UNDERSTANDING ANIMAL BEHAVIOR Behavior acting or functioning in a specified usual way. response of an organism to a stimulus.

s. property of all living things. Ethology is the zoological study of animal behavior. Ethology differs from the study of Animal Behavior. Animal behaviorists interest on learned behaviors, trained in psychology. Ethologists concentrate on innate behaviors, trained as zoologists. COMMUNICATION Communication is transmission, exchange of information between two or more organisms. Transmission and exchange of information between organisms. Mutually advantageous information exchange. Sharing of information between individuals. Intended information transmission. Behavior involving signals. ses of communication in animals Courtship and breeding !arning, group spacing and coordination "nteraction distress, emotion, maintain social contact, identification #urvey and location $unting for food %iving and soliciting care and play Components of communication #ignal information carrier &e.g. bird's song and waving of a claw( #ignaler &sender, generator, actor( animal producing a signal &e.g. singing bird and waving crab( )eceiver &detector, reactor( animal pic*ing up a signal &e.g. another bird or crab( +odes of communication #ignal,+ode -isual Acoustic -ibrational Chemical Examples Courtship dances, firefly light patterns, facial expression, gesture, posturing. or-ibrational cues including sound &bird and cric*et song(, throat, wings, legs, chest. .heromones &group cohesion, pheromones, etc.( territoriality, identification, sex

/actile or +echanical /ouching of antennae, nudging, pawing, cuddling, etc. Electrical +ultimodal Electric eels and electric fish communicate through charged pulses. 0irected at several senses.

-isual signal use reflected light or generated light &e.g. fireflies(. Advantages1 easily locatable, can be changed rapidly. 0isadvantages1 cannot travel round corners, through dense vegetation, ris* of predation, ineffective in dar*ness. /ransitory signals &e.g. +ovement( or permanent signals &e.g. colors(. Acoustic signal Acoustic signal and vibrational or seismic signals are always transitory. Advantages1 effective in both terrestrial and a2uatic environments, rapid signal transmission and change. 0isadvantages1 sub3ect to environmental interference, changing levels of bac*ground noise, sound dampening and vegetation structure. Chemical signal Can be broadcast by diffusion or by movement or air and water currents or deposited in the ground. Advantages1 longer4lasting, provides unambiguous message. 0isadvantages1 follow irregular routes and travel at reduced speeds. /actile,mechanical signal )ely on contact between the signaler and receiver &e.g. beetles touching antennae(. Advantages1 high locatability and high rate of signal change. 0isadvantage1 effective only at extremely short range. Electrical signal sed by fresh water fish &African mormyrid and #outh American gymnotid( that can generate electrical signal. Advantage1 effective in mur*y shallow water where neither light nor sound is effective. 0isadvantage1 cannot be transmitted through air, restricted to a2uatic environment, range up to a meter. +ultimodal signal +ultimodal signal directed at several senses. Combination of bright colors, sounds, chemicals, etc. Echolocation using sound to find ob3ects in environment

SPACING BEHAVIOR "ndividual distance is the distance an animal attempts to maintain between itself and other animals. %roup distance is the distance a group of animals attempts to maintain between it and other groups. .ersonal or individual space refers to the space occupied by an animal. $ead space refers to the area that an animal attempts to maintain around its head in crowded conditions. #ocial distance refers to the maximum distance animals will allow in terms of separation from a group or another individual. 5light distance is the distance an animal attempts to maintain between itself and other individuals such as those that threaten well4being or may offer something the animal assumed to be undesirable. $ome range refers to an area selected and used routinely by a group of animals. /erritorial refers to a behavioral characteristic in which animals define and in some cases mar* an area and defend it from use by other animals. SOCIAL STRUCTURE Advantages of grouping together .redation and foraging "nformation exchange Access to mate and helpers for rearing animals /hermoregulation #urvival andprotection 6abor distribution 0isadvantages of grouping together Competition for food Competition for mate 0isease transmission 0ifferent social structures male dominant female dominant, alpha4beta4gamma males males alone and females alone with their young solitary random no social structure

/ypes of dominance 7ne leader, e2ual subordinates 6inear A dominates B, B dominates C /riangular A dom. B, B dom. C, C dom. A #pecies coalition /ypes of aggression fear4related pain, space and annoyance related frustration4boredom related maternal defense of offspring sex4related Examples of aggressive behaviors in farm animals Boars slash with their tus*s and bite front legs. #ows and young pigs bite. Bulls paw with the front hooves and dig the ground with horns. #heep stamp, *ic* with foreleg and butt. %oats rear up before actual butting. $orses chase the aggressor. Classification of wor*er bees in the social structure forager water collector scout, guard fanner plasterer underta*er

DEFENSIVE ANIMAL BEHAVIOR 7ffenses that trigger animal defensive behavior /erritorial when one animal occupies another's space or food, another could consider this trespass a threat to itself or its family. +ortal , 5atal when the animal faces individual extinction, as it is sub3ected to predation /ypes of defensive behavior

!ithdrawal when an animal does not run away, but moves to a safe place, such as a rabbit to its hole or a clownfish to a sea anemone. 5light 4 is simply getting away by running and tric*ery. Bluffing this behavior ma*es the attac*ed confront its adversary and, through displays and posturing, it is often made to seem too great a threat so the attac*er 2uits the battle. .assive behavior or freezing 4 +ost often seen in young animals, this behavior re2uires the animal to simply remain motionless in hopes that the threat will go away or fail to see it. 5ighting bac* usually, when animals are cornered, they have no choice but to fight bac*. #trategies of animal defense Camouflage avoiding detection through disguise as inanimate ob3ect, disappearing against the bac*ground of environment, hiding in the crowd by resembling nonprey species. $ow coloration, altering appearance, use of surrounding materials. Counter4shading dar*ly colored on dorsal surface but pale underneath. )educes the silhouette presented by the animal by reducing the effect of any shadows cast by the curve of the body surface due to light from above. Altering one's appearance altering color pattern to match their bac*ground. .redator distraction displays advertising presence to distract predator. E.g. bro*en wing display, death4feigning behavior. +imicry mimic*ing dangerous nonfood animals through bright and contrasting patterns of red, yellow and blac*. +ullerian mimicry group of species honestly advertise that they are poisonous to eat. Batesian mimicry another species ta*ing advantage of a poisonous species model. +isdirecting the attac* behaviors that direct the attac*ing predator away from vital body parts and towards expendable but conspicuous parts of the body. E.g. tail shedding or automoty +obbing when a predator is detected, the local prey population will mob it, even if it is not actively hunting. se of physical attributes include armors, shells, claws, teeth, enzymes. .artnering, team4up or living in group antipredator cooperation &$erding( .artnering, team4up or living in group antipredator cooperation &5loc*ing( .artnering, team4up or living in group antipredator cooperation &#tampede(

BIOLOGICAL RHYTHMS AND SLEEP #leep is a period of immobility. "t can be deep or 2uiet. .hases of sleep 0eep, or 2uiet, sleep an animal's breathing slows and its urine flow stops. Active sleep &when dreams occur( the heartbeat fluctuates, muscles may 3er* and rapid eye movements are noticeable. 8inds of sleep $ibernation or winter sleep during cold weather for warm blooded animals. Aestivation or summer sleep during hot weather for cold4blooded animals. #ome animals are capable of unihemispheric sleep &half4mind sleep(, such as duc*s and dolphins. Benefits of sleep conserves energy

 avoids harsh temperature. #pectrum of biological rhythms Circatidal approximately 9:.;4hr rhythm synchronized to the semidiurnal tidal rhythm. Circadian approximately :;4hr rhythm synchronized to the solar day. Circalunar approximately :<.=4day rhythm synchronized to the lunar month. Circannual approximately >?=4day rhythm synchronized to the solar year. .laces of sleep /rees, underground, water, caves, open areas #leep patterns diurnal &active during the day( nocturnal &active during the night( crepuscular &active during dawn and dus*( .osture during sleep upside down, tuc*ed in, standing, lying Average amount of sleep per day : hrs giraffe > hrs don*ey, horse, roe deer ; hrs elephant, goat, sheep, cow @ hrs dolphin A hrs humans, rabbit, pig, guinea pig < hrs mole, dog chimpanzee, rhesus mon*ey, s2uirrel mon*ey, 9B hrs baboon, hedgehog 99 hrs beaver, fox, 3aguar, 9: hrs gorilla 9> hrs chinchilla, wolf, raccoon, rat, mouse 9; hrs hamster, gorillas 9= hrs cat, s2uirrel, chipmun*, gerbil rat 9@ hrs owl mon*ey 9< hrs opossum :B hrs bat

Bigger animals sleep relatively shorter hours than smaller animals. /his is due to their slow metabolism.

INGESTIVE BEHAVIOR 5ood chain .rimary consumers $erbivores and 7mnivores #econdary consumers #mall carnivores /ertiary consumers Eats secondary consumers #cavengers 0ecomposers Eats CleftoversD /ypes of feeding based on food1 Carnivores flesh eaters, insectivores, piscivores, parasites $erbivores large plant, small plants, browsers, seed,fruit eaters, plant 3uice suc*ers 7mnivores =BE plant and =BE animal 5oraging strategies %eneralist strategy #pends more time on loo*ing for food than pursuing it. #pecialist strategy #pends more time on pursuing food than searching for it. 6et's the animal practice their s*ills in catching their prey. .redatory strategies #it and wait predation sed by predators whose prey is continuously moving. Bears /raps A type of sit and wait predation #piders use their web to catch other insects. Aggressive mimicry Animal uses some biological characteristic to lure prey. .arasitism 7ne species of animal feeds on a part of another animal. .arasite is usually smaller than its prey. .ursuit strategy 6oo*s for a prey then chases it. Bats 6ions 8ingfishers SEXUAL BEHAVIOR #exual cycle1 proestrus, metestrus, estrus, diestrus

#easonal breeders, monthly breeders.

7vulation,laying of eggs even without male animals. Courtship ritualized behavior leading to mating +ating placement of sperm in vicinity of eggs. "dentifying mates visual cues, chemical signals, sounds .heromones chemical substances secreted by an animal that are used in communication with other members of same species. +ating systems monogamy single partner polygamy multiple partners polygyny single male, multiple females polyandry single female, multiple males Benefits of polyandry1 fertility assurance more paternal care nutrients derived from courtship protection from male harassment genetic diversity attractive genes +ale adaptations to counter polyandry1 .reventing sperm competition mate guarding, reducing or inhibiting female receptivity &chemicals from semen(, creating physical barriers to insemination &mating plug(, sexual interference &stac*s of spermatophores(, sperm removal Engaging in sperm competition e3aculating greater 2uantities of sperm, repeated mating, strategic allocation of e3aculate +ales loo* for 2uantity. 5emales loo* for 2uality. +ating in animals Animals mate only during estrus or heat period. #ome animals mate only with one partner. #ome animals *ill their mates after mating. #exual conflict #exual cannibalism female *ills and cannibalizes a courting or mating male. %enital damage genital wounding of females. +ales opposing female copulation attempts 5emales opposing male copulation attempts PARENTAL BEHAVIOR

Basic needs of young ones 5ood and drin* .rotection #helter and warmth +aternal care #ome animals are born helpless and need the utmost care of parents, while some animals can stand up immediately. #ome animals are left to fend for their own while other animals are fed by their parents for days, wee*s or months. #ome animals are carried by their parents in pouches, bac*, mouth, etc. )egurgitation vomiting of ingested food for feed to the young. !eaning period when the young's food change from mil* to solid food and when the young is separated from its parents. Animal daddies Catfish, frog, wolf, coc*roach, sea horse, penguin, sand grouse, rhea

LEARNING Animal cognition scientific study of the mental lives of animals and encompasses learning, memory and thought. "t involves the ability to thin* about how another individual might thin*. .roblems of studying animal cognition Anthropomorphism tendency to view animals as people. Anthropocentrism tendency to observe animals from human perspective. /ypes of learning $abituation progressive decrease in the strength of a behavioral response to a continuing stimulus. &e.g. response of stress to noise(. #ensitization the general increase in response &e.g. escape response( to a continuing noxious stimulus &e.g. noise or violent threat(. Conditioning learning or conditioning that occurs when a conditioned stimulus &e.g. sound( is paired with an unconditioned stimulus &e.g. food( such that a reflexive response &e.g. salivation( is initiated. 7perant learning or conditioning learning related to dimensions of self4control of some aspect of the animal's environment, e.g. rewards. 7bservational learning learning behaviors from other animals. Aversion learning through negative reinforcement, punishment, escape and avoidance. #haping is a form of learning that may involve waiting until an animal performs a specific behavior. &e.g. training a dog to roll over(.

 .renatal and neonatal learning. 6earning during early development of animals. )einforcement learning through positive conditional actions. #ocial learning learning through exposure, stimulant enhancement, imitation and emulation

BEHAVIORAL DISORDERS Abnormal behavior uncommon, aberrant, undesirable, disorderly, inappropriate behavior, different from usual. Causes of abnormal behavior Extremes of natural behavior at the limits of natural variation +alfunction, diseases, deficiencies &e.g. mineral( Conflict, uncertainty, stress and boredom Abnormal stimuli or environmental surroundings Examples of abnormal behavior 5oal re3ection )e3ection of a foal by its dam &mother(. #eparation anxiety #eparation anxiety in dogs is the fear or disli*e of isolation. Cannibalism Cannibalism is associated with large poultry floc*s where the birds *ept in close confinement pec* at other birds. Coprophagy Coprophagy is the ingestion of fecal material. .hysical aggression in iguana .hysical aggression manifests itself through biting or tail wiping &the whip4li*e tail of an "guana could seriously in3ure an eye and their 3aws are strong enough to sever a mouseFs head from itFs body in a single bite(. Cross4suc*ing in calves Cross4suc*ing is defined as one calf suc*ing the ear, mouth, scrotum, prepuce, tail, udder area or navel of another calf. 5eather4pic*ing and self4mutilation in birds 5eather pic*ing is excessive self grooming, that includes pic*ing at, pluc*ing out, or chewing on feathers. $eadsha*ing in horses $eadsha*ing occurs when a horse sha*es its head in the absence of obvious extraneous stimuli.

$erbivorous house cat !hile cats are generally considered to be carnivorous animals, all cats seem to have some predisposition to eat vegetable matter, whether it be grass, leaves, or house plants. .ica behavior in dog A common problem in dogs is the ingestion of unnatural ob3ects such as candy wrappers, toilet paper, or soc*s. /his poses a serious threat to the health of the dog. .ica behavior in horses .ica, or depraved appetite, refers to the eating of materials other than normal food. /ypes1 osteophagia &chewing of bones(G coprophagia &eating of feces(G lignophagia &chewing and eating of wood(G and geophagia &eating of soil or sand(. .lay aggression in cats 5eline play aggression is aggressive interaction between a cat and another cat or between a cat and people. .roblem bar*ing Bar*ing is characterized by a series of short, sharp sounds, that tend to vary little in tone or pitch. .roblem chewing Chewing in rabbits is an instinctive behaviour as they need to chew in order to wear down their incisors which grow continuously throughout their lives. #tereotypic movement in zoo animals "t can be a movement repeated regularly or an exaggerated form of a purposeful behavior. 5orms of stereotypic movements in zoos1 9. .acing 4 the animal moves repeatedly bac* and forth in a straight line or perhaps moves in a circular or figure eight pattern in its enclosure. :. #tationary movements are repeated nonlocomotive acts such as roc*ing, head tossing or weaving. #ubmissive urination in dog #ubmissive urinator is a dog that urinates all over the floor as soon as it becomes excited, aroused, or intimidated. /railering problem in horses $orses ac2uire trailering problems primarily through improper training or bad experiences. rine mar*ing in female cats 5or female unspayed cats in a natural setting, urine mar*ing is a normal behavior used to attract a mate. !ool suc*ing in cat "n wool suc*ing, a cat will suc* or chew on wool. "n some cats, the suc*ing begins with wool, but then progresses to other available materials such as cotton or even plastic.