托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'tool use.' Now, when we think of tool use, we often think of primates, but many other animals also use tools in clever ways. One key point I want to emphasize is that tool use is not just about physical objects—it can also involve using the environment to solve problems. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters float on their backs and use rocks to crack open shellfish. They place the rock on their chest and smash the shell against it. This shows they use an object as a tool to obtain food. Second, think about the woodpecker finch from the Galápagos Islands. This bird uses a cactus spine or a small twig to poke into tree crevices and extract insects. It even trims the twig to make it more effective. Both examples illustrate that tool use can be flexible and learned, and it helps these animals access food sources they otherwise couldn't reach.