What are the hallmarks of instinct?

Distinctive features of instinct.

1. Instincts have no learning stage. So, for example, a newborn baby mammal instinctively looks for the mother’s nipple.

2. All individuals of the same species perform certain actions identically. For example, predators of the feline family during the hunt are all the same at first waiting for prey, then sneaking up and attacking, trying to grab the prey in the neck area.

3. The action is associated with the structural features of the organism of this species and the conditions of its habitation. For example, the instinct of beavers builds huts in the water from logs. This is necessary in connection with their living in water bodies. And their bodies are well adapted to this (strong teeth, paws that resemble flippers, a tail that looks like an oar).

4. Abilities for certain actions are inherited. For example, the desire of some species of animals to possess a certain territory. So, monkeys, cats instinctively mark their territory.