What type of behavior is studied under ethology?

Ethology is the scientific study of animal behavior, particularly in a natural setting. This field focuses on understanding how animals interact with each other, their environments, and their species-specific behaviors. Ethologists observe and interpret behaviors such as mating rituals, foraging tactics, territorial disputes, and social interactions among animals.

The study of animal behavior involves methodologies that observe animals in their natural habitats to gain insights into their behavioral patterns, instincts, and the evolutionary significance of these behaviors. By focusing on behavior, ethology contributes to a deeper understanding of the biological and ecological factors that influence how animals function in their environments.

In contrast, the other areas mentioned, such as animal nutrition, habitat, and care, do not specifically focus on behavior. Animal nutrition relates to dietary needs and food sources, animal habitat deals with the living environments of species, and animal care encompasses the management of their health and wellbeing. None of these fields primarily investigate the behaviors that ethology targets.