托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'behavioral thermoregulation.' Now, animals don't always just passively adapt to their environment's temperature. Many actively control their body heat through specific behaviors. This is especially important for ectotherms, or cold-blooded animals, which rely on external sources to regulate their internal temperature. Let me give you two clear examples. First, consider the desert lizard. In the morning, when it's cool, the lizard will bask in the sun on a hot rock to absorb heat and raise its body temperature. But as the day gets hotter, it will retreat to the shade under rocks or burrow into the sand to avoid overheating. So, it moves between sun and shade to maintain a stable temperature. Second, think about honeybees. In a hive, bees face temperature extremes. During cold weather, worker bees cluster together and shiver their flight muscles to generate heat, keeping the hive warm. In hot weather, they bring water into the hive and fan their wings to create airflow, which cools the hive through evaporation. So, both the lizard and the bee use specific behaviors to manage their thermal environment, ensuring they can function optimally.