Summary
Seemingly purposeless activity in young animals that develops skills and social bonds.
In depth
Features: voluntary, repeated, exaggerated, in relaxed settings. Hypotheses: motor skill practice, social bonding and learning about rules. Found in mammals, birds and some reptiles; rats even show laughter-like ultrasonic calls.
Play is costly in energy and risk, so it must have benefits, such as developing motor skills, social competence and cognitive flexibility. It is more frequent in juveniles and animals with large brains.
Example: play fighting in rats shapes prefrontal cortex development.
Frequently asked questions
What is Play Behaviour?
Seemingly purposeless activity in young animals that develops skills and social bonds.
Which area of biology covers Play Behaviour, and how advanced is it?
Play Behaviour is one of the 53 topics in Animal Behaviour. It is rated Intermediate, so it suits learners who already know the core vocabulary. Related topics in this area include Learned Behaviour, Bird Song Learning, Migration Behaviour.
Can you give an example of Play Behaviour?
Lion cubs practise stalking in play fights.
What should I learn before Play Behaviour?
Work through the Beginner topics in Animal Behaviour first, such as Animal Behaviour, Innate Behaviour, Learned Behaviour, then return to Play Behaviour. Intermediate topics assume the Beginner vocabulary.
What topics are related to Play Behaviour?
The closest topics to Play Behaviour are Learned Behaviour, Bird Song Learning, Migration Behaviour, Habituation. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Play Behaviour?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Play Behaviour. To practise the whole of Animal Behaviour, use the Animal Behaviour quiz.
How is Play Behaviour different from Learned Behaviour?
Play Behaviour: Seemingly purposeless activity in young animals that develops skills and social bonds. Learned Behaviour: Behaviour changed by experience, such as a bird learning a song. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Play 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 Learned Behaviour and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Animal Behaviour quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.