(12) Animal Behavior: Defense and Attack/Avoidance Behavior - Exam 1

define fear

feeling that occurs when there is the perception of actual danger or a high risk of danger

define anxiety

feeling resulting from the anticipation of a
specific or general perceived danger or aversive event

2 types of defense

• primary

• secondary

primary defense

operates whether or not there is a predator in the vicinity

primary defense mechanisms

• hiding holes (rabbits, foxes)

• crypsis

• mimicry of inedible objects (caterpillars)

• warning behaviors (skunk colors)

• mimicry of individuals that warn of danger to predators

• nocturnal activities

• maintaining vigilance to maximize detection of predator

define crypsis

ability to remain undetected by blending into surroundings

ex: camoflauge

secondary defense? examples?

operate during an encounter with a predator

• When a predator is detected

• When the prey perceives it has been detected

• When an actual attack occurs

secondary defense mechanisms

• exaggerated primary defense (caterpillar remaining motionless)

• withdrawal to a safe retreat (armadillo balling up)

• flight & evasion (hare jinking + run away)

• use of display that deters attack (lizard fanning)

• feigning death (opossums, chickens)

• retaliation (bitting, chemical secretions)

when is flight response stronger

• with more adverse stimulis

• respond quicker, have greater flight distance, take longer to recover

do only prey species experience fear?

no (ex: dogs scared of thunder)

why are dogs afraid of thunder?

• sudden loud noises

• potentially fluctuations in electricity/barometric pressure

ways to address fear of thunder storms

• distraction (counter conditioning) (toys)

• safe space

• thundershirts

• medication (anti-anxiety)

what do thundershirts do?

• similar to swaddling infant

• compression releases oxytocin

when does thunder preparation need to be done?

most need to be done before the storm

defien aggression

An act or threat of action, directed by one individual towards another, with the intention of disadvantaging that individual by actually or potentially causing injury, pain, or fear

categories of aggression

• social/dominance related

• territorial

• pain induced

• fear induced

• maternal

• predatory

when does social/dominance related aggression occur? when is it most common? how long does it last?

• occurs when animals live in groups & establishing dominance hierarchy

• most common when new groups of animals mixed for first time

• can last several days

what is ritualized aggression

Once dominance hierarchy has been established, indirect threats will suffice (not actually acting on aggression)

when is social/dominance related aggression also seen?

when fighting over a particular resource

territorial aggression

keeping others out of a geographical area

describe pain-induced aggression. goal?

• directly related to pain or fear of pain

• defensive reaction

• goal: reduce pain by eliminating the source/perceived source

what can fear-induced aggression be related to? what might it also be?

• positively or negatively related to pain

• may also be neophobia - fear of new things

physical signs of fear-induced aggression

• whale eye

• crouching

• spitting

• dialated pupils

maternal aggression

directly related to protection of the young

predatory aggression

• generally directed towards another species

• underlying purpose of behavior: obtain food

• not always driven by hunger, may be self-fulfilling

genetic factors relating to aggression

environmental control of aggression

• enclosure size + unpredictable feeding times impact aggression

• hunger & feeling crowded/backed into corner can trigger aggressive behavior

what are main hormones that play role in aggression?

testicular hormones (androgens)

male or female more aggressive

male

what establishes greater potential for aggression?

androgens during development

what can increase probability of aggression in adults?

exposure to testicular hormones in adulthood

what types of aggression do hormones affect?

• territorial

• sexual

• social

• dominance