Social Behaviour 3.6

Question 1

What is a social heirarchy

Answer 1

A rank order that animals that live in a social group use

Question 2

What are advantages of social heirarchy

Answer 2

Aggression is ritualised between members; real fighting id kept to a minimum; serious injury is normally avoided; energy is conserved; experienced leadership is guaranteed; the most powerful animals are most likely to pass their genes onto the next generation

Question 3

Wolves social heirarchy

Answer 3

Dominant male shows power by raising ears, baring of teeth, eyes widened, head raised. Submissive partner keeps all body parts lowered, covers teeth and half closes eyes

Question 4

What is a pecking order

Answer 4

Birds use it to establish a dominant member. Dominant member pecks all others and doesn’t get pecked back, second pecks everyone except dominant and so on through the line

Question 5

What is co-operative hunting

Answer 5

Animals which live in social groups work together to kill their prey.

Question 6

What are advantages of co-operative hunting

Answer 6

All members of the group receive food, mire food is gained than hunting alone, hunting success is greater, individual energy output is less

Question 7

What are advantages of staying in groups

Answer 7

Vulnerable are protected; many eyes, ears and noses to spot predators; predators may be less likely to attack a large group; movement in many directions will confuse a predator

Question 8

What is altruism

Answer 8

When an animal behaves in a way that disadvantages them whilst benefiting another animal

Question 9

What is reciprocal altruism

Answer 9

Idea that if the animal helps then the favour will be returned