a behavior pattern that occurs in response to a stimulus and that achieves the satisfaction of a specific drive, as the eating of captured prey by a hungry predator (distinguished from appetitive behavior).

What is a appetitive behavior?

1. an active searching process that precedes consummatory behavior (see consummatory response) and is indicative of desire. Influenced by learning and prior experience, it is highly flexible and—in mating behavior—helps to establish or maintain sexual interaction prior to copulation. 2.

What is an example of appetitive behavior?

[ə′ped·ə·tiv bi′hāv·yər] (zoology) Any behavior that increases the probability that an animal will be able to satisfy a need; for example, a hungry animal will move around to find food.