Week 9 Post 1

Animal Behavior: Dispersal and Migration

• Most animals are mobile
• Dispersal: 
• When animals move short or intermediate distances to a similar kind of habitat
• One-way
• Competition over food, space, or resources
• Usually younger animals => less competitive
• Natal dispersal
• Parents will kick out children due to competition
• Reduces inbreeding (adaptation)
• Migration: 
• When animals leave their habitat to move temporarily to a different habitat, and return at some later stage
• Billion migrate every year
• Evolves when habitat for feeding or breeding is better in one area during certain times
• Navigations:
• Uses star compass, earth's rotation
• Sun rising and setting
• Magnetic field
• Landmarks/smells
• Combination of genetic and environmental information, and experience