托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior: behavioral flexibility. This refers to an animal's ability to adjust its behavior to new or changing conditions, which is crucial for survival. Let me give you two examples to illustrate this. First, consider the urban raccoon. Raccoons originally lived in forests, but as cities expanded, they had to adapt. In the wild, they foraged for food on the ground, but in cities, they learned to open trash cans and even climb buildings to access food in dumpsters. This change in foraging behavior shows flexibility. Second, think about the mockingbird. In quiet rural areas, mockingbirds sing at a consistent volume, but in noisy urban environments, they have learned to sing louder and at different times of the day to avoid traffic noise. They also adjust their pitch to stand out. Both examples show how animals can change their behavior to thrive in altered habitats.