Social behavior in animals is a set of interactions between individuals of the same species. Social behavior can be aggressive, mutualistic, cooperative, altruistic, or parental.

1. What is Social Behaviour?
Types of Social Behaviour
Keya Mahanta
PG Sem III
Department of Animal
Science
Kazi Nazrul University

2. DEFINITION
Social behaviour is behaviour among two or
more organisms within the same species and
encompasses any behaviour in which one
member affects the other.

3. BENEFITS
Antipredation: It gives protection against
predators.
Feeding efficiency and information sharing:
Co-operative hunting and capturing of prey
increase the feeding efficiency.
Red-billed queleas form huge
flocks of thousands of birds
Mutual vigilance: Social animals living in
the same habitat respond to the alarm
calls given by members of other species.

4. BENEFITS
Division of labor: Different age groups/sexes
take different positions.
Mating: Sociality offers further benefits to
animals to gain them access to potential mates.
Environmental conditions: Social grouping
protects its members from harsh environments.

5. Example: Insect Societies
Well-developed social behavior is exhibited by insects such as ants, termites, bees, and wasps.
Many of these species live in colonies with thousands.
Different individuals specialize in certain activities.

6. Types of Social Behaviour
Social behaviour characterizes the interactions that occur among individuals.
These can be
Aggressive
Agonistic
Altruistic
Parental

7. Aggressive Behaviour
Forceful behaviour used to dominate another
animal.
Used to defend young, territory, and food.
Teeth baring, growling, bird calls.

8. Parental Behaviour
 Many young depend on their parents
for survival.
 Some adult birds feed their young
because they cannot feed themselves.
 Other animals, like the killer whale,
spend years teaching their young how to
hunt for food.

9. Agonistic Behaviour
Behaviour in which one animal is aggressive or attacks
another animal, the other responds by returning the
aggression.
Symbolic, usually no harm.
The males show their aggression in the form of threat
displays.
It warns other males of an interaction to defend an area
or territory.
e.g. territoriality, dominance hierarchy

10. Altruistic Behaviour
Behaviour in which an individual sacrifices some of its reproductive
potential to benefit another individual.

11. Thank You