Behave Yourself! – A Summary of Animal Behaviors J. R. Jones Spring 2006

Innate Behavior Also known as an instinct or inborn behavior. This is a behavior that an organisms is born knowing how to do. It is not learned. These behaviors are generally essential to the organisms survival. –Example: a spider building its first web.

Suckling to nurse Ex: Pigs

Imprinting Ex: Ducklings follow their mothers

Migration Ex: Geese

Hibernation Ex: bears, chipmunks, frogs

Estivation Ex: African bullfrog and fringe toed lizard

Positive Chemotaxis Ex: Male cockroach pheromones attract females

Negative Chemotaxis Ex: The smell of a skunk repels animals.

Positive Phototaxis Ex: Moths to a light.

Negative Phototaxis Ex: Moles live underground.

Circadian Rhythms Ex: Human alertness during the day

Learned Behavior This is a behavior that is altered as a result of experience. Ex. Mother bear teachers her cubs what to eat. Ex: Nest building

Conditioning Ex: Training a dog

Trial and Error (Operant Conditioning) Ex: Learning to press a lever for food.

Trial and Error Students who study get good grades.

Habituation Dog ignores all cars driving by until your car pulls up.

Social Behavior The various ways in which an organism interacts with members of its own species. Social behaviors can vary greatly, depending on whether the organisms live together or lead solitary lives (interacting only to reproduce).

Competition Ex: Rams fighting for mates. Squirrels fighting for territory.

Territoriality Ex: Wolves will mark their territory. Male beta fish fight other males in their territory

Courtship Ex: Necking, dancing for mates in condors.

Communication There are various forms of communication that may be used by a given species, including: –Visual signals (defined movements and coloration) –Chemical signals (pheromones) –Sounds

Visual Communication – Cuttlefish changes colors to indicate mood/messages.

Sounds Birds – singing Dolphins – signature ‘whistle’ and echo location Primates & Humans - language

Chemical Signals (Pheromones) Bees use pheromones to help other bees find food, nectar, and the hive. Lions use pheromones to indicate readiness to mate and identify their cubs.

Other Interesting Behavioral Patterns Mimicry and Camouflage - These are genetically linked properties that enhance the survival of the organism.

Mimicry Ex:Monarch and viceroy butterflies Viceroy mimics the bitter-tasting monarch butterfly.

Mimicry Ex: Coral snake mimics Scarlet King Snakes mimic poisonous coral snakes.

Mimicry Ex: Praying mantis

Protective Coloration/Camouflage snakes (viper) and toads

Warning Coloration Poison dart frog and black widow spider