Inherited Traits and Learned Behaviors

Fox squirrels live in the trees of city parks throughout Texas. Each spring they build nests of twigs and leaves in the tops of the trees. Fox squirrels are often found near park benches, waiting to be fed by visitors. For fox squirrels, which of these is a learned behavior?

• Building a nest each spring

• Taking food from people

• Having a long, bushy tail

• Having sharp claws

Crayfish live in water and often hide under rocks or plants. They come out to look for food and will eat both plants & animals. Which of these is a trait that a crayfish most likely inherits from his parents?

• The average distance it travels each day

• The number of legs it has

• The amount of food it eats each day

• They type of plants in its habitat

Coyotes learn some of their behaviors as they move around in their environment. Which behavior is most likely learned?

• Running

• Drinking Water

• Avoiding Cacti

• Sleeping

Raccoons living in cities have learned to open lids of garbage cans. This is an example of an animal —

• adapting to its environment

• inheriting the ability to change its diet

• being tamed by humans

• becoming a plant eater

Which of these is an example of a learned behavior?

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Crows are found throughout many parts of the world. They are black birds with excellent hearing. In the wild they live for six to seven years. Some crows in Japan open hard-shelled nuts by dropping them in front of moving cars. Which of these is a learned behavior?

• Having excellent hearing

• Living six to seven years

• Dropping nuts in front of cars

• Having black feathers

Which of the following is most likely a learned behavior?

• A lizard warming itself in the heat of the sun

• A cat running to the kitchen at the sound of a can opener

• Butterflies migrating from Canada to Mexico each year

• A caterpillar feeding on a milkweed plant

Every day a rancher feeds his new horses in the barn at 5:00 p.m. Soon, the horses start heading for the barn at about 4:55 p.m. This behavior is an example of -

• an instinct

• an inherited behavior

• a migration pattern

• a learned behavior

Bears in Yellowstone Park have become accustomed to people being around. The bears often look for food in garbage cans. This is an example of—

• an inherited trait

• a learned behavior

• trial and error

• imprinting

Which characteristic listed below is inherited rather than learned?

• Telling a joke

• Saluting the flag

• Having green eyes

• Riding a bicycle