Animal Behavior

Behavior An animal’s response to a stimulus. Innate behaviors are instinctive, like birds defending their nesting place, and are influenced by genes. Learned behaviors are changed by various experiences, such as training a family pet to come when its name is called. Social behaviors are interactions between members of the same species and include mating and caring for offspring. In t tt territorial behaviors, organisms defend an area and keep out other organisms.

Behavior – anything an organism does in response to a stimulus in its environment.  Behaviors develop through interactions between genes and environmental inputs. Behavior is ADAPTIVE – adapting allows animals to survive!!!

Types of behaviors 1.Innate Behavior includes both automatic responses and instinctive behaviors 2.Learned Behavior –a result of previous experiences

Innate Behavior Reflexes –automatic responses that require no thinking at all.

Instincts 1.Aggression –To fend off predators and competitors –To protect young and to protect food sources 2.Submission –Shown by the weaker animal 3.Courtship –Finding a mate. 4.Territoriality –Animals that have territories will defend their space Innate Behavior

Instincts 5. behavioral cycles a) circadian rhythm – occur in daily patterns External cues. Important in determining the sleeping and feeding patterns of all animals. Innate Behavior

b) Migration – periodic movement from one place to another - Geographical clues - Earth’s magnetic field. - Can be triggered by hormones Innate Behavior Behavioral cycles Salmon Migration Monarch Migration

c) Hibernation – dormancy during winter –Reduce their need for energy –Can be caused by temperature change and day length change Innate Behavior Behavioral cycles

d) Estivation –dormancy during summer. -takes place during times of heat and dryness Innate Behavior Behavioral cycles Desert Tortoise Nile Crocodile also known as "summer sleep" Snails in S. Australia

Learned Behavior These behaviors are acquired or learned over time. Organisms can alter their behaviors as a result of experience. Allows animals to adapt.

Habituation – organism decreases or stops its response to a repetitive stimulus that neither rewards nor harms the animal Learned Behavior By ignoring the stimulus, animals can spend their time & energy more efficiently. When prairie dog towns are located near trails used by humans, giving alarm calls every time a person walks by is a waste of time and energy for the group. Deer have learned to come into yards to feed with no fear of people or barking dogs.

Behaviors that involve both innate and learned behaviors - - Imprinting –animal returns to the place of its birth to lay its eggs –animal imprints on its mother

Imprinting An animal imprints on its mother

Adaptations for Defense Mechanical defenseMechanical defense is incorporated into the physical structure of the organism. –claws, sharp tusks, stingers, shells, ink, size

Mechanical defense camouflage.

Chemical defenseChemical defense occurs when the animal produces stinging sensations, paralysis, neurotoxins, poisoning, or just a bad taste. Blue Arrow frogsLion Fish Monarch on Milkweed Bombardier beetles

Behavior An animal’s response to a stimulus. Innate behaviors are instinctive, like birds defending their nesting place, and are influenced by genes. territorial behaviors, organisms defend an area and keep out other organisms. Learned behaviors are changed by various experiences, such as training a family pet to come when its name is called. Clip