Kangaroo rats

    

         Kangaroo rats are animals which have large tails, big feet, large heads, big eyes, and small ears. They always live in a desert and have an ability to survive without water. Kangaroo rats’ long legs and ability to hear a very quiet voice allow them to hear a rattlesnake's sound and jump up to “9 feet in one jump” in order to run away "Kangaroo Rat Fact Sheet."  Sometimes, people argue that is this behavior innate or learned? In fact, there is no way to prove that except doing an experiment.

        In the experiment, I would take  newborn kangaroo rats and raise them alone for six months. After that, I would make them hear a rattlesnake’s sound several times and observe their behavior each time. Next, I would put them in an environment which  looks like a desert and watch their behaviors. Finally, I would but a rattlesnake with them in that an artificial environment. Kangaroo rats reactions will decide that is this behavior innate or learned? Generally, if these kangaroo rats jump backwards in order to escape from the rattlesnake, that means this behavior is innate. On the other hand, if they do not jump backwards, that means this behavior is learned.   

          To sum it all up, Kangaroo rats have an ability to jump up in order to protect themselves. Even though some people argue that this reaction toward a dangerous situation is learned, I claim that this behavior is innate because Kangaroo rats born with some features which allow them to jump up. Moreover, the needed to survive is innate. Consequently, this needed makes them react as fast as they can toward dangerous situations.

"Kangaroo Rat Fact Sheet." Kangaroo Rat Fact Sheet. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2016.