Which type of call warns other animals of predators?

Study for the ASU BIO331 Animal Behavior Exam 1 with engaging quizzes. Practice with detailed multiple-choice questions, hints, and explanatory answers. Prepare confidently for your ASU exam!

Alarm calls are vocalizations made by animals to alert other members of their species about the presence of potential predators. These calls serve a critical function in enhancing the survival of individuals within a group by enabling them to take evasive or protective actions in response to danger. Alarm calls are typically loud, distinctive, and often vary in pitch or intensity based on the type of threat.

For example, a specific alarm call might signal the presence of a certain predator, prompting a quick response from nearby animals to seek cover or prepare for flight. This form of communication is vital in many social species, where individuals benefit from being informed about threats in their environment, thereby promoting collective vigilance and enhancing the overall fitness of the population.

In contrast, distress calls generally express an individual's discomfort or pain rather than specifically signaling for caution against predators, social calls facilitate interaction and maintain social bonds without urgency, and courtship calls are related to mating behaviors and attracting partners rather than warning of danger.

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