Key Area 1
(e) Measuring and recording animal behaviour
In this final section of Key Area 1, we will look at how scientists monitor and record animal behaviour.
Projects at Edinburgh Zoo & Highland Wildlife Park
Did you know that you can apply to complete your Advanced Higher Biology investigation at Edinburgh Zoo or the Highland Wildlife Park?
You must complete an application to make a bid for your study and, if successful, you will be able to conduct a behavioural research study on some of the parks' endangered species.
If this sounds like one for you, complete the application form below and send to education@rzss.org.uk
Copy of advancedhigherform.docxEthology
Ethology is the study of animal behaviour. Some of the measurements used to quantify animal behaviour are shown below.
Latency
The time between the stimulus occurring and the response behaviour. Here is a dominant male giraffe...how long after the appearance of a second male will it take before neck beating takes place?
Frequency
The number of times a behaviour occurs within the observation period. How many times did a neck beating session take place during the 30 minute observation period?
Duration
The length of time each behaviour occurs during the observation period. How long did this neck battle continue?
Take a few minutes in the company of Sir David Attenborough to carry out your own "ethology".
Ethograms
Following observation of a specific animal, an "ethogram" can be produced detailing species-specific behviours. If performed in a wild context, "time budgets" can also be constructed outlining the duration of each of the behaviours and the total time of observation. This allows the researcher to calculate the proportion of time spent on each behaviour in the time budget.
An ethogram and time budget for a group of Orangutan
Anthrophomorphism
When performing an ethogram, it is important to avoid anthropomorphism when analysing behaviour – this might involve assigning human emotion to animal behaviour and can lead to invalid conclusions.
Some examples of GOOD and BAD recordings are shown below:
Good recordings = simply stating what you observe
BAD recordings = anthropomorphism; assigning human emotion to animal behaviour).
Task 12
Wee Jonny grew up surrounded by animals and was absolutely hooked by what he was hearing. "Miss, I'm totally going to apply to Edinburgh Zoo for my AH Bio project. I've got some many ideas!".
Dr McRobbie was delighted, "Excellent. Have a good read around the Edinburgh Zoo website and check out appropriate species choices and project aims. This next task might help focus your mind".
The task involved using an ethogram and time budget. "The ethogram was constructed based on a 20 minute observation period of an orangutan. Use the information to produce a suitable chart to reflect the time budget by calculating the proportion of time spent on each behaviour".
Suggested answers are available here.
Now go to SCHOLAR for:
1.5 - Measuring and recording animal behaviour
1.6 - Learning points
1.7 - End of topic test
Your teacher might now issue you with Learner Check 13 to check your learning of Topic 2, Key Area 1.
