Ethology

Question 1

What is Ethology

Answer 1

the study of animal behavior

Question 2

how is Ethology typically done

Answer 2

observational and field-based but can be done in captivity.

Question 3

what do studies typically focus on?

Answer 3

they typically focus on distinguishing innate behaviors, typical behaviors, alterations of behavior to the environment as well as social structure and mating practice.

Question 4

what is an ethogram and what is typically included

Answer 4

A list of behaviors you want to focus on in order to answer a research question.
typically behaviors can range but can include: grooming, resting, moving, feeding, marking, urinating, mating, displacement, and socializing.

Question 5

requirements for behaviors

Answer 5

• must make a clear definition of what constitutes each behavior
• Behaviors must be discrete categories with no overlap
• clearly define each behavior distinctly for all members of the group.
• must code the same behaviors

Question 6

Types of data collection

Answer 6

• focal vs. group

Question 7

focal data collection

Answer 7

focuses on one individual for a certain length of time.

Question 8

group data collection

Answer 8

taking data on multiple individuals
- can be one demographic or all members in a social group.

Question 9

instantaneous scan sampling.

Answer 9

collecting data at a single, repeatable interval.
- used to get a glimpse of what an animal or group is doing at one particular moment.
scans are taken at specific intervals of time typically 5 or 10 min in the field or 1-3 min in captivity.
- when it is time for a scan you record using the code developed in your ethogram what the individual or group is doing at the moment.

Question 10

Continuous sampling

Answer 10

• used for animals that are easier to follow
• usually have time bins where you tally how many times an individual does a behavior within that time frame.
• hard to do for an entire group
• mostly follow one individual for 10-30 min then switch individuals.

Question 11

Things to do when stating data collection

Answer 11

• record the exact time of starting
• GPS
• Weather
• other animals in the area
• any other factors that could influence behavior.

Question 12

knowing Habituation status before data collection

Answer 12

are the animals habituated, if not must go through habituation.
if yes, must get to know them bf data collection begins
- identify each individual
- how many are in the group
- what is the sex ratio.