Animal Behaviour 2721 Unit 1 .

What is animal behaviour?

Animal behaviour is the scientific study of everything animals do

what fields of biology are included in animal behaviour

genetics, physiology, development, ecology, systematics & evolution

how long have animals been studying each others behaviour

pre-dating human existence, all animals exploit the behaviour of other animals

what physical component of life precipitated an interest in behaviour among hominid ancestors and why

survival and fitness benefits because these are important when trying to hunt the animals

• rodents escape towards the dark

• birds escape towards the light

• salmon won’t respond to bait when spawning

domestication

where members of one species assume control of the feeding, breeding and general care of another species

do only humans domesticate other animals

no, there are other animals that do this, such as ants who raise anphids and take control over them

Why study behaviour?

1. fitness value of exploiting other species

2. coping with the natural environment (avoiding predation, pest control)

3. conservation and animal welfare

4. curiosity about the natural world

what is the fitness value of exploiting other species

a. obtaining food

b. efficiently exploiting labour

c. insight via research

how did the ancient egyptians document animal behaviour

they carved pictures of the animals showing things

who discovered the ancient egyptians recordings of