大千世界:会装死的负鼠
装死的负鼠
Playing dead doesn't seem like much of a strategy, but it works for the opossum, commonly known as the possum. The possum is a rather unglamorous creature. It has big, black eyes, a pale pointy face and a hairless tail, like a rat's. Possums aren't finicky about their food, either: they eat fruits, vegetables, insects, reptiles 1, and even roadkill(路上被撞死动物的尸体). They do have a couple of unique habits, though: as North America's only marsupial(有袋动物), they can carry their young in a pouch(育儿袋,肚囊;颊囊), like a kangaroo(袋鼠), and they can play dead. Possums are famous for "playing dead" when threatened, but this isn't quite accurate. They are not "playing" dead at all: the possum goes into shock when particularly stressed. While not dead, it can be found lying on its side with its legs extended and is, in fact, limp and unconscious during this time, like a person who has fainted. While playing dead discourages predators 2 from chasing the possum, it also makes them vulnerable. When drivers see the limp possum in the road, they don't bother to swerve 3, since they assume it's already dead. There are also accounts of people shooting the comatose 4 possum in order to "put it out of its misery(结束它的痛苦)." There is such a thing as overplaying a part.
strategy
1. 战略;战略学[U]
He is an expert in military strategy.
他是军事战略专家。
2. 策略,计谋;对策[C][(+for)][+to-v]
The government adopted a strategy of massive deflation.
政府采取了大规模紧缩通货的策略。
By careful strategy he managed to push the proposal through.
通过审慎的谋划,他成功地使该建议获得通过。
Unglamorous: 没有魅力的,无浪漫色彩的,乏味的,单调的
Finicky: (吃穿)过分讲究的;爱挑剔的
A finicky eater 过分挑食者
Unique
1. 唯一的,独一无二的;独特的[Z][(+to)]
The custom is unique to the region.
这种风俗是这一地区特有的。
2. 无可匹敌的,无与伦比的[Z]
Beethoven's symphony is unique in music.
贝多芬的交响曲在音乐中是无与伦比的。
3. 【口】罕有的;珍奇的;极好的
Her style of writing is rather unique.
她的写作风格很不寻常。
Faint: 昏厥,晕倒[(+with/from)]
He fainted when he heard the news.
听到这消息时,他晕了过去。
Chase
及物动词 vt.
1. 追逐;追捕;追踪
The cat chased the mouse.
猫追老鼠。
2. 赶出,驱逐[O]
She chased the children from her yard.
她把那些孩子赶出院子。
3. 追寻,寻找;催促[(+up)]
不及物动词 vi.
1. 追逐,追赶;追寻;追求[(+after)]
He never ceased to chase after his dream in his vigorous youth.
在精力充沛的年轻时代他从未停止过追求自己的梦想。
2. 匆忙地走,奔跑[Q]
She chased all over town looking for a dress in her size.
她为寻找尺寸合身的衣服而满城奔跑。
Swerve
1. 突然转向;转弯;偏离方向
The car swerved 5 to the right.
车子突然转向右方。
2. 背离[(+from)]
I will never swerve from my declared policy on this matter.
在这个问题上我决不会背离我公开宣布的政策。
- Snakes and crocodiles are both reptiles. 蛇和鳄鱼都是爬行动物。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Birds, reptiles and insects come from eggs. 鸟类、爬虫及昆虫是卵生的。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
- birds and their earthbound predators 鸟和地面上捕食它们的动物
- The eyes of predators are highly sensitive to the slightest movement. 捕食性动物的眼睛能感觉到最细小的动静。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- Nothing will swerve him from his aims.什么也不能使他改变目标。
- Her car swerved off the road into a 6ft high brick wall.她的车突然转向冲出了马路，撞向6英尺高的一面砖墙。