Middle School Life Science: Animal Behavior - Types of Animal Behavior — Flashcards

Animal Behaviour is the scientific study of the of the interaction of animals with each other, with other living beings, and with the environment.
Some of the most important behaviors in animals involve reproduction. They include behaviors to attract mates and behaviors for taking care of the young. Mating is the pairing of an adult male and an adult female animal for the purpose of reproduction. In many animal species, females choose the males they will mate with. For their part, males try to show females that they would be better mates than other males. To be chosen as mates, males may perform courtship behaviors. These are special behaviors that help attract a mate. Male courtship behaviors are meant to get the attention of females and show off the male's traits. Different species of animals have different courtship behaviors. In most species of birds and mammals, one or both parents care for the young. This may include building a nest or other shelter. It may also include feeding the young and protecting them from predators. Caring for the young increases their chances of surviving. This, in turn, increases the parents' fitness, so such behaviors evolve by natural selection. Emperor penguins make great sacrifices to take care of their young. After laying an egg, a penguin mother returns to the sea for two months to feed. Her mate stays behind to keep the egg warm. He balances the egg on top of his feet to keep it warm for the entire time the mother is away. During this time, he goes without food. To survive the cold, he huddles together with other males. If the chick hatches before the mother returns, the father feeds it with a high-protein, high-fat substance he produces just for this purpose.