Schoen: Instinctual Behavior

Found at 42^o21’32.74”N, 71^o02’56.06”W, this school of Blueback Herring, Alosa aestivalis, exhibits clear instinctual behavior. When young, these fish do not exhibit the schooling pattern, but gradually they begin to swim in pairs and progressively larger groups all the way up to schools. Schooling is an instinctual behavior that aids these fish in catching more pray, maintaining more protection from predators, and reproducing in larger numbers. Schooling fish respond quickly to changes in the direction and speed of their neighbors. They can move from one configuration to another and then regroup almost as one unit.

Found at 42^o21’32.74”N, 71^o02’56.06”W, these Atlantic Salmon, Salmo salar, demonstrate instinctual behavior through their migratory patterns. Salmon are born in freshwater streams and naturally migrate to saltwater feeding grounds. During this migration, they go through several life stages, facing serious dangers along the way from both human-caused and natural threats.