A: The Malayan tapir’s monochrome markings are really unique, but I wonder why it evolved like this. Surely the huge white-colored patch on the rear two-thirds of its body makes it stand out like a sore thumb in the wild.
B: I know the answer: It’s actually a really clever form of camouflage. When the tapir is lying down to sleep, other animals might mistake it for a large rock.
A: Oh, I see. That’s ingenious!
Photo courtesy of Taipei Zoo照片:台北市立動物園提供
B: Hey, we’ve just got enough time to tour the African Animal Area before the zoo closes.
A: OK, let’s hotfoot it over there.
A: 馬來貘黑白相間的毛色真特別,但是我在想牠為什麼會演化成這樣。佔牠軀幹後方三分之二的大塊白毛,一定讓牠在野外看起來很突出。
B: 我知道為什麼了:這其實是一種非常聰明的保護色。當馬來貘躺下來睡覺時,其他動物可能會誤認牠是一塊大石頭。
A: 哦,我明白了。真是太巧妙了。
B: 嘿,在動物園關門前,我們正好還有時間去看非洲動物區。
A: 好,我們加快腳步走過去吧。
(Edward Jones, Taipei Times/台北時報章厚明譯)
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