Play (ethology): Difference between revisions
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In [[ethology]], '''play''' refers to a category of [[animal behaviour]]s with no clear immediate purpose. It typically involves unusual situations, thus provoking unusual reactions by the animal. For this reason, play is widely regarded as a form of training that confers advantages at a later stage. While most [[mammal]]s show a peak in playing behaviour before reaching [[sexual maturity]], many of the most [[intelligence (biology)|intelligent]] species maintain high levels of play throughout adulthood. | In [[ethology]], '''play''' refers to a category of [[animal behaviour]]s with no clear immediate purpose. It typically involves unusual situations, thus provoking unusual reactions by the animal. For this reason, play is widely regarded as a form of training that confers advantages at a later stage. While most [[mammal]]s show a peak in playing behaviour before reaching [[sexual maturity]], many of the most [[intelligence (biology)|intelligent]] species maintain high levels of play throughout adulthood. | ||
Revision as of 10:03, 3 February 2010
In ethology, play refers to a category of animal behaviours with no clear immediate purpose. It typically involves unusual situations, thus provoking unusual reactions by the animal. For this reason, play is widely regarded as a form of training that confers advantages at a later stage. While most mammals show a peak in playing behaviour before reaching sexual maturity, many of the most intelligent species maintain high levels of play throughout adulthood.