托福口语 Task 3

In biology, the concept of 'behavioral thermoregulation' refers to the deliberate actions animals take to regulate their body temperature by seeking out or avoiding specific environmental conditions. Unlike physiological mechanisms such as shivering or sweating, behavioral thermoregulation involves conscious choices, like moving to sun or shade, changing posture, or altering activity patterns. This strategy helps animals maintain optimal internal temperatures for survival, especially in environments with fluctuating temperatures, and is common across many species, from reptiles to mammals.

Professor: Let me give you an example from a study on desert lizards. These lizards live in an environment where ground temperatures can swing from very hot during midday to quite cool in the morning and evening. To keep their body temperature stable, they use behavioral thermoregulation. In the morning, when it's cool, the lizards bask on sun-warmed rocks, positioning their bodies perpendicular to the sun's rays to absorb maximum heat. As the day heats up, they shift their posture and move to shaded areas under rocks or vegetation to avoid overheating. During the hottest part of the day, they may even retreat into burrows to stay cool. By moving between sunny and shady spots and adjusting their body orientation, they maintain a nearly constant internal temperature, which allows them to remain active and hunt efficiently without risking overheating or becoming too sluggish from the cold.