托福口语 Task 4

Today we're going to talk about a concept in biology called 'behavioral thermoregulation.' This is when animals actively control their body temperature by changing their behavior, rather than relying on physical processes like sweating or shivering. The main point is that animals often use their environment or social interactions to maintain a suitable temperature, which can be crucial for survival. Let me give you two examples. First, consider desert lizards. In the morning, the ground is cool, so they bask in the sun to warm up. But by midday, the sand becomes scorching hot. To avoid overheating, they lift one leg at a time off the ground, alternating, to reduce contact with the hot surface. They also seek shade under rocks or burrow into the sand. Second, think about emperor penguins in Antarctica. During the harsh winter, they huddle together in large groups. This reduces the surface area exposed to the cold wind, and the birds take turns moving to the warm center and then to the cooler outer edge. This communal behavior helps them conserve heat and survive extreme temperatures.