Question

Describe animal behaviour-
a) Instinct
b) Imprinting

Answer 1

Animal behaviour broadly includes all the possible ways in which animals interact with other organisms. They can be intraspecific, interspecific and interact with their environment. Instincts and imprinting are types of animal behaviours.

Complete answer:
a) Instinct behaviour- Instinct is an innate type of behaviour. Innate behaviour is controlled by genes, it occurs naturally in all members of a particular species. It needs a particular stimulus to trigger, it is only after this, the innate behaviour occurs. Innate behaviour is also known as instinctive behaviour. Instinct is an ability of animals to exhibit a particular behaviour against a given stimulus, the first time the animal is exposed to the stimulus. Or we can say that an instinctive behaviour comes inbuilt, there is no need of learning or practicing it. Such behaviours are rigid and predictable. It is performed by all members of the species, they always perform it in the same way, irrespective to the environment. Basic life functions, such as care for offspring, sexual behaviours for successful reproduction, etc. are examples of innate behaviour. If animals are unable to perform innate behaviours properly, the behaviour is unlikely to be passed onto their next generation.

b) Imprinting behaviour- Imprinting is a rapid and apparent psychological behaviour. It is any kind of phase or age sensitive learning, which does not depend on the consequences of behaviour. It describes the situations where an organism (animal) learns several characteristics. The character is followed by offspring and is therefore called imprinting. Imprinting is believed to have a critical period. Example- after hatching, ducklings usually tend to follow and feel emotionally connected to the first object in motion they come in contact with.

Note: Instinct behaviour is inherited in organisms, animals are born with instincts that help them to survive. Imprinting is a phenomenon exhibited by several species. It is not inherited, it is more of an acquired behaviour.