Inherited Traits and Learned Behavior Some traits are inherited by plants and animals from their parents Differences in inherited traits affect the ability of animals and plants to survive changes in the environment Animals are able to learn some behaviors as they interact with their environment

Inherited Traits All plants and animals inherit characteristics from their parents. These inherited traits are passed on from the parents to their children. When you inherit a trait, like eye color or height, you cannot change it. What are some traits you inherited form your parents?

Instinctive Behavior Some traits are behaviors—the way animals, and in some cases plants, act. Instinctive behaviors are behaviors one does not have to learn. Examples of instinctive behavior: –Swallowing –Birds flying in groups –Migration

Learned Behavior Learned behavior happens when an animal learns to do or not do something based on what happened to it when it did that action before. Example: A deer sees anew type of flower and eats it. The flower tastes good and the deer eats it again.

Surviving Environmental Change Inherited traits can help living things survive in their environment. If the environment changes, some inherited traits may become more helpful or advantageous. Example: A rabbit may have white fur. In the snow, the rabbit is harder to see. Gradually, the rabbit’s fur will become whiter.

Additional Information Learned behaviors can also help animals survive environmental changes. Each new group of animals has to learn the behavior from their parents or discover it on their own.