托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about the concept of 'behavioral adaptation' in animals. Specifically, I want to focus on how some animals have developed surprising ways to deal with extreme environmental conditions. One key point is that these adaptations are not just physical, but also behavioral, meaning they involve actions or habits that help survival. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the desert kangaroo rat. In its hot, dry habitat, water is scarce. Instead of seeking out water sources, it has adapted by never drinking water at all. It gets all the moisture it needs from the seeds it eats, and it conserves water by being active only at night when it's cooler. This behavior minimizes water loss. Second, think about the emperor penguin in Antarctica. To survive the freezing cold, they don't build nests. Instead, they huddle together in large groups. Males take turns moving from the cold outer edge to the warm center of the huddle, so no one stays too cold for too long. This collective behavior helps them keep warm and survive the winter.