The Ethogram

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The Ethogram

A blog for all of your animal behavior needs! The Ethogram is an animal behavior blog created by members of UC Davis' Animal Behavior Graduate Group.

For more information, check out our website: www.TheEthogram.com

07/08/2026

Sci Hero: Dr. Jane Goodall

The Ethogram believes that science should be accessible and diverse in order to increase the sense of belonging within the science community. Each month we highlight a “Sci Hero” so the next generation of scientists and naturalists may be inspired....

The Ethogram believes that science should be accessible and diverse in order to increase the sense of belonging within the science community. Each month we highlight a “Sci Hero” so the next genera…

04/03/2026

Science Heroes: Jane Goodall

Happy Jane Goodall Day! Dr. Jane Goodall, the beloved primatologist and tireless conservation advocate, would have turned 92 years old today. People around the world, including many of us at The Ethogram, continue to be inspired by Goodall’s scientific contributions and her message of hope and empathy for all living organisms. Before she passed away in October 2025, Goodall said “I think I'd like to be remembered as someone who really helped people to have a little humility and realize that we are a part of the animal kingdom, not separated from it.” Here are some ways you can honor and continue Goodall’s legacy—today and every day:...

Happy Jane Goodall Day! Dr. Jane Goodall, the beloved primatologist and tireless conservation advocate, would have turned 92 years old today. People around the world, including many of us at The Et…

03/06/2026

Field Frame Friday: Doe a deer

A doe and two young fawns are spotted one early spring morning in a coastal research plot at the Bodega Marine Reserve field station. In white-tailed deer, older does are more successful at protecting their fawns compared to first-time moms. Older does perform distraction tactics that lead predators away from the fawns, and have been described as "striking" at coyotes and dogs....

A doe and two young fawns are spotted one early spring morning in a coastal research plot at the Bodega Marine Reserve field station. In white-tailed deer, older does are more successful at protect…

02/15/2026

Sunday Sketch: Japanese macaques

The Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) are often referred to as "snow monkeys" due to their habitation in snowy regions of Japan. They reside in matrilineal groups, meaning that the females stay in the groups throughout life, and the males move out. Moms have varying maternal "styles" in the way that they parent, with some being protective and some being rejective of the babies....

The Japanese macaque (Macaca fuscata) are often referred to as “snow monkeys” due to their habitation in snowy regions of Japan. They reside in matrilineal groups, meaning that the fema…

02/11/2026

What Reality TV Gets Right (and Wrong!) About Animal Pair Bonds

Valentine’s Day is approaching, which means science media is going to once again be filled with awww-inducing images of penguins standing shoulder-to-shoulder and seahorses delicately entwining their tails, usually accompanied by claims about “mating for life.” These stories are comforting, romantic, and… deeply misleading. The reality of animal “love” is far more nuanced. Animal attachment is rare. Most animals do not form long-term relationships, and even fewer develop selective psychological attachments to a partner....

Valentine’s Day is approaching, which means science media is going to once again be filled with awww-inducing images of penguins standing shoulder-to-shoulder and seahorses delicately entwining the…

02/01/2026

Sunday Sketch: Tree swallows

Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are migratory birds found in North America who feast mostly upon insects like flies. A three year study found that these birds defend their babies in the nest, with males performing more aggression than females, and they defended more strongly against ferrets compared to snakes. Art by .art Edited by Isabelle McDonald Reference: Winkler, D. W. (1992). Causes and consequences of variation in parental defense behavior by tree swallows. Ornithological Applications, 94(2), 502–520.

Tree swallows (Tachycineta bicolor) are migratory birds found in North America who feast mostly upon insects like flies. A three year study found that these birds defend their babies in the nest, w…

01/30/2026

Field Frame Friday: Brazilian Nelore cattle

Nelore cattle (Bos indicus) originate from Ongole cattle and are an indigenous breed from India. They were brought to Brazil in 1868, and are known for their distinctive hump on their back and high heat tolerance. As an animal used for beef, the female cattle are bred to produce calves. An experiment found that when they measured the estrous behavior (also called "heat", the state of sexual receptivity where female cattle would accept mounting from a male) in Nelore cattle, they perform it for shorter amounts of time than European breeds and a lot at nighttime....

Nelore cattle (Bos indicus) originate from Ongole cattle and are an indigenous breed from India. They were brought to Brazil in 1868, and are known for their distinctive hump on their back and high…

01/21/2026

Throwback Creature Feature: California ground squirrel

This Squirrel Appreciation Day (January 21st), celebrate with California's own fearless fluffball...

This Squirrel Appreciation Day (January 21st), celebrate with California’s own fearless fluffball

01/12/2026

Field Frame Friday: Otters’ spatial task

The asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) is the smallest otter species in the world and lives throughout southeast Asia. Cognitive research performed at the Atlanta Zoo found that the animals were able to learn a spatial task and have good working and reference memory. Working memory is temporary information stored over a short period of time, whereas reference memory is long term retention of knowledge....

The asian small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus) is the smallest otter species in the world and lives throughout southeast Asia. Cognitive research performed at the Atlanta Zoo found that the animals …

01/06/2026

Creature Feature: Sea Turtles

Growing up in New York State, I knew turtles as slow creatures, bell-shaped and rugged, with the wrinkled face and lumbering demeanor of a wise old man. One or two might inhabit your backyard, or be found swimming in a nearby pond. In comparison to these terrestrial and freshwater specimens, sea turtles were a distant other that I would never encounter in my landlocked town....

Growing up in New York State, I knew turtles as slow creatures, bell-shaped and rugged, with the wrinkled face and lumbering demeanor of a wise old man. One or two might inhabit your backyard, or b…

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