托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a concept in animal behavior called 'behavioral thermoregulation.' This is when animals actively adjust their body temperature by changing their behavior, rather than relying solely on internal physiological mechanisms. The main point is that behavior can be a surprisingly effective tool for managing heat and cold. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the desert iguana. When the sun gets too hot, the iguana doesn't just stay in the open and risk overheating. Instead, it climbs onto a rock and then raises its body off the rock's surface, lifting its belly. This allows cool air to circulate underneath, and it also moves to shaded areas when needed. So, by altering its posture and location, it keeps its body at a safe temperature. Second, think about the honeybee. In a hive, when temperatures rise, worker bees don't just fan the hive with their wings—they also collect water and spread it over the honeycomb. Then, the fanning creates evaporation, which cools the hive. So, through these collective behaviors, bees actively prevent the hive from overheating. These examples show that behavior is a key mechanism for temperature control.