托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'behavioral flexibility.' This refers to an animal's ability to change its behavior in response to new or changing environmental conditions. It's a key factor in survival, especially when habitats are altered by human activity. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the urban coyote. Traditionally, coyotes are nocturnal hunters in open grasslands. But in cities, they've adapted by becoming more active at dawn and dusk to avoid human traffic, and they've shifted their diet from small mammals to include garbage and even domestic cats. Second, think about the mountain chickadee, a small bird. In its natural forest habitat, it hides seeds in tree bark to retrieve later. However, in suburban areas with bird feeders, chickadees have learned to visit feeders at specific times and even wait for humans to refill them. They've also changed their caching behavior—they now hide seeds in more hidden spots, like under roof tiles, because feeders attract many competitors. Both examples show how animals can adjust their routines and strategies to thrive in changed environments.