托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon in animal behavior called 'temporal partitioning.' In simple terms, this is when different species that compete for the same resources reduce competition by being active at different times of the day or night. This allows them to coexist in the same habitat without directly fighting over food or space. Let me give you two examples from the rainforest. First, consider two species of monkeys that both feed on the same type of fruit. The howler monkey is active during the day, while the owl monkey is active at night. By being active at different times, they avoid direct competition for the fruit trees. Second, think about two species of bats that both eat insects. The insect population is most abundant at dusk, but both bats could feed then. However, one species emerges early in the evening, while the other emerges later, just before midnight. This shift in feeding time allows each bat to have access to enough insects without exhausting the supply. So, as you can see, temporal partitioning is a key strategy for species sharing a habitat.