Higher Biology Unit 3 3.4- Ethology

Ethology Ethology is the name given to the study of animal behaviour By observing animals and making records of their behaviour scientists can establish what normal behaviour patterns look like An ethogram is a list of all of the different behaviours shown by an animal in response to the environment By changing the environment and recording the exhibited behaviours conclusions can be drawn about the welfare requirements of an animal

Preference Test A preference test can be set up to give an animal a choice between 2 conditions and determine which it prefers Examples can include choice chambers in woodlice- wet or dry conditions, light or dark and chickens preference of sawdust or sand

Motivation All animals have a basic set of needs that must be satisfied for them to thrive Motivation is the process that directs the behaviour of an animal towards satisfying these needs A hungry animal will be highly motivated to find food whereas a well fed animal will not be motivated to find food at all Preference tests can be used to find out which conditions promote the greatest motivation- for example a choice between comfortable bedding or company of other animals of the same kind