托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon in animal behavior called 'tool use.' Now, many people assume that only humans use tools, but in fact, several animal species do as well. The main point I want to make is that tool use in animals is not random or instinctive; rather, it is a learned behavior that is passed down through social learning within a group. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the California sea otter. When a sea otter dives for shellfish, it often brings up a rock from the ocean floor. It then floats on its back, places the rock on its chest, and smashes the shell against the rock to break it open. This technique is not something they are born with—young otters watch their mothers and practice until they master it. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows craft tools from leaves or twigs to extract insects from tree bark. Interestingly, crows in different regions have slightly different tool-making styles, which suggests that they learn these techniques from other crows, not from genetics. So, in both cases, the behavior is culturally transmitted rather than purely innate.