托福口语 Task 4

Today, I want to discuss a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'behavioral thermoregulation.' This is when animals actively change their behavior to control their body temperature, rather than relying solely on physiological mechanisms like sweating or shivering. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the desert iguana. During the hottest part of the day, the ground becomes scorching hot. Instead of staying on the surface, the iguana climbs into low bushes or rocks, where the temperature is cooler. By doing so, it avoids overheating and can still remain active. Second, think about the emperor penguin in Antarctica. When it's extremely cold, penguins huddle together in large groups. This reduces the surface area exposed to the cold wind, helping them conserve heat. The penguins on the outside slowly move to the inside, so everyone gets a turn in the warmer center. In both cases, these behaviors are not random; they are strategic adjustments to their environment to maintain a stable internal temperature.