Animal Behavior

An action or group of actions performed by an animal in response to some stimulus

Innate Behavior• The behavior is known from birth and

does not have to be learned• Also known as instincts• Examples:

– Reflexes– Eating– Flight or Fight Response* Circadian rhythm: based on the 24 hour cycle

of the day; light regulated; may determine when an animal sleeps and wakes

Learned Behavior

• Not known at birth, behavior changes as a result of experience or practice

• Types: Habituation, Classical Conditioning, Operant Conditioning, Insight

• Imprinting: forms a social attachment to another object Ex: duckling following a mother duck

Habituation

• Simplest type of learning• Animal stops responding to a

stimulus to which it is repeatedly exposed to

• Ignoring a stimulus• Example: Students and third period

bells

Classical Conditioning

• Animal makes a mental connection between a stimulus and some kind of reward or punshiment

• Example: Cat and the sound of a can opener

Classical Condition (Pavlov’s Dog)

Operant Conditioning

• Animal learns to repeat behaviors that result in reward and avoid behaviors that result in punishment.

• Also known as trial and error• Example: Good grades and

performing well in school

Insight Learning

• Most complicated form of learning• Occurs when an animal applies

something it has already learned to a new situation.

• Example: Applying what you learned in math to science class

Social Behavior

• Any behavior between members of same species

• Examples:– Courtship: dating– Dominance Hierarchy: Queen Bee– Territorial: defends space, mate, or food

Migration, Estivation, and Hibernation

• Migration- instinctive, seasonal movement of animals Ex: birds migrate to south during winter

• Estivation- state of reduced metabolism that occurs in animals living in conditions of intense heat

• Hibernation- state in which the body temperature drops substantially, oxygen levels decrease, and breathing rates decline

PheronomesChemical Comminucators

• chemicals emitted by living organisms to send messages to individuals of the same species.

• Communication between organisms

• Use sights, sounds, smells, and touches

• Ex: lion roars when in danger; dog barking at an intruder