Definition of Animal Behavior

Animal behavior studies attempt to explain why animals act the way they do. Depending on the type of animal, the behaviors can vary. But there are things that all animals do, no matter what species they are. Maybe you have seen your dog spin around in a full circle before he sits down. Or a cat who has to sharpen its claws on the living room furniture. These are examples of animal behavior. The different types of behavior are instinctive, learned and genetically based.

  1. Mating

    • Some animals share the same mating habits as humans, but some species of animals mate during a season or have to complete certain tasks to mate. Wolves, foxes and grizzly bears mate only once a year, while deer and horses mate several times. The male peacock displays his feathers to get the attention of females, and a female black widow spider bites the head off its male partner after mating. Some animals, like doves. mate with only one partner in a lifetime, and others mate with as many partners as they can.

    Communication

    • Communicating is different for every animal species and important for survival. Dogs bark to communicate and warn oncoming predators. Cats scratch on furniture as a way to mark territory. They also have sweat glands on their paws and leave a scent from scratching. Whales and dolphins use sounds to communicate over distances. They talk with their offspring and to their particular group. Fireflies look almost identical, so they must blink their lights in a specific order to identify themselves.

    Instinct

    • Instinctive behavior is a pattern of activity that a species takes part in. It is usually used for survival purposes. Birds migrate every year to a warmer climate. Dogs spin around in a circle before they sit down, to "pat down" the area where they will be laying.

    Learned

    • Animals are capable of learning new behaviors. Dogs can be trained to fetch, shake hands and bark. Dolphins are trained to swim with us and entertain us. A learned animal behavior can also be the result of a trial-and-error experience. For example, If a dog had a male owner who was very strict, it might fear males for the rest of its life.

    Environment

    • If an animal is raised in unstable conditions at the beginning of its life, its behaviors can become affected. It can develop fears or phobias that can change the way it would normally act. Even in situations where the animal is rescued and taken to a safe place, it can show signs of abuse or neglect for years to come. Environment can affect not only the animal's temperament or behavior, but its health can be affected too.