托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior 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. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the desert lizard. In the early morning, when the ground is cool, it basks on sun-warmed rocks to raise its body temperature. But by midday, when the rocks become scorching hot, it retreats into the shade or burrows underground to avoid overheating. This shuttling between sun and shade is a deliberate behavioral choice. Second, think about honeybees. In a hive, worker bees can't move the hive itself, but they can fan their wings to circulate air and cool the hive on hot days. Conversely, on cold days, they cluster together tightly to generate and retain heat. Both actions are behaviors that help maintain an optimal temperature for the colony. So you see, animals use a range of behaviors to regulate their thermal environment.