托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating animal behavior called 'tool use.' While we often think of tool use as a uniquely human trait, many animals actually use tools to solve problems. The key point is that tool use in animals is not just instinctive; it often involves learning and adaptation. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters eat shellfish like clams and crabs, which have hard shells. To break them open, an otter will float on its back, place a stone on its chest, and then smash the shellfish against the stone. Interestingly, otters choose stones of different sizes and shapes depending on the size and hardness of their prey. This shows they can adapt their tool use to different situations. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows are known for making hooks from twigs or leaves to extract insects from tree holes. They don't just use any twig; they carefully select and modify one, sometimes even shaping it into a barbed hook, to more effectively pull out prey. Moreover, young crows learn this technique by observing and practicing with their parents, rather than being born with it. So, both examples illustrate that tool use is a flexible, learned behavior that helps animals meet specific challenges in their environment.