Instinct Vs Learned Behavior

Animal behavior

instinctive and learned

Section I

objective:

I will be able to differentiate between instinctive and learned animal behaviors that relate to survival

Key Terms

Instinct Behaviors

Learned Behaviors

Are innate behaviors that an animal is born with. They are behaviors that are programmed into the species' DNA.

Are behaviors gained through observation & experience. These behaviors are not present at birth.

Section II

What is taking place in the image to the right?

This images depicts Canadian geese flying south for the winter. These geese will travel up to 3,ooo miles, to escape the harsh northern winters. Geese maneuver these great distance with instinct alone and with no help from a GPS or phones.

What is an instinct?

An instinct is defined as an animals ability to perform a behavior for the first time it is exposed to the proper stimuli. Each animal is born with different inherited instinct traits that are passed down through their genetic DNA and are crucial for their survival. These behaviors are known from birth. They are not observed or learned but information programmed in their DNA.

Instinct a deeper dive

An instinct is known from birth which is not learned or observed. Even baby animals away from their parents will develop these skills. A prime example are sea turtles, who when hatched under the sand on the beach instinctively go toward the water. Instincts are the reason for so many animal actions such as;

• Geese know where to fly south and back north for nesting.
• Whales know when to migrate for mating season.
• Bears prepping for hibernation.
• Birds building nests

Watch more here

Section III

Learned behaviors

Learned Behaviors

Is a behavior that an animal discovers through trial and error or observation of elder species.

Consider a baby lion cub learning to hunt & stalk pray by watching and learning from their mothers. Baby Ducks learning how to avoid danger and what is safe to eat.

Instinct or Learned?

Baby Sea turtle making their way to the ocean?

Instinct or Learned?

Baby Geese following their parent for food?