托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating behavior in the animal kingdom called 'tool use.' While we often think of tool use as a uniquely human ability, many animals have developed remarkable skills in this area. The key point is that animals use tools to solve specific problems in their environment, and this behavior is often learned and passed down through generations. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters feed on hard-shelled shellfish like clams and crabs. To break open these shells, they will float on their backs, place a rock on their chests, and then smash the shellfish against the rock. This technique is not innate; young otters watch their mothers and practice until they master it. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows are famous for making hooks from twigs or leaves to extract insects from tree crevices. They carefully trim and shape the material, and even repair their tools if they break. Remarkably, this crafting ability varies among different crow populations, suggesting it is culturally transmitted. So, in both cases, we see animals using tools in sophisticated, learned ways to access food resources.