Behavior

Animal Behavior

An action, activity or process which can be observed and measured, initiated by external or internal stimuli.

Types of Behavior

Classified into simple behavior and complex behavior.

Simple Behavior

Nerve stimulus resulting in striated muscle contraction.

Complex Behavior

Includes mating rituals, migration, grooming, feeding, and aggression.

Investigative Behavior

Exploration of the environment to gain input about resources, security, risk assessment, and learning.

Ingestive Behavior

Physical process of eating, including feed sorting and actions like prehension, mastication, and rumination.

Competitive Behavior

Behavior aimed at procuring resources such as mates (fighting for females), food, and territory.

Allelomimetic Behavior

Behavior in which individuals mimic others, promoting group cohesion and safety.

Communication in Animals

Relaying messages between organisms through visual, auditory, olfactory, tactile, and electro means.

Giving + Soliciting Behavior

Behavior focused on establishment of social bonds and reciprocation of care.

Maternal + Neonatal Behavior

Mother-offspring interactions often influenced by endocrine hormones.

Reproductive Behavior

Activities directed towards perpetuation of a species, influenced by estrus and pheromones.

Resting + Sleeping Behavior

Characterized by reversible unconsciousness and reduced responsiveness to external stimuli.

Social Behavior - Type I

Social/herd bound behaviors that change often, benefiting group stability.

Social Behavior - Type II

Solitary/territorial behaviors with defense of territory allowing female access for reproduction.

Stereotypies

Repetitive behavioral actions without an obvious goal, often seen in captivity.

Behavioral Economics

The motivation that balances cost versus benefit in animal behavior.