Self And The Phenomenon Of Life: A Biologist Examines Life From Molecules To Humanity

The Animal Self: Neurobehavioral Correlates 149

“9x6” b2726 Self and the Phenomenon of Life: A Biologist Examines Life from Molecules to Humanity

Loggerhead turtle hatchlings use Earth’s magnetism for global
positioning to navigate long-distance to the favored part of the Atlantic
Ocean. They appear to be able to locate the correct destination
with both the longitudinal and latitudinal coordinates of the Earth’s
magnetic map.^19
Young ducks and geese have an instinctive fear of their natural
predators. Figure 7.13 shows a model that has the shape of a flying bird.
When the model sails to the right, simulating a predator, the young birds
go into panic and try to escape; but when it sails to the left, simulating a
goose, they do not respond. No learning is involved.

7.6.4 Imprinting in young animals

Imprinting is a primitive type of learning that borders on instincts. It is
acquired at a very young age, within a critical period, whose effect may
last a lifetime. One well-known example is the “following behavior” of
goslings reported by Konrad Lorenz. Goslings are imprinted to follow
the first moving object they see after hatching, whatever it is, even pre-
ferring it to their real mother. Another example is the upstream homing

Fig. 7.13. Instinctive response of young birds to flying objects. Ducklings or goslings
respond with fear when the object (or shadow) moves to the right, simulating a hawk,
but not when it moves to the left, simulating a goose. No experience is necessary. [See
Note 36; courtesy Oxford Univ. Press.]