托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'cooperative hunting.' This is when animals work together in groups to capture prey that would be difficult or impossible for a single individual to catch alone. The key point is that each member plays a specific role, and their combined efforts increase the success rate of the hunt. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the African lion. Lionesses in a pride often hunt in coordinated groups. Some individuals act as 'drivers,' chasing the prey toward the others who are hiding in ambush. This teamwork allows them to take down large animals like wildebeests, which are much faster and stronger than a single lion. Second, there's the humpback whale. These whales use a technique called 'bubble-net feeding.' A group of whales will swim in a circle below a school of fish, blowing bubbles to create a curtain that traps the fish. Then, one whale will call out, and all the whales simultaneously swim upward with their mouths open, scooping up thousands of fish. This method requires precise timing and coordination, something impossible for a lone whale.