Animal Adaptations (31.1 & 31.2) State Standard 4F. Relate animal adaptations, including behaviors, to the ability to survive stressful environmental conditions. Chapter 31 Animal Behavior BEHAVIOR Behavior is anything an animal does in response to a stimulus. A stimulus can be external or internal. Behavior results from the interaction of genetically based behaviors and behaviors based on experience. Chapter 31 Animal Behavior INNATE BEHAVIOR AKA Inherited Behavior Genetically Based Behavior commonly observed among a large number of individuals within a population, even if the environments are different. Includes automatic responses as well as instinctive behaviors Chapter 31 Animal Behavior INNATE BEHAVIOR - Automatic A reflex is a simple, automatic response that requires no thinking. A human baby demonstrating the Moro Reflex Chapter 31 Animal Behavior INNATE BEHAVIOR - Instinctive More complex than reflex but still does not have to be learned. A peacock fanning his feathers to attract a mate Chapter 31 Animal Behavior INNATE BEHAVIOR - Territorial Attempt to adopt & control a physical area against others of the same species. Territories are usually defended by males in order to increase their chance of obtaining adequate food, mates, & places to rear their offspring. Reduces conflict, controls population, & decreases competition. Animals sometimes use aggression, verbal, & chemical signals to defend territory. Chapter 31 Animal Behavior INNATE BEHAVIOR - Migratory Seasonal movement of a species. Animals that engage in migratory behaviors increase their chances of survival by searching out new food sources. Chapter 31 Animal Behavior INNATE BEHAVIOR - Foraging Foraging successfully means obtaining needed nutrients, while avoiding predators and poisonous foods. Natural selection favors individuals whose foraging behaviors use the least amount of energy to obtain the maximum amount of energy possible. Chapter 31 Animal Behavior INNATE BEHAVIOR - Hibernation Physiological changes during winter to reduce the need for energy. Body temp. drops. Oxygen consumption decreases. Breathing rate decreases. A hibernating dormouse Chapter 31 Animal Behavior INNATE BEHAVIOR - Estivation Reduced metabolism rate due to extreme heat, long periods of drought, or lack of food. During estivation, an earthworm rolls itself into a ball. Chapter 31 Animal Behavior INNATE BEHAVIOR - Nurturing When parents provide care to their offspring in the early stages of development, they are engaging in nurturing behaviors. This includes providing food, protection, and skills needed for survival. Animal species that spend time nurturing young often produce fewer offspring than animals that do not nurture. Chapter 31 Animal Behavior LEARNED BEHAVIOR Learned behaviors result from an interaction between innate behaviors and past experiences within a particular environment. Chapter 31 Animal Behavior LEARNED BEHAVIOR - Habituation Sometimes, animals learn over time that a potentially important stimulus deserves little or no attention. Habituation is the decrease in an animal’s response after repeatedly being exposed to a stimulus that has no positive or negative effects. Chapter 31 Animal Behavior LEARNED BEHAVIOR - Imprinting Can only occur w/in a specific time period in the animal’s life & is permanent. Some animals form a social attachment to the first object they see after birth. Other animals imprint on the chemical composition of the water in which they are hatched. Chapter 31 ADAPTATIONS FOR DEFENSE - Mechanical incorporated into the physical structure of the organism. Ex: claws, sharp teeth, stingers, protective or warning coloring A poisonous frog Chapter 31 ADAPTATIONS FOR DEFENSE - Chemical Mainly for avoiding predators. Neurotoxins, venoms, & poisons The Indian Red Scorpion is rated the most lethal in the world.