Chapter 34, Problem 5STP

Summary Introduction

Introduction :

Behaviour is the way an animal reacts to a stimulus. The stimulus is an external alteration that directly affects the behavior of the organism. Animal habits are innate and acquired habits that have evolved through natural selection. Learned habits are the product of associations between natural behavior and previous experiences in a specific environment.

Answer to Problem 5STP

Correct answer :

The correct answer is option (B) A female chimpanzee takes care of her infant for three years.

Explanation of Solution

Explanation/justification for the correct answer :

Option (B) A female chimpanzee takes care of her infant for three years. When parents provide care to their offspring in the early stages of development, they are engaging in nurturing behaviors. For example, a female chimpanzee will give birth to one baby which she will nurse for up to three years. So, this is the correct option.

Explanation for incorrect answer :

Option (A) An animal in a colony spots a predator and warns the whole colony. Auditory communication enables animals to send and receive sound signals that travel faster than chemical messages. So, this is an incorrect option.

Option (C) A male peacock displays its feathers in front of a female. An animal engages in court actions to attract a companion. Courtship signs like a show of brightly colored feathers or a sequence of gestures or sounds are species-specific. So, this is an incorrect answer.

Option (D) A squirrel chatters at another squirrel to drive it away. Chattering squirrels is a territorial behavior. Territorial activity is an effort to claim and regulate a physical area against other animals of the same species. So, this is an incorrect answer.