托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior: tool use. Now, when we think of tool use, we often think of humans or primates, but many other animals also use tools in clever ways. The main point I want to emphasize is that tool use in animals is not just a random act, but it often serves a specific survival purpose, such as obtaining food or protecting themselves. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters often float on their backs and use a stone as an anvil to crack open hard-shelled clams. They place the stone on their chest and repeatedly smash the clam against it until it breaks. This use of a tool allows them to access a food source that would otherwise be unavailable. Second, think about the woodpecker finch from the Galapagos Islands. This bird uses a cactus spine or a twig to probe into tree bark and extract insects. The finch will hold the spine in its beak and poke it into crevices, then pull out the insects. Without this tool, the finch would not be able to reach the insects hidden deep in the wood. So, as you can see, these animals have adapted their behavior to use tools effectively, solving practical problems for survival.