托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior: behavioral thermoregulation. This is when animals actively change their behavior to control their body temperature, rather than relying solely on physiological mechanisms like sweating or shivering. The main point is that animals can use their environment and actions to maintain an optimal temperature for survival and activity. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the desert iguana. In the scorching heat of the day, when the sand temperature exceeds 45 degrees Celsius, the iguana doesn't just lie there—it climbs onto rocks or bushes to get above the hot surface. This allows it to avoid overheating, and it can continue foraging for insects when the ground would be too hot to touch. Second, think about the honeybee. In cold weather, bees cluster together in a tight ball inside the hive. The bees on the outside push inward, and they shiver their flight muscles to generate heat. The bees in the center stay warm, and they rotate positions so that no bee gets too cold. This cooperative behavior helps the entire colony survive freezing temperatures.