Social Behaviour Flashcards
What are the advantages of group living?
- feeding efficiency
- protection from predators
- access to mates
- increased survival of young
- physiological factors
What are the disadvantages of group living?
- increased conspicuousness
- competition for food
- increased risk of disease
- increased risk of inbreeding
What is dominance?
A pattern of behaviour between conspecifics where one animal has a higher status than another
What is the main purpose of dominance?
To minimise and avoid confrontation and for access to resources
Why have animals evolved strategies to avoid physical contact ?
Energy costs and avoiding injury
What strategies are used to maintain dominance?
- vocalisations
- body posture
- scent marking
- displays
What is aggression?
Physical act of threat of action intended to cause harm to maintain dominance
What can aggression mean?
It can be fear and anxiety
What is submission?
Where one animal has learnt to be subordinate to another, it accepts a lower status and displays signs of submission
Who benefits from dominance?
Hierarchies can be long term or seasonal. There is linear it complex hierarchies
What is agnostic behaviour?
All aspects or conflict behaviour eg threats, chases and physical combat. Maybe inter and intra specific
What is stress?
A psychological state, results from excessive pressures
