Birds migrating, cats chasing prey, sea turtles moving toward the ocean immediately after birth, and a joey (baby kangaroo) moving to its mother s pouch immediately example of _
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Correct Answer: Innate Behavior
Explanation
The behaviors mentioned—birds migrating, cats chasing prey, sea turtles moving toward the ocean after birth, and a joey (baby kangaroo) crawling into its mother’s pouch—are all examples of innate behavior. Innate behaviors are instinctive, genetically hardwired actions that animals perform without prior experience or learning. These actions are essential for survival and are typically triggered by specific stimuli in the environment.
For example, bird migration is an innate seasonal behavior. Birds are born with the ability to sense environmental cues like daylight length and magnetic fields, which guide them to migrate to warmer areas during winter and return during spring.
Cats chasing prey is another innate behavior. Even domestic kittens, without having seen hunting before, will pounce, stalk, and chase moving objects. This shows that hunting instincts are present at birth and are not learned by watching adults.
Sea turtles exhibit a fascinating innate behavior right after hatching. Guided by natural light (usually the reflection of the moon on the water), they instinctively move toward the ocean. They do this without being taught, demonstrating the genetically programmed nature of the action.
Similarly, a joey (baby kangaroo), which is born underdeveloped, instinctively climbs from the birth canal into its mother’s pouch to continue developing. This complex action occurs within minutes of birth and is entirely innate.
Innate behaviors are contrasted with learned behaviors, which develop as a result of experience. While learning can refine innate behaviors, the basic patterns are inborn and crucial for an animal’s immediate survival. Because these actions occur without prior practice, they are often described as fixed action patterns—reliable and predictable across individuals of a species. Thus, all the behaviors listed are clear examples of innate behavior, highlighting the role of instincts in animal life.
