Animal Behavior

Animal Behavior

A guide to the hows and whys of animals interacting with each other and with the world around them.

A Free Online Textbook


 * Contributors
 * Notes to Contributors
 * Textbook cover

This textbook explores the mechanisms and evolution of animal behavior, including neural, hormonal, and genetic substrates of behavior; foraging; anti-predator defenses; mating systems and sexual selection; social behavior; communication; parental care; kin selection and recognition; and territoriality. Associated laboratory exercises will provide hands-on experience for many of these concepts.

Chapter 1. History, Aims and Approaches

 * Definition of Animal Behavior
 * Aims of Animal Behavior
 * History of Animal Behavior
 * Scientific Method in Animal Behavior

Chapter 2. Development, Learning and Genetics

 * /Nature v Nurture/
 * Development/Maturation
 * Human Cognitive Development
 * Learning and Memory
 * Behavioral Genetics

Chapter 3. Proximate Mechanisms of Behavior

 * Neuroscience
 * Sensory Biology
 * Neural Orchestration of Motor Responses
 * Behavioral Endocrinology
 * Biological Rhythms

Chapter 4. Functional Significance of Behavior

 * Evolution
 * Mating Systems
 * Population Genetics
 * Modeling Behavior
 * Altruism and Sociality
 * Coevolution

Chapter 5. Phylogeny, and Behavior

 * Darwin's Finches

Chapter 6. Behavior Case Studies

 * Communication Systems
 * Bird Song
 * Human Language
 * The Parallels between Bird Song and Human Language Learning


 * Spatial Distributions
 * Habitat Use
 * Orienting, Navigation, Migration
 * Territoriality


 * Mating Systems
 * Brood Parastism


 * other
 * Army Ants
 * Honeybee Foraging Behavior
 * Penguins
 * Penguin Loving
 * Sea Turtles
 * Sea Turtle Nesting Behavior

Chapter 7. Comparative Human Behavior

 * Human Evolution

Comportament animal