Biology Stack Exchange
Biology Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [behaviour]

The set of actions performed by an organism within a given environment

261 questions
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Why is yawning contagious?

Why does yawning seems to be contagious? Is this similar to laughter being contagious or does it has a different reason?
user1897
5
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1 answer

How is instinct carried from one generation to another?

How can non-structural information, specifically instinct (a fixed pattern of behavior that an organism reverts to as a response to certain stimuli), be passed on from generation to generation (such as an unborn baby's instinct to begin inhaling and…
CDB
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Is there any evidence of animals wanting to die?

Is there any evidence of animals wanting to die? Specifically, animal communication which says "come and eat me".
user15379
3
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1 answer

Why do cats meow when they are adults?

Meowing for kittens is similar to a baby crying. As human adults grow, they stop crying, but as kittens grow up they continue to cry. Why is this?
Jbnimble
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What do spiders do all day?

I found a question about ants sleeping - Do ants or other insects sleep, and if so why?, but I don't think it really answers my question. For the question, I'm mostly referring to web-making spiders, say orb webs. So a spider set up shop inside my…
Raystafarian
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Why does ostrich and other birds like pigeon swallow stones?

I have read in my book that birds swallow stone to help in their digestion process. What is the need of swallowing stones? And how does it aid them?
Amit Rana
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In the context of twin studies, what do 'unique environmental factors' and 'shared environmental factors' refer to?

I was reading this study on sexual behavior and they refer to both terms without clarification. Does 'unique environmental factors' refer only to the prenatal environment or does it include individual experiences with, say, illness as well? Would…
Twilight Sparkle
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Do orcas react differently to swimmers in orca-like dresses?

Question on animal behaviour. This video shows the trainers of the orcas in swimming pool with them. Why do they use orca-like dresses? Is it just for the show, or do orcas then treat them more peacefully? :)
Tomas
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Solunar theory of animal activity

Solunar theory, which states that animal activity in wild (fishes, deer) depends on position of sun and moon in sky. Based on the solunar calender, hunters seek for optimal time for hunting fishes. I am wondering that how solunar calender is…
kaka
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What happens to silverfish when we throw them out the window?

I'll find a silverfish from time to time in my flat. I don't mind them but usually I catch them and throw them off the balcony (second story) into the bushes and lawn below. I was wondering, since they seem to live in the water conduits in the…
Ron
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What are the most common mechanisms motivating mammals to mate?

I read somewhere that dolphins and humans are some of the only species known to have sex for fun. I was just curious What motivates mammals to mate? (Like what compels them to do it, not what the purpose of doing it is) Are those motives solely…
Stan Shunpike
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Do animals have the notion of fair share and fractions?

There are already several experiments showing that animals (not only humans) can do some math: counting and problem solving. My question is: what about the notion of fair share and fractions? I am looking for any reference or study!
Humberto José Bortolossi
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Hive building animals

Many species of animals build nests to live in. However, a beehive is a structure built by Homo sapians that houses Apis mellifera (or a related bee species). Are there other species of animals that build hives, i.e. that build structures designed…
Kevin Kostlan
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What to do if someone breaks a bone?

What is the best first aid someone an do in events of fractures? I am sports physician - just wondering if there is a specific certification for something like this. thanks
Vicky
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