1. Ethograms: Measuring Behavior

2. Importance of Observation Initially, questions about animal behavior come from observations. You must understand your study animal before you can begin testing ideas. Patience and attention to detail is helpful.. Acting in a QUIET and CALM manner is also essential.

3. Ethology Ethology is the comparative study of animal behavior. Examine biological roots and meanings of animal actions. The first step in the observation process is to construct an ethogram.

4. Ethogram: A tool for measuring behavior A qualitative description of an animal’s normal behavior becomes quantitative data. An inventory of an animal’s behavior. Requires time spent watching animals and taking notes.

5. questions hypothesis background research and/or observations Getting Started 1. 2.2. 3.

6. How a Field Study Works

7. Getting Started: Overview 1.Choose a study animal. 2.Record initial observations and field notes in journal to determine a repertoire. 3.Determine a question. 4.Generate and test the hypothesis.

8. 1. Choose a Study Animal Consider the following factors: Try to observe the subject at the closest range possible without causing a change in behavior. You should choose an animal that can be reliably found and observed. Consider the speed and how the animal moves. (This will assist in choosing a time interval later.)

9. 2. AD LIBITUM sampling an informal, note-taking procedure of as many behavior patterns as you see. Be as descriptive as possible. Sketch if necessary.

10. 3. Big Questions: Two questions that can be easily measured in a zoo setting are: 1.How does the animal use it’s exhibit space? 2.What is the animal doing in it’s exhibit space? Think: How are these questions different?

11. 4. Generating a hypothesis What information do you need to know to make a prediction about your study animal? We’ll come back to this next week!

12. Thanks for your attention! Questions?

13. Your Mission: Form teams of 3 – 4 members. Each team will : Conduct a short field study Observe an organism Record their observations and questions: What do you notice? What is interesting? Next week your team use the skills you learned while constructing your ethogram to test one hypothesis about your study animal.

14. In Your Science Notebook: Find 2 organisms that interest you. Why are you interested in this organism? Observe the organism and write down what you see. What types of behaviors are you observing? Do you notice any trends? Develop at least 2 ideas for investigation questions.