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 deliberately adjust their behavior to control their body temperature, rather than relying solely on physiological mechanisms like sweating or shivering. Let me give you two clear examples. First, consider the desert lizard. In the scorching heat of the day, when the sand can reach over 50 degrees Celsius, the lizard will actually lift one leg at a time off the hot ground, alternating them to minimize heat absorption. It also seeks shade under rocks during the hottest hours, and only emerges to bask in the sun in the morning when it needs to warm up quickly. Second, think about emperor penguins in Antarctica. In the freezing cold, they huddle together in large groups, taking turns moving to the warmer center of the group. The penguins on the outside eventually rotate inward, while those in the center move out to the edge. This collective behavior reduces heat loss and helps them survive temperatures as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius. Both examples show how animals use behavioral strategies to maintain a stable internal temperature.