Animal Behavior Flashcards
Psychology
The scientific study of the human or animal mind and its function
Sociobiology
The scientific study of social behavior in animals and humans
Physiological processes
The function of living organisms through their organ systems, organs, tissues, cells, and other processes necessary to sustain life
Species
A group or class of organisms which have common characteristics or qualities
Amino acids
The building blocks of protein
Protein
Substance required for the structure, function, and regulation of the body’s cells, tissue, and organs
Why study animal behavior?
-to examine the reaction of animal to stimuli
-to understand animal reactions in its environment
-to determine internal, external, and learned factors towards animal behavior
Normal behavior
The individual behavior which is smilie to those of the same species.
-relaxed
-alert
-ears erect and forward
Abnormal behavior
The individual behavior which is not similar to hose of the same species.
-showing aggression
-stiff body posture
-shaking
-lowering body or tail
-showing teeth
-cowering
Exotic animal abnormal behavior
-plucking feathers
-self mutilation
-rocking
-pacing
-aggression
-biting
Aggressive social behavior
Establishing dominance in a group
Aggressive territorial behavior
Protecting resources
Aggressive fear behavior
Protecting self or others from a perceived threat
Aggressive maternal behavior
Protecting offspring
Aggressive predatory behavior
Attacking prey to obtain food
Genetics
The science of heredity and variation of inherited traits among related organisms. Explains instincts vs. learned behaviors
Instinct
An innate or fixed behavioral response
Learned behavior
-Occurs as a result of experience
-Animals become adaptive to the situation rather than relying on innate behaviors
Habituation
-occurs when animals become accustomed to a particular situation through frequent repetition
-animals ignore an event that they would once consider dangerous
Conditioning
Animals learn to respond to a stimulus due to rewards or punishments
Operant response
Animals associates a behavior with pain or pleasure to either reinforce or discourage the behavior
Observation
An animal watches the actions of another and learns those actions
Playing
-helps animals learn movements and become successful predators
-prepares young animals for survival in adulthood
Imprinting
-rapid learning which occurs during a brief receptive period after birth or hatching
-learning during this period is irreversible
Pheromones
Chemicals secreted by an animal which influences the behavior of other animals in the same species
Aggregation pheromones
-promotes the grouping or flocking of animals
-attracts both male and female animals
-influences animals to form groups for protection, migration, and mating
Alarm pheromones
-warn animals of possible predators and threats
-triggers defensive and aggressive behavior
-when emitted by one animal, others will respond
Territorial pheromones
-defines the claimed area of a specific organism
-warns other animals of a nearby dominant animals
-can be used to recognize other animals
Trail pheromones
-allow animals to follow one another
-lead others to food sources, new colonies, and prey animals to kill
-permits lost animals to find the group by following the scent
Sex pheromones
-attracts the opposite sex in animals
-allows animals to detect when the opposite sex animals is receptive to mating
-used by predators to lure prey into capture
Hormones
Chemical substances in the body that regulates specific physiological processes
Sex hormones
-responsible for sexual development and reproduction
-female hormones: estrogen and progesterone
-mail hormone: testosterone
Environment
-the surroundings, influences, and conditions affecting an organism
Threats to safety
-occurs when predators attack, animals, intrude, or animals feel trapped
-animals become tense and aggressive
-enacts flight or fight response
Communication
-classified based on the way animals receive signals
-chemoreception, mechanoreception, visual communication, vocal communication, and courtship rituals
Chemoreception
-the physiological response to a chemical stimuli
-recognizing and exhibiting pheromones and identifying based on taste
Mechanoreception
-an animals response to external stimuli
-includes communication through vibrations
Visual communication
-competition among males for the most impressive mating display
-wards off other males competitors
-uses facial expressions and body language
-alerts predators and their preys positions
Vocal communication
Giving and receiving audible noises from one animal to another
Courtship rituals
-attracts members of the opposite sex for mating
-jumping, dancing, singing, or displaying decoration
-males become more territorial and aggressive
