Animal Behavior

Behavior The way an organism interacts with other organisms and its environment Stimulus- anything in the environment that causes a reaction

Innate Behavior A behavior an animal is born with Reflex- automatic response that does not involve a message from the brain Instinct- complex pattern of innate behavior

Learned Behavior Develops during an animal’s lifetime as a result of experience or practice In changing environments, animals that have the ability to learn a new behavior are more likely to survive Learning can modify instincts Imprinting- when an animal forms a social attachment to other organism after birth or hatching Conditioning- behavior is modified so that a response to one stimulus becomes associated with a different stimulus Insight- allows animals to use past experiences to solve new problems

Social behavior Interactions among organisms of the same species Courting, mating, caring for young, claiming territories Society- a group of animals of the same species living and working together in an organized way

Territorial Behavior Territory- an area that an animal defends from other members of the same species Contain food, shelter, and potential mates Aggression- forceful behavior used to dominate or control another animal Submission- animals might show submissive behavior or avoid being injured or to show other animal its dominant Defending territory is an instinctive behavior

Communication Action by a sender that influences the behavior of a reciever Courtship behavior- performed before mating Pheromones- chemicals produced by one animal that influences the behavior of another animal of the same species Sound communication used by insects/vertebrates Light communication Flies, marine animals, beetles use bioluminescence Used to lure prey, escape predators, locate mate

Cyclic Behavior Innate behavior that occurs in a repeating pattern Circadian rhythm- behavior based on 24 hour cycle Diurnal- animals active during day Nocturnal- animals active at night Crepuscular- animals active at dawn and dusk

Hibernation Cyclic response to cold temperatures and limited food supplies Body temperature and breathing rate drop Some mammals and many amphibians/reptiles do it

Estivation State of reduced activity similar to hibernation Desert animals estivate due to lack of food or periods of drought

Migration Instinctive seasonal movement of animals Move to new locations when seasons change Do so in order to find food or reproduce in an environment that is more favorable for survival of offspring