托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'tool use.' Now, tool use isn't just about using objects to get food; it can also serve social or defensive purposes. Let me give you two examples that illustrate this. First, consider the California sea otter. When feeding on hard-shelled shellfish like clams, the otter will float on its back and place a stone on its belly. It then smashes the clam against the stone to crack it open. This is a clear case of using a tool for foraging. But here's the twist: some sea otters also use tools for social signaling. A male otter might present a particularly large stone to a female during courtship, as a display of his foraging skill and strength. This isn't about eating; it's about communication. My second example is the veined octopus. This octopus collects coconut shell halves that have been discarded on the ocean floor. It carries them around and, when threatened, assembles them into a protective dome to hide inside. This isn't just for getting food—it's for defense against predators. So, as you can see, tool use in animals can serve multiple purposes beyond simple feeding.