Behavioral Adaptations allow animals to respond to life

Behavioral Adaptations • allow animals to respond to life needs. • Behavior of animal that helps it survive in the unique conditions of its environment.

We can divide Behavioral Adaptations into two groups: Instinctive Learned These behaviors happen naturally & don’t have to be learned. These behaviors must be taught.

Examples of Behavioral Adaptations: 1. Migration 2. Hibernation 3. Methods of gathering 4. Finding Shelter 5. Defending Oneself 6. Raising Young

Migration What is Migration? When animals move from one place to another Is Migration Instinctive or Learned? Almost all migration is instinctive Exceptions- Swans & whooping cranes

Migration Why do animals migrate? 1. 2. 3. 4. Avoid local shortages of food, shelter and water Cold Climates (Seeking warmer climates) Overpopulation Reproduce **Staying safe • Deep snow may make animals easier to catch by predators • Keep young safe

Types of Migration: 1. Latitudinal Migration: Movement of animals North and South Causes a change in climate Winters are colder as you move North and warmer as you move south. Ex. Geese

Migration Pattern of Canadian Geese

Types of Migration 2. Altitudinal Migration: Movement of animals up and down major land features such as mountains. Higher elevations during the summer Food more plentiful Lower elevations during winter Because too cold at higher elevations

Example of Altitudinal Migration: Alpine Chough: Bird in the Alps of Austria Stay in the mountains when its warm and move down into the cities when winter comes

Types of Migration 3. Reproductive Migration: Movement of animals to bear young The area may be safer for the young because of fewer predators In other cases, the area is safer because the animal requires a different type of habitat when it is young than when it is older.

Example of Reproductive Migration: Salmon start their lives in freshwater streams, move to the open ocean for their adult lives, then return to their home stream to lay eggs.

Types of Migration 4. Nomadic Migration: Irregular movement patterns The animals follow no regular route and do not return to any one place Wandering Usually seen in large grazing animals that live in herds on the plains of eastern Africa Usually move in response to varying local conditions of food and climate Ex. Chimpanzees, Gorillas

Types of Migration 5. Removal Migration: or one-way migration to new sites Migration of animals that don’t come back Why? Ø Resources such as food, water, or shelter are no longer available to animals where they live

Example of Removal Migration Migratory Locusts of Asia and Africa Migrate when populations peak and food becomes scarce They move to new areas, almost blackening the sky as they pass overhead

A swarm of locusts in Africa. Run for it! Photo source unknown

Types of Migration 6. Irruptive Migration: Specific migratory cycle occurring in extreme climates Migrations are NOT seasonally or geographically predictable May occur 1 yr. , but not again for many yrs. Ex. Lemmings of the arctic tundra

Types of Migration 7. Complete Migration: When virtually all members of the species leave their breeding range during non-breeding season. Travel incredible distances, sometimes more than 15, 000 miles per year. Many North American Birds

Example of Complete Migration Ex. Swainson’s hawks The Swainson’s hawk is one of the largest hawks in North America. Swainson’s hawks eat insects and small rodents.

The Swainson’s hawk’s migration Did you know… The Swainson’s hawk migrates from North America to South America? Some hawks fly up to 15, 000 miles on their migrations!

How far was that again? From here To there Wow! What a journey!

Types of Migration 8. Partial Migration: Some, but not all, members of a species move away from their breeding grounds during their non-breeding season. Examples: Red tailed Hawk and Golden Eagle

Adaptations for Migration 1. Wings: • • Longer More Pointed 2. Muscles • • • Larger Composed of more muscle fibers Are more richly supplied with nutrient and oxygen- containing blood vessels and energy creating mitochondria.

Adaptations for Migration: 3. Blood Increase number of red blood cells, so there is an increase in oxygen at high altitudes 2 forms of hemoglobin: they differ in their oxygen carrying and releasing capacity. 4. Fat Storage: Fat is lighter than carbohydrates and protein Fat stores more energy Begins 2 -3 weeks prior to migration

Navigating During Migration: How do animals know how to get where they’re going? Animals use a variety of Senses: 1. Sun • Follow the sun across the sky • Ex. Starlings 2. Stars • Helps animals find North and patterns • Ex. Mallard Ducks 3. Geometric field Orientation • Ability to sense the direction & strength of earths magnetic field 4. Sight / Smell (Mental maps) • Become familiar with an area • Ex. Dolphins & Salmon

Hibernation What is Hibernation? State of inactivity and metabolic depression in animals Why Hibernate? Escape the cold Food availability Is Hibernation Instinctive or Learned? Hibernation is instinctive

How do Animals get Ready for Hibernation? 1. Decreases body temperature Almost matches outside 2. Slows breathing rate 3. Lowers metabolic activity 4. Eat Large Amounts of food during the fall and summer 5. Stores excess food as fat 6. Use body fat they have stored very slowly throughout hibernation ***STATE OF TORPOR

1. Chipmunk Examples of Hibernating Animals 2. Fat-Tailed Lemur 2. 3. 4. 5. Fat-Tailed Lemur Hedgehog Bats Dormouse

Methods of gathering Animals have 3 different ways of gathering nutrients: 1. Herbivory 2. Carnivory 3. Omnivory

Methods of Gathering Nutrients Herbivory: Plant feeding animals Grazers Feed on leafy materials, seeds, stems, trunks, sap suckers, piercing sucking, insects, nectar feeders

Examples of Herbivory: 1. Grazers: Have a high cellulose diet Large flat teeth Have a diet rich in carbon, low in protein Have a symbiotic relationship with bacteria or protozoa to help digest cellulose Ruminants: cows, cattle, deer have a 4 -compartment stomach especially designed for this type of digestion

Examples of Herbivory: 2. Nectar feeders long bills or proboscis for reaching into flowers. Ex. Hummingbird

Examples of Herbivory: 3. Sap feeding insects – piercing – sucking mouth parts (plant mosquitoes)

Examples of Carnivory: Carnivory No cellulose problems High protein diets Major problem is obtaining sufficient amounts of food. Short intestines, simple stomachs

Carnivory Behavioral Adaptations Ability to hunt Mammals – sharp teeth or varied types cutters, tearing teeth, grinding -masticating teeth Birds – gizzard – helps grind food, screens bones, feathers, hair

Examples of Omnivory: Omnivory Animals that feed on both plants and animals Well balanced diets Diets vary with season, life stages, animals size, food availability.