Animal instincts are inherent inclinations of living organisms toward specific complex behaviors, primarily consisting of inborn elements. These behaviors are often performed without prior experience or learning and can be observed in various species. For example, newly hatched sea turtles instinctively move toward the ocean, while marsupials climb into their mother's pouch at birth. Other instinctual behaviors include animal fighting, courtship rituals, and nest building [1]. 

In evolutionary psychology, a concept known as the 'four Fs' summarizes the basic drives or instincts of animals, which include fighting, fleeing, feeding, and mating. These motivations are linked to hormonal activity in the hypothalamus and play a crucial role in survival [2]. 

Overall, instincts are fixed patterns of behavior that are generally invariant within a species, differing from simple reflexes which are straightforward responses to stimuli [1].

What are animal instincts?

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