Social behaviourSocial behaviour

Many organisms live with others and depend on each other for survival. For example many animals live in social groups.

Part of BiologySustainability and interdependence

Social behaviour

Many animals live in social groups. Individuals benefit from increased survival due to:

  • increased protection
  • opportunities for cooperative hunting
  • division of labour

The members of the group react to social signals given by others. The success of the group requires the members to exhibit certain behavioural adaptations.

A lion pride, with two large males, resting in the shade
Image caption,
A pride of lions relaxing in the shade