Final answer:
Innate behavior is an instinctive, genetically-inherited response that animals display without needing to learn, such as a spider's ability to spin a web. These behaviors occur naturally and remain consistent throughout life, demonstrating the importance of genetic control over learning from the environment.
Step-by-step explanation:
Innate behavior is an inborn way animals learn certain behaviors, and once this behavior is acquired, it can never be forgotten. This type of behavior is also commonly referred to as instinct.
Examples of innate behavior include complex activities such as a spider spinning a web, a cat's hunting skills, or birds building nests. These actions do not require learning from others; they are equipped with this knowledge at birth. Innate behaviors are controlled by genetic makeup and are instinctive responses to certain stimuli. These behaviors occur naturally in all members of a species and are predictable and consistent, implying that they do not change or have to be refined over time.
While learned behaviors like imprinting and habituation can be influenced by environmental factors and involve some form of practice or adaptation, instinctual behaviors do not. They remain fixed and unchanging, demonstrating the power of genetics over the necessity for environmental learning, especially in lower animals compared to humans. Innate behaviors are crucial for the survival and evolutionary success of animal species as they are often related to important actions like feeding and caring for offspring.