Natural and atypical behaviour

• What are examples of animal behaviour patterns?

  • Foraging
  • Hunting
  • Singing
  • Social behaviour
  • Grooming
  • Courtship
  • Territorial
  • Hyperactivity
  • Excessive inactivity
  • Displacement behaviour
  • Stereotypic behaviours
• Do domesticated animals lose their wild instincts?

  No, they retain instincts from ancestors
• What is foraging?

  Finding food in the wild
• What behaviours are associated with foraging?

  • Sniffing for food
  • Eating leftovers
  • Consuming wild food
  • Eating faeces for nutrition
  • Hoarding food
  • Territorial behaviour for food
• What strategies do carnivores and omnivores use for hunting?

  Roaming, waiting, or combining both
• What hunting behaviours do dogs exhibit?


  • Chasing other animals
  • Shaking toys to simulate killing
  • Herding behaviour
  • Sniffer dogs tracking prey
  • Stalking and killing small animals
  • Play-fighting to simulate subduing prey
• How long do dogs typically sleep each day?

  Around 12 hours
• What is the actual activity pattern of many rodents and rabbits?

  They are crepuscular, active at dawn and dusk
• How long can cats sleep each day?

  12-16 hours
• How do birds sleep differently from other animals?

  They can sleep with one brain hemisphere
• What is social behaviour in animals?

  • Interactions among animals
  • Can be for food, shelter, or mates
  • Varies by species and individual
  • Includes social units like packs or pairs
• Why do feral cats form social groups?

  For sharing food and safety in numbers
• How do domestic cats behave in social groups?

  They groom and sleep together
• How do dogs differ in social behaviour with familiar versus strange dogs?

  They behave cautiously with strange dogs
• What are typical social behaviours of dogs?

  • Barking to warn of danger
  • Play-fighting with others
  • Smelling each other
  • Sleeping together
  • Greeting family members
• What are the purposes of grooming in animals?

  • Keeping clean
  • Building social bonds
  • Reducing stress
  • Regulating body temperature
• How do animals typically groom themselves?

  Using tongue, mouth, beaks, and paws
• What is oestrous in female mammals?

  The reproductive cycle when they are fertile
• What are signs of heat in female mammals?

  • Swollen, reddened vulva
  • Mucous discharge
• What are species-specific courtship behaviours in dogs?

  • Mounting and thrusting by males
  • Females backing into males
  • Females flagging their tail
  • Males following females aggressively
• How does grooming help cats besides cleaning?

  It regulates body temperature and promotes circulation
• What is an oestrous cycle?

  Female reproductive cycle when fertile
• When does courtship occur in female mammals?

  Only when they are on heat
• What signals that a female mammal is sexually receptive?

  Secretion of pheromones and specific behaviors
• What are the courtship behaviors of cats?

  • Males and females call to find mates
  • Males spray urine to attract females
  • Males and females touch and lick each other
• What are the courtship behaviors of cows?

  • Raised, twitching tail with arched back
  • Seeks bulls through bellowing
  • Cows may attempt to mount others
• How do rabbits differ in their reproductive cycle?

  They ovulate after mating
• Why do animals establish territory?

  To guarantee access to resources
• How do animals mark their territory?

  Using urine and other scents
• What does urine marking communicate to other animals?

  That the area is occupied
• How do cats use scents to avoid confrontations?

  By establishing how long since another cat was present
• What physical signs might animals leave to mark territory?

  Bite or claw marks
• How do dogs display territorial behavior?

  By growling or barking at strangers
• What are common symptoms of hyperactivity in animals?

  • Chasing own tail
  • Constant movement
  • Short attention span
  • Impulsive and easily distracted
  • Destructive behavior
• What environmental factors can exacerbate hyperactivity in animals?

  Chaotic surroundings and lack of routine
• How can small children affect young animals' behavior?

  They can excite young animals
• What role does exercise play in preventing hyperactivity in dogs?

  It provides structure and burns energy
• How can diet influence hyperactivity in animals?

  A poor diet can lead to hyperactivity
• What genetic factors can influence hyperactivity in animals?

  Some animals are more prone to it
• What medical issues can lead to hyperactivity in animals?

  A malfunctioning thyroid can cause it