Ecological Behaviors
Chapter 31.2
1. Describe competitive behaviors and give
examples.
2. Describe types of communication, nurturing and
cooperative behaviors.
Animals that engage in complex behaviors might
survive and reproduce because they have inherited
more favorable characteristics…
Competitive Behavior
 competition for food, space, mates and other
resources between individuals within a
population
 animals that have successful competitive
behaviors are more likely to have resources
needed for survival and reproduction
agonistic behavior: threatening or combative
interaction between two individuals of the same
species
 usually does not result in injury or death – one
will submit
dominance hierarchies: a top-ranked animal gets
access to resources without conflict from other
animals in the group – helps reduce hostile behavior
between members
territorial behaviors: attempts to adopt and control
a physical area against the other animals of the
same species
 include verbal signals (chattering of squirrels) and
chemical signals (urine)
Foraging Behaviors
 finding and eating food
Migratory Behavior
 moving long distances seasonally to new locations
increasing the chance of survival
Biological Rhythms
 repeated behavior in a rhythmic cycle
 influenced by environmental factors (temp, day
light, availability of food)
Communication Behaviors
1. pheromones (specific chemicals)
2. auditory communication
language: form of auditory communication in which
animals use vocal organs to produce groups of
sounds with shared meanings
Courting Behavior
 an attempt to attract a mate – males with the
desired trait have a competitive advantage at
producing offspring
Nurturing Behaviors
 parents providing care to their offspring in the
early stages life – providing food, protection, and
skills needed for survival
Cooperative Behaviors
 exist in groups of the same species of animal –
cooperative behaviors benefit the whole group
altruistic behavior: an animal that performs an
action that benefits another individual at a cost to
itself