Vocabulary

Animal Behavior Vocab• Ethology: Study of Animal Behavior

• Behavior: Action performed in response to stimulus

Stimulus• Stimulus – Something that elicits a response

• Some examples:• Sight • Touch• Smell• Taste• Sound

Other Stimuli• Heat • Light• Chemicals• Humidity• Vibration• Color• Gravity• Pressure• **Presence of another animal**• Any Others??

Stimuli• External Stimulus: Something outside the animal• Examples:• Sound• Sight • Smell • Presence of another animal • Etc.

Stimuli• Internal Stimulus: Something inside the animal• Examples:• Hunger • Fatigue• Feeling cold• Hormones

Types of Behavior• 1. Foraging – Feeding• Example:

• Locate• Obtain• And Consume food

Types of Behavior• 2. Parental Care – Ensuring survival of young• Example:

• Carrying• Nursing• Cuddling• Holding young

Types of Behavior• 3. Courtship – attracting a mate• Example:

• Courtship displays• Bright feathers• Songs • Other vocalizations• Head butting• Fighting

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gqsMTZQ-pmE

Types of Behavior• 4. Reproductive:• Example:

• Mating• Giving Birth

Types of Behavior• 5. Offensive/Defensive – • Aggression, submissive behavior, defense from aggressors• Example:

• Hiding • Fighting• Escape• Threatening

Types of Behavior• 6. Territorial – Protect a resource for exclusive use• Example:

• Scenting/Marking• Birdsong• Protection of mate• Offspring• Space• Food or water source

Types of Behavior• 7. Social – Work to create alliances, help the group• Example:

• Grooming• Babysitting• Defense of young• Play• Play fight

Types of Behavior• 8. Migratory – Movement to a more suitable environment as

seasons change• Examples:

• Dry vs. Rainy seasons• Winter vs. Summer range for birds• **Salmon going upriver to spawn**

Types of Behavior• 9. Communication – signaling between one animal and

another.

• Example:• Greeting • (Sniff, Hug, Kiss, “Bite”)

• Aggression• (Charge, Bite, Hit, Fight)

• Non-aggression• (Patting, Head butting)

• Grooming• (Bonding, Alliances, keeping clean)

• Group Hunting • (Hyenas, Lions)

Types of Behavior• Communication Continued…..

• Vocalizations:• Bark, Growl, Snort, Howl, Hoot, Chirp, Whinny, Alarm Sound, Other

Language• Non-verbal Signaling:• Showing teeth, looking away, looking directly at, gesturing, thumping,

beating chest, raising hackles or hood, drumming, tail slap, snorting, etc.

Why communicate?• Defense (Warn Away)• Examples: ????

• Alliance (Get help or mate)

• Elicit Play

Types of Behavior• 10. Curiosity – Investigating new stimulus in environment.• Example:

• Approach• Sniff• Chew • Bite• Mount

Types of Behavior• 11. Elimination – Defecation, urination

Types of Behavior• 12. Resting- Apparent inaction• Example:

• Lying down• Sitting• Basking• Sleeping

Types of Behavior• 13. Play • Purpose – Training for life

• Example• Defense• Hunting• Etc.

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