Topic 6: Social Behaviour Flashcards
What are examples of social behaviours?
Social hierarchy, cooperative hunting, social defence
What is social hierarchy?
Social hierarchy is a rank order within a group of animals
What does the social hierarchy consist of?
Dominant and subordinate members
What displays do dominant animals carry out within a social hierarchy?
Ritualistic (threat) displays to reduce conflict
What displays to subordinate animals carry out within a social hierarchy?
Appeasement behaviour is to reduce conflict
What is the benefit of a social hierarchy?
They increase the chances of the dominant animal’s favourable genes being passed onto offspring
How do animals in social hierarchies increase their social status within the group?
The animals often form alliances to increase their social status
Who does coorporative hunting benefit?
Both subordinate and dominant animals
When food is scarce which animals within a social hierarchy eat first?
The dominant individuals eat first The dominant individuals eat first ensuring their survival when food is scarce
Why might foraging alone be more beneficial to subordinate animals?
They may gain more food by foraging alone
Why is cooperative hunting beneficial?
Less energy is used per individual
What does corporative hunting enable?
Enables larger prey to be cut and increases the chance of a successful catch
When will food sharing occur?
food sharing will occur as long as the reward for food sharing exceeds that of foraging individually
What does social defence strategies do?
Increase the chance of survival as some individuals can watch for predators whilst others can forage for food
Social defence strategies include…
Groups adopting specialised formations when under attack to protect their young
