托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon in animal behavior called 'tool use.' Now, tool use isn't just about using objects to get food—it's about solving a problem in a way that shows flexibility and learning. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters float on their backs and use rocks to crack open shellfish. They'll even keep a favorite rock tucked under their arm. This isn't just random—they learn which rocks work best and carry them from place to place. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows fashion hooks from twigs to pull insects out of tree bark. They don't just use any twig—they carefully trim and shape them to create a functional tool. Both examples show that animals can adapt their environment to meet their needs, which challenges the idea that only humans are capable of such creative problem-solving.