This paper presents an ethogram-based observational study of two animal species — monkeys and sea lions — conducted at the Bronx Zoo. Drawing on the principles of ethological research, the author records and categorizes distinct behaviors observed in each species, including monkey body language and feeding habits, and sea lion vocalizations and social interaction patterns. The paper reflects on how systematic, minute-by-minute behavioral cataloguing reduces anthropocentrism and helps researchers interpret animal behavior within each species' own social context rather than measuring it against human norms.
All ethological research must begin with accurate observation of the subjects at hand. One of the most important aspects of accurate observation is that the observer be able to isolate and distinguish one type of behavior from another. For example, when a primate scratches itself, is it engaging in ritual grooming behavior or is it simply scratching an insect bite? Researchers must be able to distinguish and catalogue such differences if they are to acquire a complete picture of the range of meaningful behaviors of an animal (Shanor & Kanwal, 2009).
In my observations of two species of animals at the Bronx Zoo, I was able to observe and record a number of distinct behaviors. In observing a group of monkeys — some orange in color, others dark brown — I was very much aware of the fact that the different individual monkeys displayed highly distinctive behavior. I noticed one orange-colored monkey appeared notably sad, although perhaps he was only tired. His body language looked depressed, and he was not interacting with the other monkeys as the rest of them were.
This same monkey also spent some time eating grass with both hands. At the same time as he was eating, he was urinating — which seems a strange combination from a human perspective. He was clearly perfectly comfortable with the combination of behaviors, however, as he repeated it several times.
I also observed sea lions. The most striking behavior I saw them engage in was their vocalizations. In a way, they communicate much as humans do — they seem very intelligent and playful, and are certainly very noisy. I concentrated on their barking and found it very interesting to observe how a male sea lion communicated with a female. He lifted his head out of the water and began barking, his "voice" shifting from loud to softer and lower in pitch. As he called out, he turned his neck all the way around and appeared to be addressing his partner.
About three or four minutes later, the noticeably smaller female responded with a similar vocalization, and this pattern of call and response continued to repeat. Surprisingly, they never barked at the same time. I was also struck by the length of time it took the female to respond to her partner's calls. They also appeared very playful with each other, jumping energetically in the water between exchanges.
"Ethograms limit subjectivity and reveal animal-centered meaning"
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