托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating phenomenon in animal behavior known as 'tool use'—specifically, how some animals modify objects to solve problems. Now, contrary to what we once thought, tool use is not exclusive to primates or birds. Let me give you two clear examples from marine life. First, consider the sea otter. Sea otters often feed on hard-shelled prey like clams. To crack them open, they will pick up a stone and place it on their chest while floating on their backs. Then, they repeatedly smash the clam against the stone until it breaks. Interestingly, they select stones of just the right size and weight for the task, and they may carry a favorite stone for many meals. Second, think about the octopus. The veined octopus, found in Indonesia, has been observed collecting discarded coconut shells from the ocean floor. It carries these shells under its body and later assembles them into a protective dome when it needs to hide from predators or rest. This behavior is not instinctive—it's learned and passed on, showing remarkable problem-solving. So, both examples demonstrate how animals use and even modify objects from their environment to meet specific needs, which challenges our traditional view of animal intelligence.