托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about how animals adapt to extreme environments, specifically focusing on the concept of 'behavioral thermoregulation.' Unlike physical adaptations like fur or fat, behavioral thermoregulation involves actions animals take to control their body temperature. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the desert lizard. In the scorching heat of the day, the lizard doesn't simply stay in the sun. Instead, it alternates between basking in sunny spots to raise its body temperature and retreating to shaded areas under rocks or into burrows to cool down. By moving back and forth, it keeps its body temperature within a safe range. Second, think of the emperor penguin in Antarctica. To survive the freezing cold, penguins huddle together in large groups. The individuals on the outside constantly rotate to the inside, so no penguin stays on the cold periphery for too long. This huddling behavior reduces heat loss and helps the whole group maintain warmth. So, these examples show that animals can actively manage their body heat through behavior rather than just relying on physical traits.