Transcript Behave Yourself!

Behave Yourself! – A
Summary of Animal Behaviors
Innate Behavior
• Also known as an instinct or inborn
behavior.
• This is a behavior that an organisms is
born knowing how to do. It is not learned.
• These behaviors are generally essential to
the organisms survival.
– Example: a spider building its first web.
Suckling to nurse
Ex: Pigs
Imprinting
Ex: Ducklings follow their mothers
Migration
Ex: Geese
Hibernation
Ex: bears, chipmunks, frogs
Estivation
Ex: African bullfrog and
fringe toed lizard
Positive Chemotaxis
Ex: Male cockroach pheromones
attract females
Negative Chemotaxis
Ex: The smell of a skunk repels
animals.
Positive Phototaxis
Ex: Moths to a light.
Negative Phototaxis
Ex: Moles live underground.
Circadian Rhythms
Ex: Human alertness during the
day
Learned Behavior
• This is a behavior that is altered as a
result of experience.
Ex. Mother bear
teachers her cubs what
to eat.
Ex: Nest building
Conditioning
Ex: Training a dog
Trial and Error
(Operant Conditioning)
Ex: Learning to press a lever for food.
Trial and Error
Students who study get good
grades.
Habituation
Dog ignores all cars driving by until
your car pulls up.
Social Behavior
• The various ways in which an organism
interacts with members of its own species.
• Social behaviors can vary greatly,
depending on whether the organisms live
together or lead solitary lives (interacting
only to reproduce).
Competition
Ex: Rams fighting for mates.
Squirrels fighting for territory.
Territoriality
Ex: Wolves will mark their territory.
Male beta fish fight other males in
their territory
Courtship
Ex: Necking, dancing for mates in
condors.
Communication
• There are various forms of communication
that may be used by a given species,
including:
– Visual signals (defined movements and
coloration)
– Chemical signals (pheromones)
– Sounds
Visual Communication – Cuttlefish
changes colors to indicate
mood/messages.
Sounds • Birds – singing
• Dolphins – signature
‘whistle’ and echo
location
• Primates & Humans
- language
Chemical Signals (Pheromones)
• Bees use
pheromones to
help other bees
find food, nectar,
and the hive.
• Lions use
pheromones to
indicate readiness
to mate and
identify their cubs.
Other Interesting Behavioral
Patterns
• Mimicry and Camouflage - These are
genetically linked properties that enhance
the survival of the organism.
Mimicry
Ex:Monarch and viceroy butterflies
• Viceroy
mimics the
bitter-tasting
monarch
butterfly.
Mimicry
Ex: Coral snake mimics
• Scarlet King Snakes
mimic poisonous
coral snakes.
Mimicry
Ex: Praying mantis
Protective Coloration/Camouflage
snakes (viper) and toads
Warning Coloration
Poison dart frog and black widow spider