Group Behavior

Bell Work: Describe what’s happening in the video. List at least 2 reasons why you think the birds would behave like this. Fly together because they are following each other So they don’t get lost They like their friends https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLDpHmwRGHU

Today’s Objective By the end of the class, you will be able to name 6 different types of group behaviors and describe how each one helps an animal or species survive.

Part 1: Where’s Waldo?

Why is it harder to find Waldo? (Write your response to #1 & 2)

How about now? (Write your response to #3)

Question of the Day How does group behavior affect chances of survival for the individual and the entire species? WRITE YOUR PREDICTION ON YOUR PAPER

Part 2: Think, Pair, Share: List some advantages or disadvantages: is it better to be a loner (alone) or to be a part of a group? OR

Solitary Animals or Loners Solitary animals live on their own. Hunt by themselves Only interact with other animals to mate or to compete for food and resources

Non-social Groups Animals interact loosely Each animal is acting for their own benefit Flocking Herding Schooling

Social Groups Animals or organisms that live, travel, and work together are in social groups.

Advantages of large social groups Protection from predators or the environment Easier to find a mate Large groups can find food together and share it Population regulation (restricted breeding) (Write your response to #1-3)

Part 3: CLAIM Group Behavior enhances the chances of survival for the individual and for the entire species. What is the purpose of surviving? Every organism’s goal in life is to reproduce and pass on its genes. In order to reproduce an organism must survive.

Claim: Being part of a group increases your chance of survival Evidence: 1. Schooling A group of fish swimming together Reasoning Schooling allows fish to swim longer, travel through colder temperatures, and avoid predators

Claim: Being part of a group increases your chance of survival Evidence: 2. Flocking A group of birds or animals that move together Reasoning Safety in numbers, easier foraging (finding food), protection from predators

Claim: Being part of a group increases your chance of survival Evidence: 3. Herding Hoofed animals group together to eat and travel Reasoning While one animal has its head down to eat, another will have its head up looking for predators. With more animals looking for predators, it is more likely they will survive an attack.

Part 4: Example: Emperor Penguins (Write your response to #1-3) http://video.pbs.org/video/2365247259/ What behavior are the penguins exhibiting? What are the advantages of their behavior? How can this behavior increase their survival as a species? 1. They huddle together to keep warm and avoid the snow. 2. They are working together to stay warm. They continue to move around in pattern so that no one is left out in the cold the entire time . If they only cared about themselves, they would be trying to stay in the middle while everyone else was on the outside.

Cooperative HUNTING What behavior are the orcas exhibiting? Think, Pair, Share https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3xmqbNsRSk What behavior are the orcas exhibiting? What are the advantages of their behavior? How can this behavior increase their survival as a species?

Claim: Being part of a group increases your chance of survival Evidence: 6. Hunting A group of animals will search for food together Reasoning By using strategy, the group can take down a much larger prey The group can confuse the prey, so it runs into another hunter The group can protect the kill from scavengers

Cooperative Defense Think, Pair, Share https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkWVGf2sfiw What behavior are the musk oxen exhibiting? What are the advantages of their behavior? How can this behavior increase their survival as a species? Notice, the wolves are also working cooperatively. How is this an advantage for the wolves?

Claim: Being part of a group increases your chance of survival Evidence: 6. Defense A group of animals will work together to defend the offspring Reasoning By using strategy, individual members of the group are less likely to be harmed Protecting the offspring ensures the survival of the next generation and the species.

Cooperative FOOD GATHERING Think, Pair, Share https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_hEZNxG_H8 What behavior are ants exhibiting? What are the advantages of their behavior? How can this behavior increase their survival as a species?

Claim: Being part of a group increases your chance of survival Evidence: 6. Cooperative Food Gathering A group of animals will work together to obtain food that is shared among the group Reasoning More food can be acquired in less time, which results in less energy being used to find food The chance of finding food or capturing prey increases

Meerkat Sentinel Behavior https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyesol8PLKE