Inherited & Learned Behaviors Mrs. Serena’s Favorite Things © Adapted by Mrs. P

Yesterday we learned about traits. Today we are going to talk about behaviors. How are behaviors and traits different?

Inherited Behavior Behaviors are things that animals do. A behavior that an animal is born able to do is an instinct.

For example: * Puppies are born knowing how to suck milk. *Some animals have instinct to move, or migrate when seasons change. *Other animals hibernate in the winter such as bears and bats.

Learned Behaviors A learned trait is a behavior that an animal develops by observing other animals or being taught.

For example: * Riding a bike. *A chimp poking a stick in an insect nest to collect insects to eat. *A dog fetching a stick.

Can you identify the learned behaviors and the inherited behaviors?

Learned or Inherited? A colt wearing a saddle and bridle to carry someone on its back. Learned behavior

Learned or Inherited? Cheetahs knowing how to sneak up on an animal. Learned behavior

Learned or Inherited? The ability to roll your tongue. Try and see if you can roll yours. Inherited behavior

Learned or Inherited? A dog pants when it is hot. Inherited behavior

Learned or Inherited? Chimpanzees using twigs to fish for termites. Learned behavior

Learned or Inherited? A person brushing his teeth. Learned behavior

Learned or Inherited? A sunflower turns towards the sun throughout the day. Inherited behavior

Learned or Inherited? Your fish swim to the top of the fish tank before you drop the food in. Learned trait

Learned or Inherited? Bats hunt for food at night using echolocation. Inherited behavior

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Now its your turn…. Let’s make an Inherited behavior chart & Learned behaviors chart. You will need 1 sheet of copy paper.

Now its your turn…. Write Inherited behaviors on one side of your paper in the center. Put a circle around it. Do the same for Learned behaviors on the back side of your paper.

Your paper should look like this…. Inherited Behaviors

The back of your paper should look like this…. Learned Behaviors

Now its your turn…. Now you will write at least 3 or more things for each side. Write it neatly. Draw a circle or oval around each one and connect it with a line to the circle in the middle.

For example your paper should look like this…. Inherited Behaviors hibernating

The back of your paper should look like this…. Learned Behaviors Swimming

Now its your turn…. You may work on this within your group. You have 10 minutes.

Exit ticket

Explain the difference between an inherited and learned behavior. Give examples of each. Your exit ticket will look like this but be smaller. Answer the question and give examples. When you finish put it in the exit ticket box.