托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in biology called 'behavioral thermoregulation.' This is when animals actively adjust their behavior to control their body temperature, rather than relying solely on physiological mechanisms like sweating or shivering. The main point is that animals can use their environment strategically to maintain an optimal temperature for survival. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the desert lizard. When the sun is too hot, the lizard will alternately lift one foot off the ground and then the other, minimizing contact with the scorching sand. This reduces heat absorption and keeps its body from overheating. Second, think about the honeybee. In a hive, when temperatures get too high, worker bees will fan their wings at the entrance to circulate cool air inside. Conversely, when it's cold, they cluster together tightly to conserve heat. These behaviors show that animals are not passive victims of temperature but active managers of their thermal environment.