托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'tool use.' While many people think tool use is unique to humans, several animal species have developed remarkable abilities to use objects to solve problems. One key point is that tool use in animals is not random; it often emerges from specific environmental pressures and is passed down through social learning. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the New Caledonian crow. These crows manufacture hooks from twigs to extract insects from tree crevices. This is not innate—young crows learn by observing adults and even refine their techniques over time. Second, think of sea otters. They use rocks to crack open shellfish. A sea otter will place a rock on its belly while floating on its back and hammer the clam against it. Interestingly, otters have favorite rocks that they keep in a pouch under their arm. Both examples illustrate that tool use is a learned, adaptive behavior that helps these animals access food sources they otherwise couldn't reach.