Animal Behavior What is behavior?

Animal Behaviors A behavior is anything an animal does in response to a stimulus (stimuli) in its environment. Animals use behavioral adaptations for survival and reproduction.

How does this relate to evolution? These behaviors have adaptive value if they are controlled by genes and contribute to the survival of the animal.

Adaptive Value? Territoriality – ensures adequate space and resources for reproduction Courtship Behaviors (Sexual selection)– ensures beneficial genes are passed on to offspring

There are two basic types of behavior: Innate (instinct) Learned What is an innate behavior? What is a learned behavior? Which one is this:

Innate behaviors A behavior that is not learned but determined by your genes. An instinct is a complex pattern of innate behavior.

Taxis: movement toward or away from a stimulus. Examples of Innate Behaviors Taxis: movement toward or away from a stimulus.

Examples of Innate Behaviors Migration – seasonal movement of animals, usually in response to changes in day length; ensures survival and reproduction.

Examples of Innate Behaviors Estivation – Dormancy in response to extreme hot Hibernation – Dormancy in response to extreme cold Most animals do NOT sleep through the entire winter. Their metabolism/activity slows greatly to conserve energy.

Learned behaviors Chimpanzee using a tool A behavior that an animal acquires during its lifetime. It changes through practice or experience. Chimpanzee using a tool

Examples of Learned Behaviors Habituation- Animal stops responding to a stimulus that isn’t meaningful.

Types of Learned Behaviors Classical conditioning-response to a stimulus learned by association with a specific action (example: bell rings?) Classical conditioning

Types of Learned Behaviors Trial and Error (Operant Conditioning) Animal associates an action (behavior) with a positive or negative response

Types of Learned Behaviors Insight Learning (Reasoning) – Animal uses previous experience to respond to a new situation.

Types of Learned Behaviors Imprinting – Animal forms a strong attachment to another organism (hopefully, Mom)

Social Behaviors Social behaviors occur when animals interact with their own species. Can be innate, learned, or a combination of both. Usually some form of communication is exhibited in social behavior. Examples: -territoriality -courtship -communication

Visual Social Behaviors Bee Waggle Dance – Complex movement that bees use to tell other bees in hive location and distance to a good food source. Courtship dances – Sexual selection

Social Behavior Pheromones – Hormones with odor Adaptive value in ants/termites? Sexual reproduction Sound – Bird Calls, whale songs, dog barking Language – ?

Behavioral Cycles Many animals respond to periodic changes in the environment with daily or seasonal cycles of behavior. Circadian rhythm – 24 Hr. cycle of behavior Migration/Estivation/Hibernation – seasonal responses

Animal Behaviors Battle at Kruger While watching the video, list the types of animal behaviors observed. Record the stimuli and the responses that define the behaviors.