Ashley's Animal Behaviorist Page

Studying Marine Animal Behavior and Training

By Ashley H

Marine Animal behavior is the scientific study of everything animals do. It involves investigating the relationship of animals to their physical environment as well as to other organisms, and includes such topics as how animals find and defend resources, avoid predators, choose mates and reproduce, and care for their young. Animals behave in certain ways for three basic reasons: 1) to find food, 2) to avoid predators, and 3) to reproduce.

On a dive, the scientist learns about the behavior of nurse shark and gives it a kiss.

This diver is studying the behavior of the eel.

The study of animal behavior is known as ethology. People who study marine animal behavior are concerned with understanding the causes, functions, development, and evolution of behavior. Most scientists involved in animal behavior would need to pursue a degree in zoology, biology, botany, chemistry, engineering, geology, physics, or psychology.

One way to study animal behavior is training the animals and teaching them new behaviors. Trainers can request different behaviors of an animal by signals, which the animals learn to respond to, and are then rewarded. Operant conditioning is a type of learning in which behaviors are altered by the consequences that follow them. If the animal is rewarded, it is more likely to do that behavior again. Trainers use positive reinforcers preceding the behavior such as a scratch, a toy, a fish, or a favorite activity. Adult animals usually learn at a faster rate.

This SeaWorld trainer is rewarding the killer whale with fresh water after it had completed a behavior. This is called a positive reinforcer.

Killer whales learn by immitating thier mothers. This kind of learning is called Observation Learning.

Animals are routinely taught "husbandry" or "veterinary" behaviors that allow trainers to monitor and track their health status and even treat them when necessary with the least amount of delay or stress.Training also helps when it comes time to relocate an animal. In addition, many independent researchers now agree with what trainers have known for a long time, that training provides valuable mental and physical stimulation, as a form of environmental enrichment, which is important for long-term health and well-being.

Offical SeaWorld Website	Find out how animals learn and how they can be trained.
Animal Behavior Society	Learn about animal behavior and what career opportunites there are in this field of study.
Offical SeaWorld Website	Introduction to animal behavior
Animal Behavior Society Website	Significance of animal behavior research
Marine Mammal Training and Care	This site offers information such as the importance of animal training, and insights into the world of marine animal care and training.