Summary
Inherited, instinctive behaviour performed without prior experience, like a spider spinning a web.
In depth
Features: stereotyped, present at first performance, and genetically programmed. Includes reflexes, taxes, kineses and fixed action patterns. Even innate behaviour can be refined by experience.
Genes shape nervous system wiring and hormone responses so the behaviour appears reliably, as in nest building in birds raised in isolation. Innate behaviour is quick and error-free but inflexible, which suits tasks that must be done right first time.
Key idea: innate does not mean unchangeable; many instincts include a learned component.
Frequently asked questions
What is Innate Behaviour?
Inherited, instinctive behaviour performed without prior experience, like a spider spinning a web.
Which area of biology covers Innate Behaviour, and how advanced is it?
Innate Behaviour is one of the 53 topics in Animal Behaviour. It is rated Beginner, so it suits learners who are starting out in biology. Related topics in this area include Instinct, Migration Behaviour, Fixed Action Patterns.
Can you give an example of Innate Behaviour?
Newly hatched cuckoo chicks push eggs out of the host nest.
What should I learn before Innate Behaviour?
Innate Behaviour is a Beginner topic, so no earlier topic is required. Other Beginner topics in Animal Behaviour that pair well with it include Animal Behaviour, Learned Behaviour, Instinct.
What topics are related to Innate Behaviour?
The closest topics to Innate Behaviour are Instinct, Migration Behaviour, Fixed Action Patterns, Courtship. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Innate Behaviour?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Innate Behaviour. To practise the whole of Animal Behaviour, use the Animal Behaviour quiz.
How is Innate Behaviour different from Instinct?
Innate Behaviour: Inherited, instinctive behaviour performed without prior experience, like a spider spinning a web. Instinct: An inborn pattern of behaviour triggered by a particular stimulus. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Innate Behaviour step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Instinct and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Animal Behaviour quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.