Why do animals exhibit certain behaviors and how did such behaviors evolve? Using “Science as a Way of Knowing”, we will explore the world of animal behavior and how biologists know what we know about why (and how) animals do what they do. The mechanisms through which animals perceive their environment and the cues they use to initiate and regulate their behaviors will be examined throughout the course. Animal behavior links the genetics and physiology of an animal to the dynamic environmental and ecological aspects of its life, so many levels of biology and how they simultaneously influence animal behavior will be explored. Behaviors will be examined not only across a wide variety of animals from invertebrates to large domesticated mammals, but also across a variety of behavior types from mate selection, to food selection, to social living, and many more. Contemporary scientific hypotheses and theories will be used to explain the reasons why we think animals do what they do, which is often (if not always) ultimately linked to increased chances of survival and reproduction. As fascinating and even puzzling as some animal behaviors seem, they can be studied and explained using the scientific method, a main tenet of this course. Along the way, myths and misperceptions about animal behavior will be discussed, including those among the scientific community and how views have changed over time. For instance, animals (including invertebrates) are capable of some remarkably complex behaviors, often exceeding what many early biologists imagined. Finally, practical applications of animal behavior science will be discussed.