra. Its bold black and white stripes might seem conspicuous, but in a moving herd, the stripes create a confusing visual blur that makes it difficult for a lion to single out one individual. The pattern disrupts the herd's outline, causing predators to lose track of any specific zebra. Both examples show how disruptive coloration enhances survival by confusing visual perception, not merely by matching the background.