Question

which is an example of an instinct?
a rabbit hides when it observes a predator.
a dog wags its tail when it hears a doorbell ring.
a boy pulls his hand away after touching a hot surface.
a dolphin swims through a hoop during an amusement park show.

Explanation:

• An instinct is an innate, unlearned behavior.
• A rabbit hiding when it observes a predator is an instinctive survival behavior that rabbits are born with.
• A dog wagging its tail when it hears a doorbell ring is likely a learned behavior (e.g., associated with people coming home and giving attention).
• A boy pulling his hand away after touching a hot surface is a reflex (a simple, automatic response, not the same as an instinct which is more complex and related to survival in a broader sense for a species).
• A dolphin swimming through a hoop during an amusement park show is a learned behavior (trained by humans).

Answer:

A. A rabbit hides when it observes a predator.