Praxis II: Biology Content Knowledge Exam Prep

Answer: E, The animals that do not form societies are bears. Most bear species tend to live in solitude and only form groups for mating purposes.

Key Takeaway: Sociability is a trait that applies to the ecology and behavior of a species and not individual organisms. It basically measures the tendency of animals in a species to form groups, or societies. While in many species animals in a family group together, a society is made up of a group of animals that extend past the immediate family. In addition, individuals within a society have different responsibilities in the group (i.e. social structure), so animals that are merely non-aggressive towards one another do not qualify as societies. A society can also be defined as the sum of cooperative, helpful, hurtful, and selfish behaviors within a group.