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This sample is an excerpt from one presentation on Types of Animal Behavior in Boardworks Middle School Science, which contains 142 interactive presentations in total.

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What is innate behavior?

Innate behavior is pre-programmed behavior in animals. Animals carry out this behavior instinctively, without the need to learn new skills.

For example, web building is innate behavior for spiders.

Spiders are able to produce the same web pattern each time with little variation. This behavior is not taught.

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What is learned behavior?

Learned behavior is when an animal develops behavior through experience.

For example, over time a monkey will learn the best way to open nut shells.

Learning helps animals acquire new skills for survival.

Experience and repetition can also improve existing behavior in animals.

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Innate or learned behavior

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What is a reflex response?

A reflex response is an automatic response to a stimulus. These responses happen instantly, helping the animal react to danger quickly.

Reflexes are usually innate. However, they can be learned.

For example, if a snail is disturbed it will retract all of its soft body into its shell. This reflex response helps to protect the snail from predators.

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What is a reflex response?

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