This document discusses instincts and learned behaviors in animals. It explains that biological instincts are behaviors that animals and humans are born with, like spiders spinning webs or babies crying. In contrast, learned behaviors are those developed through experience, like pets learning to greet owners joyfully in return for food. The document asserts instincts differ from learned behaviors, which animals develop to show affection for something in return.

2. Instincts and Learning
Have you ever watched in disbelief as a spider
spins an amazing web? How does the spider know
how to do that? Why does a human baby utter a cry
when it wants something? Why are cats tempted to
chase mice, and why do cats play with their prey after
they have pounced? These are biological instincts,
behaviors that animals and people are born with.
Learned behavior is opposite of instinct. Has a pet
ever hastened to greet you, showing joy at your
presence? When a pet has endeared itself to a
person, it has learned to be lovable. The animal has
learned to show affection in return for something,
such as food. It’s a pleasing arrangement, for both
the person and the pet.

3. presence (noun)
“Wild animals are everywhere. You can find signs of
their presence” (Journeys, p. 274).
Definition: the fact of being in a particular place; the
state of being present
Different forms: present (adjective)

4. disbelief (noun)
We stared at the raccoons in disbelief. We couldn’t
believe our eyes.
Definition: a feeling that you do not or cannot believe
that something is true or real
Different forms: disbelieve (verb); disbelieves (verb);
disbelieved (verb); disbelieving (verb)

5. be tempted (verb)
“People might want, or be tempted, to pet wild animals,
but the shouldn’t” (Journeys, p. 274).
Definition: to want to do something even though it may
be wrong, bad, or unwise
Different forms: tempt (verb); tempts (verb); tempted
(verb); tempting (verb)

6. biological (adjective)
“Like all living things, animals have a biological need for
food” (Journeys, p. 274).
Definition: relating to life and living things
Different forms: biologically (adverb)

7. endear (verb)
“Many raccoons have endeared themselves to people,
who think they look lovable” (Journeys, p. 275).
Definition: to cause someone to be loved or admired by
someone else.
Different forms: endears (verb); endeared (verb);
endearing (verb); endearing (adjective)

8. arrangement (noun)
“Pigeons find that living among people is a fine plan, or
arrangement” (Journeys, p. 275).
Definition: the way that things or people are organized
for a particular purpose or activity
Different forms: arrange (verb); arranges (verb);
arranged (verb); arranging (verb)

9. pounce (verb)
“Owls have often pounced, or jumped, on small animals”
(Journeys, p. 275).
Definition: to suddenly jump toward and take hold of
someone or something
Different forms: pounces (verb); pounced (verb);
pouncing (verb)

10. utter (adjective)
“Coyotes in suburbs may utter, or express out loud,
spooky cries during the night” (Journeys, p. 275).
Definition: to make a sound; to say something
Different forms: utters (verb); uttered (verb); uttering
(verb); utterance (noun)

11. hasten (verb)
“Animals have always hastened to flee from a wildfire.
They hurry as fast as they can” (Journeys, p. 275)
Definition: to move or act quickly
Different forms: hastens (verb); hastened (verb);
hastening (verb); hasty (adjective)

12. incident (noun)
“An encounter with a skunk can be a smelly incident. It’s
not an enjoyable event” (Journeys, p. 275)
Definition: an unexpected and usually unpleasant thing
that happens
Different forms: incidents (plural noun); without
incident (without any trouble)

13. Instincts and Learning
Have you ever watched in disbelief as a spider
spins an amazing web? How does the spider know
how to do that? Why does a human baby utter a cry
when it wants something? Why are cats tempted to
chase mice, and why do cats play with their prey after
they have pounced? These are biological instincts,
behaviors that animals and people are born with.
Learned behavior is opposite of instinct. Has a pet
ever hastened to greet you, showing joy at your
presence? When a pet has endeared itself to a
person, it has learned to be lovable. The animal has
learned to show affection in return for something,
such as food. It’s a pleasing arrangement, for both
the person and the pet.