Animal Behaviour Exercise

Animal Behavior Exercise Your Name Subject and Section Professor’s Name January 31, 2024 Part 1: Animal Identification Duration: Approximately 30 minutes Task: Observation of a group of cats in a park; determine the various interactions, dynamics, and even individual actions Observation Details: * Date of Observation: January 30, 2024 * Location: Local Park * Time: Late Afternoon * Weather Conditions: Mild and Sunny * Species Observed: Domestic Cats (Various Breeds) Individual Cat Identification: 1 Cat ID: Juliet-1 1 Description: The first cat, Juliet-1 is a small, agile Siamese cat with striking blue eyes and a sleek coat. As compared to other members of the population, it has a distinctive dark patch on its nose. 2 Behavior Noted: Very sociable, frequently seen initiating play with other cats, and showing a curious nature towards park visitors. 2 Cat ID: Kilo-2 3 Description: Kilo-2 is one of the largest cats in the group. It stands out with its fluffy, long-haired calico coat. Also, it has a bushy tail and one ear slightly bent forward. 4 Behavior Noted: As compared to others, Kilo-2 is relatively more reserved, often found lounging in the sun or observing others from a distance. However, it occasionally interacts with other cats. 3 Cat ID: Lima-3 5 Description: Lima-3, a large tabby, has a distinctive pattern of stripes and a distinctive nick on its left ear. It also has brown eyes like Juliet-1. 6 Behavior Noted: Initial observations would show that it appears dominant within the group, often seen marking territory and leading movements to different areas of the park. 4 Cat ID: Mike-4 7 Description: Mike-4 is an all-black cat with a sleek coat and a small white patch on its chest. It has a lithe, athletic build and one of the slimmest cats in the group. 8 Behavior Noted: Mike-4 is highly independent (most of the times) as it prefers solitary activities. However, a prolonged observation would indicated that it occasionally engages in brief interactions with Juliet-1 and Lima-3. Additional Notes: * The group dynamics were intriguing, with clear social interactions and varying levels of activity among the cats. * Individual identification was aided by the distinct physical features and behaviors of each cat. * The late afternoon setting provided a serene backdrop for observing the natural behaviors of these cats in a relaxed environment. Part 2: Continuous Focal Animal Sampling Duration: 30 minutes total (10 minutes per animal) Task: Individual observation and behavioral recording of three cats using ethogram categories. Date of Observation: January 30, 2024 Location: Local Park Weather Conditions: Mild and Sunny Ethogram Categories: Rest, Travel, Feed, Social, Vocalize, Other Data Collection Sheet: 1 Animal ID: Juliet-1 (Siamese Cat) 1 Start Time: 4:00 PM 2 End Time: 4:10 PM Time Actor Action Recipient Notes 4:00:00 PM Juliet-1 Social Kilo-2 Approaches Kilo-2, initiates play 4:01:15 PM Juliet-1 Travel - Moves towards the park bench 4:01:45 PM Juliet-1 Vocalize - Meows softly while exploring 4:02:30 PM Juliet-1 Rest - Sits and grooms herself under the tree 4:03:10 PM Juliet-1 Social Kilo-2 Rubs against Kilo-2 4:04:00 PM Juliet-1 Travel - Walks to the water fountain 4:04:50 PM Juliet-1 Feed - Sniffs and nibbles at grass 4:05:30 PM Juliet-1 Rest - Lies down, observing surroundings 4:06:10 PM Juliet-1 Vocalize Lima-3 Meows at Lima-3 passing by 4:07:00 PM Juliet-1 Social Mike-4 Plays with a leaf near Mike-4 4:07:45 PM Juliet-1 Travel - Jumps onto a low wall 4:08:20 PM Juliet-1 Other - Chases a butterfly 4:09:00 PM Juliet-1 Rest - Sits atop the wall, looking around 4:09:30 PM Juliet-1 Social Human Approaches a park visitor 4:09:45 PM Juliet-1 Vocalize Human Purrs when petted by the visitor 4:09:55 PM Juliet-1 Travel - Moves back to the grassy area 2 Animal ID: Kilo-2 (Calico Cat) 3 Start Time: 4:11 PM 4 End Time: 4:21 PM Time Actor Action Recipient Notes 4:11:00 PM Kilo-2 Rest - Settles in a shaded area under a tree 4:12:05 PM Kilo-2 Feed - Sniffs and eats some cat food left by visitor 4:12:50 PM Kilo-2 Social Juliet-1 Grooms Juliet-1 as she approaches 4:13:30 PM Kilo-2 Travel - Strolls towards a nearby flowerbed 4:14:10 PM Kilo-2 Other - Paws playfully at a floating leaf 4:15:20 PM Kilo-2 Rest - Lies down beside the flowerbed 4:16:00 PM Kilo-2 Vocalize - Lets out a soft meow towards a bird 4:16:45 PM Kilo-2 Travel - Moves to a sunny spot on the grass 4:17:30 PM Kilo-2 Feed - Begins nibbling at some nearby grass 4:18:15 PM Kilo-2 Rest - Sits, watching the other cats play 4:18:50 PM Kilo-2 Social Mike-4 Sniffs Mike-4 as he passes by 4:19:30 PM Kilo-2 Travel - Walks towards a group of pigeons 4:20:10 PM Kilo-2 Rest - Sits under a bench, observing surroundings 4:20:45 PM Kilo-2 Vocalize Human Meows at a child offering a treat 4:21:00 PM Kilo-2 Social Human Receives petting and treats from the child 3 Animal ID: Lima-3 (Tabby Cat) 5 Start Time: 4:25 PM 6 End Time: 4:35 PM Time Actor Action Recipient Notes 4:25:00 PM Lima-3 Travel - Walks assertively across the park 4:25:40 PM Lima-3 Rest - Settles near a park bench 4:26:15 PM Lima-3 Social Mike-4 Sniffs and gently headbutts Mike-4 4:27:00 PM Lima-3 Vocalize - Lets out a series of short meows 4:27:45 PM Lima-3 ...