托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating survival strategy in animals called 'behavioral thermoregulation.' This is when animals actively control their body temperature by changing their behavior, rather than relying on physiological mechanisms like sweating or shivering. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the desert lizard. In the early morning, the ground is cool, so the lizard basks in the sun on a rock to warm up. But by midday, the sand becomes scorching hot. To avoid overheating, the lizard lifts one foot at a time off the ground, alternating limbs, and even seeks shade under bushes or rocks. This behavior allows it to keep its body temperature within a safe range. Second, think about honeybees. In winter, they cluster together in a tight ball inside the hive. The bees on the outside insulate the group, while those inside shiver their flight muscles to generate heat. When the outer bees get cold, they push inward, and the warmer bees move outward. This constant rotation helps the whole colony maintain a stable temperature, around 35 degrees Celsius, even when it's freezing outside.