托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'cooperative hunting.' This is when animals work together to catch prey, which increases their success rate compared to hunting alone. However, cooperative hunting isn't just about teamwork; it requires complex communication and role specialization. Let me give you two examples. First, consider wolves. When wolves hunt large animals like elk, they divide roles. Some wolves chase the prey from behind, while others cut off escape routes from the front. This coordination requires them to communicate through barks and body postures, and each wolf knows its specific job. Second, think about dolphins. In the waters off Florida, dolphins work together to herd fish into a tight ball near the surface. One dolphin then signals with a tail slap, and another dolphin takes turns rushing in to catch a fish. This role-switching shows that cooperative hunting is flexible and socially learned. So, the main point here is that cooperative hunting is not a simple instinct but a sophisticated behavior that involves communication and role specialization, leading to greater efficiency and success.