托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'tool use'. While we often think of tool use as a uniquely human trait, many animals actually use objects to achieve goals. However, the key point is that tool use in animals is not always a sign of high intelligence; rather, it often arises from specific environmental pressures. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters eat hard-shelled clams, but they can't crack them with their teeth. So, they float on their backs and place a rock on their chests, then smash the clam against the rock. This behavior is learned from their mothers and is crucial for survival in their marine habitat. Second, think about the woodpecker finch from the Galapagos Islands. This bird feeds on insects that live deep inside tree bark. Its beak isn't long enough to reach them, so it uses a cactus spine or a small twig to probe and extract the insects. This is a flexible and innovative behavior that allows it to exploit a food source that other birds can't access. So, in both cases, the tool use is a direct response to a specific ecological challenge.