To learn that animals are equally as social as humans is quite surprising. I had no idea that animals could be categorized and analyzed so similarly to us. I think it gives a lot of insight to how close we are to them, or how close they are to us; some of them able to communicate with us.
I wonder if there has been any advancements in trying to communicate with animals not able to learn things like sign language.
Saturday, April 15, 2017
Week 12 Post 2
Social Networks
Social networks are patterns of association between individuals that differ from random patterns. They have important consequences for the individual lives of the animals. Scientists use social network analysis to study social networks, the same way they study social media for humans. Social network analysis is an approach for studying the structuring of the social environment of animals and the consequences it has for individuals. In those analyses, individuals are considered nodes that can be connected and intertwined. Spatial associations are physical interactions in specific space. The scientists ask who initiates the most? his question helps determine the most social individuals. It can also be determined by documenting fights and other negative interactions. Associations can be categorized as aggressive, friendly, or neutral.
Social networks structures are very important as well. They can determine the spread of disease, as well as who would/has spread it the fastest. Individual factors can determine the structure; age, dominance, sex, and personality.
Humans are an extremely social species. The way we interact with others varies greatly on our personal traits as well as how/where we choose to interact; online, in person, at home, in public, etc.
Social networks are patterns of association between individuals that differ from random patterns. They have important consequences for the individual lives of the animals. Scientists use social network analysis to study social networks, the same way they study social media for humans. Social network analysis is an approach for studying the structuring of the social environment of animals and the consequences it has for individuals. In those analyses, individuals are considered nodes that can be connected and intertwined. Spatial associations are physical interactions in specific space. The scientists ask who initiates the most? his question helps determine the most social individuals. It can also be determined by documenting fights and other negative interactions. Associations can be categorized as aggressive, friendly, or neutral.
Social networks structures are very important as well. They can determine the spread of disease, as well as who would/has spread it the fastest. Individual factors can determine the structure; age, dominance, sex, and personality.
Humans are an extremely social species. The way we interact with others varies greatly on our personal traits as well as how/where we choose to interact; online, in person, at home, in public, etc.
Week 12 Post 1
Animal Behavior: Social Networks
- Social networks
- Patterns of association between individuals that differ from random patterns
- They have important consequences
- Scientists use social network analysis
- Approach for studying the structuring of the social environment of animals and the consequences it has for individuals
- Individuals = nodes that can be connected
- Spatial associations
- Who initiates the most?
- Can be determined by documenting fights
- Associations can be categorized
- Aggressive
- Friendly
- Neutral
- Social networks structures
- Can determine the spread of disease
- Individual factors
- Age
- Dominance
- Sex
- Personality
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Week 11 Post 3
I was very surprised to learn that males will actually discard offspring that he even slightly doubts is his. But I guess that is evident in human society as well. If a man believes his woman partner has "cheated" on him and the child is not his, he will demand a paternity test and may actually leave the life of the child. Obviously, the animal kingdom does not have paternity tests.
How accurate are males in recognizing when offspring is not his? And females, on parasitic eggs?
How accurate are males in recognizing when offspring is not his? And females, on parasitic eggs?
Week 11 Post 2
Parental Care
Humans require a lot of intensive care as babies. We are born fragile, unable to move, unable to eat on our own, and unintelligent. On the other hand, some animals don't need any care as juveniles at all. Some other species are in between, needing help at some point, none at another.
Parental care: is any activity performed by a parent that enhances the survival of its offspring. Different species give different kinds and amounts of care. Examples of parental care include incubating eggs, feeding, protection from predators, and transporting offspring from place to place
Parents can teach offspring skills like foraging.
Animals can follow two strategies when it comes to parental care and reproduction. Some species produce large numbers of offspring that they don't care for to offset the number that will die; a larger number of offspring but a higher death rate. Some species will care for the offspring for months or years after birth/hatching but will have a smaller number of offspring. Some species will not care for the offspring but will protect them from predators before they are born/hatched (in between).
Not all animals have the energy to produce a lot of offspring and care for them, that is why they do not all care for their young although it would result in a lower death rate. Use of either strategy depends on the environment as well; food availability and predators.
A certain hormone actually increases care behavior in birds and mammals; prolactin.
Individuals may collaborate on care or go solo when it comes to the care of offspring. Males are less willing to help if the female mated with other males because the odds that the offspring is his is lessened.
Humans require a lot of parental care, and it can be compared to the care of many animals, like elephants. They have a long gestation period and care for their young for a long time after birth, keeping them as members of the "family".
Humans require a lot of intensive care as babies. We are born fragile, unable to move, unable to eat on our own, and unintelligent. On the other hand, some animals don't need any care as juveniles at all. Some other species are in between, needing help at some point, none at another.
Parental care: is any activity performed by a parent that enhances the survival of its offspring. Different species give different kinds and amounts of care. Examples of parental care include incubating eggs, feeding, protection from predators, and transporting offspring from place to place
Parents can teach offspring skills like foraging.
Animals can follow two strategies when it comes to parental care and reproduction. Some species produce large numbers of offspring that they don't care for to offset the number that will die; a larger number of offspring but a higher death rate. Some species will care for the offspring for months or years after birth/hatching but will have a smaller number of offspring. Some species will not care for the offspring but will protect them from predators before they are born/hatched (in between).
Not all animals have the energy to produce a lot of offspring and care for them, that is why they do not all care for their young although it would result in a lower death rate. Use of either strategy depends on the environment as well; food availability and predators.
A certain hormone actually increases care behavior in birds and mammals; prolactin.
Individuals may collaborate on care or go solo when it comes to the care of offspring. Males are less willing to help if the female mated with other males because the odds that the offspring is his is lessened.
Humans require a lot of parental care, and it can be compared to the care of many animals, like elephants. They have a long gestation period and care for their young for a long time after birth, keeping them as members of the "family".
Week 11 Post 1
Animal Behavior: Parental Care
- Humans require care as babies, while some animals don't need any at all
- Other species are in between
- Parental care:
- Any activity by a parent that enhances the survival of its offspring
- Different species give different kinds and amounts of care
- Examples: incubating eggs, feeding, protection from predators, and transporting offspring from place to place
- Parents can teach offspring skills
- Some species produce large numbers of offspring that they don't care for to offset the number that will die
- Some species will not care for the offspring but will protect them from predators before they are born/hatched
- Some species will care for the offspring for months or years
- Not all animals have the energy to produce a lot of offspring and care for them
- Use of either strategy depends on the environment
- Food availability
- Predators
- Hormones
- Prolactin:
- Increases care behavior in birds and mammals
- Individuals may collaborate on care or go solo
- Males are less willing to help if the female mated with other males
Saturday, April 1, 2017
Week 10 Post 3
It is interesting to see how mating shifts from insects to birds to mammals, then to specifically humans. The differences are so drastic but make sense. Animals have no need for pleasure or even a want. They all have one goal; to reproduce and survive.
I wonder if humans have any natural instincts like that left?
I wonder if humans have any natural instincts like that left?
Week 10 Post 2
Mate Choice
Mate choice is very important in terms of breeding and furthering a species's population. Many species mate with one partner for life, so choosing the right mate becomes even more crucial. Mates determine the success of the offspring and the number of offspring. Females are usually choosier in their mate than males are. When choosing a mate, females will consider their direct benefits and indirect benefits. Direct benefits a female may gain from a male is an increased survival. The male may bring her food as well as provide a proper breeding location. A good male can also provide safety meaning a greater number of offspring. Indirect benefits a female may receive is better male genetics and her offspring may have a better immune system, thus healthier offspring. He may also prove more compatible genes, like a more built frame, darker coloration, etc. Some females will fall victim to sensory biases. If for example, a lizard likes the light brown color of insects, it may accidentally prefer a lightly colored male, although it may not be beneficial in any way. So, the female ends up preferring males based off of other cues not related to mating. Males can cause costs of mating/ not mating. If there are too many males or not enough males, issues can arise.
In conclusion, animals must balance direct benefits, indirect benefits, and potential costs when choosing mates.
Mate choice is very important in terms of breeding and furthering a species's population. Many species mate with one partner for life, so choosing the right mate becomes even more crucial. Mates determine the success of the offspring and the number of offspring. Females are usually choosier in their mate than males are. When choosing a mate, females will consider their direct benefits and indirect benefits. Direct benefits a female may gain from a male is an increased survival. The male may bring her food as well as provide a proper breeding location. A good male can also provide safety meaning a greater number of offspring. Indirect benefits a female may receive is better male genetics and her offspring may have a better immune system, thus healthier offspring. He may also prove more compatible genes, like a more built frame, darker coloration, etc. Some females will fall victim to sensory biases. If for example, a lizard likes the light brown color of insects, it may accidentally prefer a lightly colored male, although it may not be beneficial in any way. So, the female ends up preferring males based off of other cues not related to mating. Males can cause costs of mating/ not mating. If there are too many males or not enough males, issues can arise.
In conclusion, animals must balance direct benefits, indirect benefits, and potential costs when choosing mates.
Humans consider mate choice every day. But because we "mate" for pleasure more often than reproduction, our mate choice usually has nothing to do with offspring and more with personal preference. Although, it is said females can sense hormones in males that say he will make a good candidate for children.
Week 10 Post 1
Animal Behavior: Mate Choice
- Mate choice is very important
- Many species mate with one partner for life
- Mates determine the success of the offspring
- Females are usually choosier in their mate
- Direct benefits:
- Increased survival of the female
- Male brings food
- Breeding location
- Greater number of offspring
- Indirect benefits:
- Better male genetics
- Better immune system
- Healthier offspring
- More compatible genes
- Sensory biases
- Prefers males based off of other cues not related to mating
- Males can cause costs of mating/ not mating
- Animals must balance direct benefits, indirect benefits, and potential costs when choosing mates
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