Ethology and Ethograms

Studying an animal’s behavior can provide scientists with valuable information that can improve their care at the Zoo or in conservation efforts. The study of animal behavior is called ethology. Scientists use ethograms to help with this research. When scientists conduct animal observations, they rely on specific procedures to collect data that is as accurate as possible. Researchers use an ethogram to help them do this.

Zookeepers and wildlife researchers use ethograms to study animal behavior, and you can use them, too! Our zookeepers use this technique to become more familiar with our animals and their unique needs. It can help us identify if an animal is stressed or injured. Keeping good behavioral records is an essential part of animal welfare. Wildlife researchers also use ethograms as a way to collect information on wild animals.

There are many different ways to collect data on animal behavior. In interval sampling, observers note what an animal is doing at pre-set, evenly-spaced time intervals. An ethogram allows the researcher to get a clear “snapshot” of an animal’s behavior at a precise moment in time. When multiple observations are combined, researchers can begin to draw conclusions about which types of behaviors might be most common for a species, or when certain kinds of actions are most likely to occur. Watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gxpQBi757U Activity

Overview: In this activity, you will learn how to use an ethogram to study animal behavior. You can conduct your observations anywhere animals can be found: from a live video feed, a schoolyard, nearby park, or backyard. It can be a cat, dog, fish, ant, or any animal you see.

Objective: Participants will use an ethogram-based data sheet to record animal behavior.

Materials:  Ethogram and Observation Datasheet  Clipboard  Stopwatch or cellphone with a timer  Pencils

To prepare for the activity, first determine which animal you will be observing. If you don’t have an animal to study at home, check out these live webcams from our Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ partner, the San Diego Zoo! Watch as wildlife explore, eat, swing, pounce, groom, and play through their day, and catch all the action for your ethogram! https://zoo.sandiegozoo.org/live-cams

Procedure  You will be using interval sampling during the activity.  With interval sampling, you will not write down everything you observe about the animal but instead will record what behaviors you see at selected times.  The ethogram datasheet will guide you on what behaviors to look for and record for three minutes.  Get started making observations. Ethogram and Observation Data Sheet:

Species ______

Observation Key:

Feeding  The animal is eating food or drinking water and includes chewing food. Social  The animal is engaged in friendly interaction with another animal. Self-Groom  The animal is engaged in grooming or other self-care activity. Active  This is what that the animal does on its own, such as running, playing, flying, walking, or climbing. Inactive  This is when the animal is sleeping, relaxing, or just sitting still not doing any other behavior. Not Visible  The animal is off exhibit, or you cannot see the animal you were observing. Other  You see a behavior other than the ones described above.

Time Feeding l Social Self Active Inactive Not Other Groom Visible 0:15

0:30

0:45

1:00

1:15

1:30

1:45

2:00

2:15

2:30

2:45

3:00

Notes: