托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'tool use' — the ability of animals to use objects from their environment to achieve a goal. While we often associate tool use with primates, it's actually more widespread in the animal kingdom than we might think. Two key factors seem to drive this behavior: problem-solving needs and social learning. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters feed on hard-shelled clams, which are difficult to crack open. To solve this problem, they use stones as anvils. They float on their backs, place a stone on their chest, and then smash the clam against it. This is a clear case of using a tool to meet a direct physical need. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows don't just use sticks to extract insects from tree bark; they actually shape the sticks into hooks to make them more effective. Interestingly, young crows learn this technique by observing their parents, not by instinct alone. This shows that tool use can also be passed down through generations, which is a form of cultural learning. So, in summary, tool use in animals can emerge from immediate survival challenges, but it can also be maintained and refined through social transmission.