托福口语 Task 4

Today, we're going to talk about a fascinating concept in animal behavior called 'temporal partitioning.' This occurs when different species that compete for the same resources avoid direct competition by being active at different times of the day or night. The main point is that temporal partitioning allows species to coexist in the same habitat without constant conflict. Let me give you two examples. First, consider the African savanna. Lions and leopards both hunt similar prey, like antelopes. However, lions are primarily active during the cooler hours of dawn and dusk, while leopards are mostly nocturnal, hunting at night. This separation in time reduces direct encounters and competition between the two big cats. Second, think about the rainforest canopy. Some species of bats and birds feed on the same fruits. But fruit bats are active at night, while fruit-eating birds, like toucans, forage during the day. By being active at different times, they both access the fruit supply without interfering with each other. So, as you can see, temporal partitioning is a key strategy that enables biodiversity.