Ethology (Animal behavior)

Ethology (Animal Behaviour)

Ethology is the scientific study of animal behaviour, incorporating aspects of biology and psychology.

Innate behaviour is present from birth and is not learned. It is instinctual and seen across a species irrespective of environmental differences.
Learned behaviour is developed through experiences and interactions with the environment. Examples include problem-solving, training, and use of tools.

Animals exhibit different behavioural patterns including foraging behaviour (food search and consumption), migration (seasonal movement, often for breeding purposes), and reproductive behaviour (courtship, mating, nurturing).
Territorial behaviour refers to actions that defend a space from other members of the same species to secure resources, mating rights, or increase survival of offspring.
Animals also display social behaviour, which involves communication and interaction within the same species.

Animals use various modalities of communication such as visual signals (body movements, colours), auditory signals (vocal sounds), chemical signals (pheromones), tactile signals (touch), and electrical signals (in aquatic creatures).

Behaviour can be influenced by a number of factors, including the environment, age, physical condition, gender, and time of day.
External stimuli such as light, sound, temperature, and pressures can trigger different behavioural patterns in animals.
Behaviour is also influenced by an animal’s internal state, including hunger and thirst, hormonal cycles, and emotional stress.

The study of animal behaviour provides valuable insights into animal welfare and plays a major role in effective animal management and care.
Understanding animal behaviour helps in the reaction and prevention of problematic behaviours such as aggression, phobias, and separation anxiety, thus improving an animal’s quality of life.
Behavioural knowledge aids in the design of effective training programs, enrichment programs, and animal housing, ensuring that animals’ physical, social, and mental needs are met.