Chapter 31, Problem 28A

Summary Introduction

To write: Difference between agonistic and territorial behavior.

Introduction: The study of the interaction of living things with each other and their environment is known as ecology. Every animal interacts with each other and it could be within the members of the same species or the members of the different species.

Explanation of Solution

Agonistic behavior: The behavior developed by some animals in which one animal is the winner and controls the resources such as food and potential mates, is known as agonistic behavior.

For example, two polar bears fighting for the same fish are unlikely to cause injury or death to one another. In this behavior, the fight for food or potential mate is solved when one animal stops participating and eventually leaves.

Territorial behavior: When an animal adopts and controls a physical area against other animals of the same species, it is known a territorial behavior. Mostly, the territories are defended by the male members of the species so that they continue to obtain sufficient mates, food and place to give birth to their offspring.

There are different types of territorial behaviors:

• Verbal signals
• Chemical signals

Conclusion

Agonistic behavior is when two animals engage in a fight for food or potential mate, in which one is the winner and controls the resources.

Territorial behavior is the result of animals adopting and controlling a physical area against other animals of the same species.