托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about 'behavioral adaptation' in animals, which refers to how animals change their actions to better survive in their environment. One key point is that these adaptations are often triggered by environmental pressures, and they can be either learned or instinctive. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters are known to use tools—specifically, they crack open shellfish by placing a rock on their belly and smashing the shell against it. This behavior is learned: young otters watch their mothers and practice until they master it. This adaptation helps them access food that would otherwise be hard to eat. Second, think about the monarch butterfly. Every year, monarchs migrate thousands of miles to warmer climates. This is an instinctive behavior, not learned—they are born knowing the route. This migration ensures they survive the cold winter and find food. So, both learned and instinctive behaviors can be crucial for survival.