托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'behavioral thermoregulation.' This is when animals deliberately change their behavior to control their body temperature, rather than relying solely on physiological mechanisms. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the desert iguana. This lizard lives in the scorching Mojave Desert where ground temperatures can exceed 50 degrees Celsius. Instead of staying out in the open, the iguana will climb onto rocks or perch on branches of creosote bushes, which are cooler because they're above the hot ground surface. By doing this, it keeps its body temperature within a safe range. Second, think about the honeybee. On hot days, worker bees collect water and bring it back to the hive. They then spread the water over the comb and fan their wings, creating evaporative cooling. This behavior lowers the hive's temperature, protecting the developing larvae from heat stress. So, you see, these animals are not passive victims of their environment; they actively adjust their behavior to maintain optimal temperatures.