Development of

Behavior in Animals
A N JA L I C

A S S T. P R O F E S S O R O N C O N T R A C T

D E PA R T M E N T O F Z O O LO G Y

V I M A L A C O L L E G E , TCR
• Behavior in animals can be defined as any observable action or response to external or
internal stimuli. These behaviors are essential for survival, helping animals interact with
their environment, secure food, avoid predators, and reproduce.
• The development of behavior in animals encompasses both innate (instinctive) and
learned components. While some behaviors are encoded in an animal's genes, others are
acquired through experience and learning.
• The interplay between genetic predispositions and environmental influences shapes the
vast range of behaviors observed in animals.
• The development of behavior in animals can be explored through different aspects:
genetics, environment, learning, and social interactions. In this essay, we will dive deep
into these concepts, illustrating them with examples from the animal kingdom.

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

 Development of Behavior in Animals

Genetic Environment Learning Social Learning Development Cognitive

Basis of al Influence and and of Social Abilities and
Behavior on Behavior Behavior Communication Behaviors Problem Solving

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

1. Genetic Basis of Behavior
Many behaviors are innate, meaning they are hardwired into the animal's genetic makeup. These behaviors
are often essential for survival and reproduction and are exhibited without prior learning or experience.
Innate behaviors are generally fixed and follow predictable patterns, known as fixed action patterns (FAPs).
Example: The Egg-Rolling Behavior of Geese

• A classic example of a fixed action pattern is the egg-rolling behavior of the graylag goose (Anser anser).
When a goose notices an egg outside its nest, it automatically stretches its neck and uses its beak to roll
the egg back into the nest. Even if the egg is removed while the goose is rolling it, the bird continues the
motion until it reaches the nest. This behavior, triggered by a visual stimulus (the egg), is innate and
genetically programmed.
• Another genetically controlled behavior is migration. Many bird species, such as the Arctic tern (Sterna
paradisaea), migrate thousands of kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds. Even young
birds, when raised in isolation, demonstrate the instinct to migrate, guided by their internal biological
clocks and environmental cues such as the Earth's magnetic field.

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024
2. Environmental Influence on Behavior
While many behaviors have a genetic basis, the environment plays a crucial role in shaping, modifying, or
enhancing these behaviors. Animals are constantly responding to changes in their environment, and behaviors
that are initially innate can be adjusted based on experience. The interaction between genes and environment
forms the foundation of behavioral plasticity, allowing animals to adapt to changing conditions.
Example: Imprinting in Birds
Imprinting is a type of learning that occurs at a specific critical period early in life, where an animal forms an
attachment or learns to recognize another object, often a parent. This behavior is both genetically predisposed
and influenced by the environment.
A well-known example is seen in the behavior of newly hatched goslings (young geese). As studied by Konrad
Lorenz, if a gosling sees a moving object shortly after hatching, it will follow it as if it were its mother. In Lorenz’s
experiment, the goslings imprinted on him instead of their biological mother, following him wherever he went.
This shows that while the tendency to follow is innate, the object they follow is determined by environmental
factors (what the goslings first encounter).

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

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3. Learning and Behavior
Learning is a process through which animals acquire new behaviors or modify existing ones based on
experience. While innate behaviors are often rigid and predictable, learned behaviors are more
flexible and can adapt to an animal's circumstances. There are several types of learning, including
habituation, classical conditioning, operant conditioning, and insight learning.
Example: Classical Conditioning in Dogs
Classical conditioning is a form of associative learning where an animal learns to associate a neutral
stimulus with a significant one. The most famous example is Ivan Pavlov’s experiment with dogs.
Pavlov noticed that dogs would salivate when they saw food. He then introduced a neutral stimulus,
a bell, and rang it before presenting the food. After several repetitions, the dogs began to salivate
when they heard the bell, even if no food was presented. This association between the bell and food
demonstrates how animals can learn through experience.

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ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024
Example: Operant Conditioning in Rats

Operant conditioning involves learning through consequences, either rewards or punishments. B.F.
Skinner’s experiments with rats are a classic example. Skinner placed rats in a box (now known as a
"Skinner box") and trained them to press a lever by rewarding them with food. Over time, the rats learned
that pressing the lever resulted in a positive outcome (food), so they pressed it more frequently. This form
of learning demonstrates how animals modify their behavior based on the consequences of their actions.

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

4. Social Learning and Communication
Social animals often learn behaviors by observing and imitating others, a
process known as social learning. This type of learning is especially important
in species with complex social structures, such as primates, cetaceans
(whales and dolphins), and some bird species. Communication, a key aspect
of social behavior, allows animals to convey information to each other about
food, danger, or mating opportunities.
Example: Tool Use in Chimpanzees
Chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) exhibit remarkable examples of social
learning, particularly in their use of tools. In some chimpanzee communities,
individuals use sticks to extract termites from mounds or rocks to crack open
nuts. These behaviors are passed down from generation to generation
through observation and imitation. Young chimpanzees watch their mothers
and other group members using tools and eventually learn to replicate the
actions themselves. This shows that while the ability to use tools may be
genetically based, the specific techniques are learned socially.

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

Example: Honeybee Dance Language

• Honeybees (Apis mellifera) use a sophisticated form of

communication known as the "waggle dance" to inform
other members of the hive about the location of food
sources.
• When a foraging bee finds a rich source of nectar or
pollen, it returns to the hive and performs a dance that
conveys information about the direction and distance of
the food. The angle of the dance relative to the vertical
comb of the hive corresponds to the angle between the
sun and the food source, while the duration of the dance
indicates the distance.
• This behavior is an example of how animals use complex
communication to coordinate group activities.

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

 5. Development of Social Behaviors

Social behavior is crucial for species that live in groups, as it enhances

cooperation, division of labor, and survival. Social behaviors can range
from simple forms of cooperation to highly structured social systems
involving hierarchies and roles.
Example: Altruism in Meerkats
Meerkats (Suricata suricatta) are known for their cooperative behavior,
where individuals take turns acting as sentinels, standing on their hind
legs to watch for predators while the rest of the group forages. If a
predator is spotted, the sentinel will alert the group with a specific call,
allowing the others to escape. This behavior is an example of altruism,
where an individual risks its own safety for the benefit of others. Such
social behaviors are believed to evolve because they enhance the
survival and reproductive success of the group as a whole, often in
species where individuals are closely related.

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

Example: Social Hierarchies in Wolves

Wolves (Canis lupus) live in highly structured packs with a clear social hierarchy. Each pack is typically led
by an alpha pair (a dominant male and female), who are the only ones that usually breed. The rest of the
pack, including subordinate wolves, assist in hunting, rearing pups, and defending the territory. This
hierarchical social structure helps maintain order and ensures the efficient functioning of the pack.

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

6. Cognitive Abilities and Problem Solving
Cognition refers to the mental processes involved in acquiring knowledge and
understanding through thought, experience, and the senses. Many animals
demonstrate cognitive abilities, including memory, problem-solving, and tool use.
These abilities are particularly well-developed in species with large brains relative
to their body size, such as primates, corvids (crows and ravens), and dolphins.
Example: Problem-Solving in Crows
Crows (Corvus spp.) are renowned for their intelligence and problem-solving
abilities. In one experiment, New Caledonian crows were presented with a series
of tasks that required them to use tools to retrieve food. The crows demonstrated
the ability to use sticks to extract food from hard-to-reach places, and in some
cases, they even used multiple tools in sequence to achieve their goal. These
birds are also capable of understanding cause-and-effect relationships, planning,
and even using water displacement to retrieve food, similar to the legendary tale
of "The Crow and the Pitcher" from Aesop's Fables.

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

• The development of behavior in animals is a complex process influenced by a
combination of genetic, environmental, and social factors. While many behaviors
are innate and shaped by evolution, others are learned through experience and
observation.
• The ability to adapt and modify behavior in response to changing conditions is
crucial for survival in a dynamic and often unpredictable environment.
• From the instinctive migration of birds to the learned tool use of chimpanzees,
the diversity of animal behavior highlights the remarkable ways in which animals
interact with their world.
• Understanding the mechanisms behind the development of behavior provides
insight into the evolutionary pressures that shape animal life and allows us to
appreciate the complexity of the natural world.

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024

 THANK YOU

ANJALI C DEVELOPMENT OF BEHAVIOR 10/2/2024