skip navigation Logo and link to home page

Fighting Walnut Flies:
Next page
Contents of this module

Principles of Animal Behavior:
Home
Modules
Contents
Links
Behavior News
Site Tour
About
Credits

 
Next

Fighting Walnut Flies: Sequential Assessment

Photo © Copyright Charles Hedgcock.
All rights reserved.
closeup photo of two male walnut flies standing on their hind legs and boxing
Some of the most compelling images of animal behavior come from ritualized contests: two opponents engage in a series of peculiar motions, such as these "boxing" walnut flies (right).

What purpose do these behaviors serve? If the goal is to defeat an opponent, why not just simply fight?

In this module, you will learn about symbolic display behaviors by playing a series of games. In these games, you are required to decide how to respond to an opponent who confronts you.

Next: table of contents.

Eager to jump right in? Skip the intro stuff and go directly to the main story.

     
Top of page
Next

Fighting Walnut Flies: Start | Contents
Principles of Animal Behavior: Home | Modules | Contents | Links | Behavior News
Problems using this page? Email the webmaster