托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'tool use'. Now, tool use is often thought of as a uniquely human trait, but many animals also use tools to solve problems. The key is that they don't just use any object—they select and modify objects to achieve a specific goal. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters feed on clams and sea urchins, which have hard shells. To crack them open, they float on their backs, place a rock on their chest, and then smash the shellfish against the rock. They even choose rocks of the right size and shape for this purpose. Second, think about the New Caledonian crow. These crows are famous for making hooks. They take a twig or a leaf stem, trim it, and then bend it to create a small hook. They use this hooked tool to fish out insects from crevices in tree bark. In both cases, the animals are not just using an object as a passive support—they are actively shaping and selecting it for a task. So, tool use in animals is not random; it's a deliberate, learned behavior that shows problem-solving.