美国科学60秒 SSS 2012-11-27
时间：2018-12-24 作者：英语课 分类：Scientific American(十一)月
英语课
A crocodile’s thick, rough skin looks like an impenetrable suit of armor. But the croc’s skin actually confers a delicate sense of touch that’s among the most acute in the animal kingdom. That’s according to a study in The Journal of Experimental Biology.
Researchers found that the small, spotted 1 bumps that cover the skin of crocodiles and alligators 2 are chock full of nerve endings that are exquisitely 3 sensitive to pressure and vibration 4. Even more sensitive than human fingertips.
These touch-sensors are especially good at detecting the vibrations 5 caused by tiny water ripples—something that may help the animals locate swimming prey 6. And the most sensitive areas were found near the face and teeth—likely helping 7 the animals to identify and manipulate objects with their mouths: crucial for crocodile females who must delicately carry and protect hatchlings in their powerful jaws 8.
Researchers say they’ve known about the spotted bumps for years, but because of crocodile skin’s tough, armorlike appearance, they simply assumed their function was something other than feeling. The lesson? Never judge a croc…by its cover.
1 spotted
adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的
- The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。
- Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。
2 alligators
n.短吻鳄( alligator的名词复数 )
- Two alligators rest their snouts on the water's surface. 两只鳄鱼的大嘴栖息在水面上。 来自辞典例句
- In the movement of logs by water the lumber industry was greatly helped by alligators. 木材工业过去在水上运输木料时所十分倚重的就是鳄鱼。 来自辞典例句
3 exquisitely
adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地
- He found her exquisitely beautiful. 他觉得她异常美丽。 来自《简明英汉词典》
- He wore an exquisitely tailored gray silk and accessories to match. 他穿的是做工非常考究的灰色绸缎衣服，还有各种配得很协调的装饰。 来自教父部分
4 vibration
n.颤动，振动；摆动
- There is so much vibration on a ship that one cannot write.船上的震动大得使人无法书写。
- The vibration of the window woke me up.窗子的震动把我惊醒了。
5 vibrations
n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动
- We could feel the vibrations from the trucks passing outside. 我们可以感到外面卡车经过时的颤动。
- I am drawn to that girl; I get good vibrations from her. 我被那女孩吸引住了，她使我产生良好的感觉。 来自《简明英汉词典》
6 prey
n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨
- Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。
- The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。