Author: The Ethogram

The official blog of the UC Davis Animal Behavior Graduate Group.

Sunday Sketch: Mean Girls Flamingos Edition

Like humans, flamingos are social, and their social behavior can contribute to a longer lifespan. They choose their friends, and gain support from their friend group to handle conflicts with rivals. Art & reference by Karli Chudeau & fact written by Nicole Rodrigues [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Schalit, N. (2023, March 8). How we…

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Field Frame Friday: Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owls (Bubo virginianus) are large, widespread raptors which largely hunt at night. They can begin nesting as early as the winter season, and they often make use of old nests made by other large birds when they do. Photo and caption by Cassidy Cooper Edited by Jessica Schaefer

Sunday Sketch: Mouse

Mice prefer to live in enclosed spaces and favor vertical cover to avoid being seen, as protection from predation. They are less active in areas with little cover. Art and fact by Kristina Leslie, Instagram @tinaleslie_ & fact by Nicole Rodrigues, Twitter @n3rodrigues [Edited by Nicole Rodrigues] Reference: Jensen, S. P., Gray, S. J.,& Hurst,…

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Sunday Sketch: Grizzly Bear

Grizzly bears have a large shoulder hump. This hump is where a mass of muscle is attached to their backbone, giving them the strength to dig into the ground to create their dens or search for food. They are omnivores and can eat a variety of foods, including plant roots, berries, grass, fish, squirrels, and…

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Field Frame Friday: Salmon Alevins

These tiny fish, only a few days old, are newly hatched salmon. They still have their yolk sacs (bright orange in this photo) and are called “alevins.”

Sunday Sketch: Ladybug

Ladybugs can come in colors such as red, orange, and black. Predators learn that these colors signal that the prey has an unappetizing taste. Some ladybugs can release a foul smell if attacked, while others simply have these colors and mimic the unappetizing appearance of the foul-smelling ladybugs. Carnivorous ladybugs can consume pests such as…

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