-
(单词翻译:双击或拖选)
Teamwork has helped the weavers1 find a neat solution to the problems posed by the Kalahari sun. But some creatures are even better equipped.
Ground squirrels have ready-made parasols. Under the shadow of their fluffy2 tails, they can resume foraging3 while the sun is still high in the sky.
But the trouble with being active at this time of day is that so are cold-blood animals, like the cape4 cobra. Ground squirrels have such quick reflexes, they're in no real danger. But they're still anxious to be rid of it. They now use their bushy tails to intimidate5 and frustrate6 the snake, rather like a red rag to a bull. It's all too much for the cobra, better to just slip away quietly.
As the evening draws in, temperatures in the Kalahari can plummet7. Sociable8 weavers retreat to their insulated nest chambers9, and by snuggling together can sleep warm and comfortable through the night.
Small mammals, like ground squirrels and meerkats return to the safety and warmth of their burrows10. Time now to lie low, prepare the warren and bond.
Today, despite its extreme temperatures, the Kalahari is Africa's mildest desert.
words:
1.ready-made:already made, prepared, or available现成的
2.plummet:a plumb bob,decline directly铅锤,垂直下降
1 weavers | |
织工,编织者( weaver的名词复数 ) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
2 fluffy | |
adj.有绒毛的,空洞的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
3 foraging | |
v.搜寻(食物),尤指动物觅(食)( forage的现在分词 );(尤指用手)搜寻(东西) | |
参考例句: |
|
|
4 cape | |
n.海角,岬;披肩,短披风 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
5 intimidate | |
vt.恐吓,威胁 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
6 frustrate | |
v.使失望;使沮丧;使厌烦 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
7 plummet | |
vi.(价格、水平等)骤然下跌;n.铅坠;重压物 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
8 sociable | |
adj.好交际的,友好的,合群的 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
9 chambers | |
n.房间( chamber的名词复数 );(议会的)议院;卧室;会议厅 | |
参考例句: |
|
|
10 burrows | |
n.地洞( burrow的名词复数 )v.挖掘(洞穴),挖洞( burrow的第三人称单数 );翻寻 | |
参考例句: |
|
|