Laboratory Exercises in Animal Behavior - Schooling Behavior in Fishes - Worksheet

Worksheet

1. Explain two benefits of group foraging.

1) An information center is formed (members of the group may find food by following other members of the group).

2) Group foraging is helpful when members are trying to catch prey that would be too large or too elusive for one predator to handle.

2. When food is in short supply which members of the group may do without food?

The weakest, youngest or lowest ranking.

3. What is an advantage that groups of prey have over individual prey?

Members of the group can take turns scanning an area for hunting predators.

4. Describe a situation you can think of where the above situation is true.

There are many answers such as antelope looking for lions or pigeons looking for hawks.

5. What do the authors mean when they talk about members of a group "cheating?"

Some members do not look for predators and therefore gain more time to feed while the other members do look for predators.

6. Define schooling in fish.

The grouping of fish, often of similar size and age, that travel as a social unit with approximately equal spacing between members of the group.

7. Explain two potential advantages of traveling in schools.

Protection from predators and enhanced foraging.

8. Describe a situation when you could be considered to be "schooling."

The students could have various answers such as when a group travels in a dangerous neighborhood, goes out on a Saturday night, or goes on a field trip. Just like the fish, the students derive benefits from being a group, such as increased safety, chances of finding food or finding members of the opposite sex.