本集内容

Why are some animals black and white?

为什么有些动物的颜色是黑白相间的？

文字稿

Ever wondered why these animals are black and white?

你是否好奇过为什么这些动物的颜色都是黑白相间的？

Scientists think the reason could be different for different animals.

科学家认为出现这个现象的理由对不同的动物来说亦有所不同。

For zebras, it could be about avoiding insects.

对于斑马来说，这可能是为了规避昆虫。

（Source: Journal of Experimental Biology）

Research has suggested that black and white stripes can confuse horseflies, which can carry disease.

（来源：《实验生物学杂志》）

研究发现，黑白相间的条纹能迷惑虻，一类可能会携带疾病的昆虫。

For pandas, their colouring may be to do with camouflage. We don't think about it if we only see pandas in zoos, but their natural environment is the snowy forests of western China, where being black and white might help obscure them from predators.

对于熊猫来说，它们的颜色或许是一种保护色。如果我们只在动物园里看熊猫的话就不会想到这一点，但它们的自然栖息地其实在中国西部有降雪的森林中。在那里，黑白相间的颜色或许能帮助它们从捕食者的视野中隐藏自己。

Skunks, on the other hand, may use their colours as a warning. When they feel threatened, they can spray out a substance that can be dangerous for other animals.

臭鼬则与此不同，它们可能会把自己的颜色作为一种警告。当臭鼬感觉受到威胁时，他们会喷出一种物质，这种物质对其它动物来说很危险。

（Source: International Journal of Organic Evolution）

Their black and white stripes are more pronounced in areas where there are more predators, suggesting they evolved as a message to other animals to 'stay away'.

（来源：生物进化国际杂志）

它们黑白相间的条纹在捕食者更多的地区更为明显，这说明这些条纹经过进化，变成了一种让其它动物 “离远点” 的信息。

And in lemurs, there's evidence their black and white stripy tails could encourage group cohesion. When they walk, they stick their tails straight up into the air. Scientists think this could be a way of saying 'I'm here, follow me' to other lemurs.

而对于狐猴来说，有证据表明它们具有黑白条纹的尾巴能促进群体凝聚力。它们行走的时候会把自己的尾巴笔直地指向空中。科学家们认为这可能是对其它狐猴表示 “我在这，跟我来” 的一种方式。

重点词汇及表达

confuse 使…迷惑

carry disease 携带疾病

camouflage （动植物的）保护色

obscure 遮蔽，遮掩

group cohesion 群体凝聚力