Introduction
In nature, many of an animal's activities are centered on obtaining food, finding mates, or avoiding predators, all critical to the ecological success of a species. The behavioral decisions an animal makes often play key roles in its ability to meet these three critical needs.
Consider the dilemma facing a young male lion deciding whether to challenge the adult males of a lion pride. An incorrect decision by the young male could lead to serious injury or death (if he is defeated in combat), or it could lead to a missed opportunity to join a pride and reproduce (if he delays combat unnecessarily). Likewise, a young trout that remains close to a hiding place while feeding may increase its chance of escaping predators, but in so doing, it may forgo the opportunity to forage in areas that are rich with food but lacking in protective cover.As these examples suggest, the behavioral decisions made by individuals have very real costs and benefits that affect their ability to survive and reproduce. These examples also highlight the fact that animal behaviors take place in an ecological setting: the behavioral decisions of the lion and the trout are made in the presence of competitors and predators. These behaviors affect survival and reproduction, and are central themes in the field of behavioral ecology, the study of the ecological and evolutionary basis of animal behavior.
Behavioral ecology is a dynamic field, broad in scope. In this chapter we emphasize three aspects of behavior particularly important in ecology: foraging behavior, mating behavior, and living in groups. Let's begin by taking a closer look at the types of questions that behavioral ecologists address in their research.