托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating survival strategy used by some animals: behavioral thermoregulation. This means that animals actively change their behavior to regulate their body temperature, rather than relying solely on internal physiological mechanisms. One clear example is the desert lizard. When the morning sun rises, the lizard basks on sun-warmed rocks to raise its body temperature quickly. As the day heats up, however, it becomes too hot, so the lizard moves into the shade or burrows underground to cool down. This behavior allows it to maintain an optimal temperature for hunting and digestion. Another example is the honeybee. In a hive, worker bees cluster together when temperatures drop. They shiver their flight muscles to generate heat, keeping the hive warm. Conversely, on hot days, some bees collect water and spread it over the hive, while others fan their wings to evaporate the water and cool the hive down. These behaviors show that animals can actively manage their thermal environment.