Texas Animal Control Officer Practice Test

What behavioral tendencies are associated with domestic dogs?

1. Asocial and nocturnal

2. Crepuscular with diurnal tendencies

3. Nocturnal only

4. Strictly diurnal

The correct answer is: Crepuscular with diurnal tendencies

Domestic dogs exhibit a range of behavioral tendencies that include being crepuscular with diurnal tendencies. This means that they are most active during the dawn and dusk hours, which are often referred to as crepuscular periods. Dogs display some diurnal behaviors as well, as they have adapted to the schedules and routines of their human companions. The reason this answer is correct relates to the natural instincts and social behaviors of dogs. Historically, dogs are descendants of wolves, which are also crepuscular animals. This activity pattern is beneficial for hunting and foraging when visibility is optimal, and predators are less active. Additionally, because dogs have been domesticated and adapted to living alongside humans, their activity patterns have shifted slightly to align with human behavior, thus incorporating daytime activities into their routine. In contrast, the other choices are not accurate representations of domestic dog behavior, as they either restrict activity to only specific times that do not align with observed behaviors or do not consider the social nature of dogs which influences their activity levels throughout the day.