托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'behavioral thermoregulation.' This is when animals actively change their behavior to control their body temperature, rather than just relying on passive mechanisms like sweating or shivering. The main point is that behavioral choices—like where to go and when—can be just as important as physiological ones for staying in a safe temperature range. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the desert iguana. In the hot desert, this lizard avoids the scorching midday sun by burrowing into the sand or seeking shade under rocks. It only comes out to forage during the cooler morning and late afternoon hours. By timing its activity, it keeps its body from overheating. Second, think about the honeybee. On a hot day, worker bees will leave the hive and fan their wings at the entrance to circulate air and cool the interior. If it gets too hot, they even bring water droplets to the hive and evaporate them to lower the temperature. These behaviors are deliberate strategies to maintain a stable internal environment.