There are many advantages to living 'in the herd', both for animals and people. This collective behavior exhibited by many species that live on Planet Earth is familiar to all of us.
A herd is a term used mainly for grazing mammals. Birds make up a flock (as do sheep), fish make up a school, quail make up a covey, but antelope, reindeer, wildebeests, and elephants come together in herds. In these populations, a solitary animal is often an old or infirm one, which is unable to keep up with the group. It is vulnerable to predators in its solitary state. In contrast, many predators live alone or with one mate for most of their life.
In a group, each individual is less exposed to predators, who isolate one member and attack it while the others flee. A fish in a school has a better chance of survival than one fish alone, since many darting, flashing fishes confuse an enemy. Although a large concentration of prey will attract predators, each individual has a longer life expectancy than if it sneaked around on its own. A group can also contain several powerful defenders, for the protection of the group as a whole.
Predators trail large groups of animals, waiting for one to stray too far from the group or to fall behind. Females giving birth are often separated, although some species will linger close enough to provide protection. Mutual protection inherent in a large group is one main advantage to the herding instinct. Biologists believe that this is learned behavior rather than blind instinct or obedience to hormonal signals.
This principle applies to people as well. If you doubt that, think of being one of a crowd on a city street or walking alone, especially at night. There is also security in following the established rules of society, which is why people dress alike, share tastes in food and music, and accept certain rules of conduct. Those who drive only a few miles over the speed limit are less likely to get a ticket than those who go ten or more miles an hour too fast, although both groups are breaking the law. The faster drivers are just more visible.
There is risk in following that people run in contrast to animals. Believing the 'party line' can lead to foolish decisions - or no decisions at all - and to being led astray. Think of the good people in many countries who turned a blind or indifferent eye to Nazi or genocidal outrages, when as individuals they showed compassion and humanity. It is not usual that any particular view has sole merit; it is good that any opinion or theory should be open to question.
People who would never break serious laws may do so when in a mob - an example of an unruly herd. Lynching someone without a trial, throwing bricks through windows, smearing racial graffiti on buildings, and looting stores are all examples of what mob mentality can cause otherwise sane and law-abiding people to do. It is a strong-minded individual in this sort of scenario who often restores order and sanity.
Living in the herd may be the smartest thing you can do. Just be sure to take the time to think about it. You may find that striking out on your own is better in your particular occasion.
A herd is a term used mainly for grazing mammals. Birds make up a flock (as do sheep), fish make up a school, quail make up a covey, but antelope, reindeer, wildebeests, and elephants come together in herds. In these populations, a solitary animal is often an old or infirm one, which is unable to keep up with the group. It is vulnerable to predators in its solitary state. In contrast, many predators live alone or with one mate for most of their life.
In a group, each individual is less exposed to predators, who isolate one member and attack it while the others flee. A fish in a school has a better chance of survival than one fish alone, since many darting, flashing fishes confuse an enemy. Although a large concentration of prey will attract predators, each individual has a longer life expectancy than if it sneaked around on its own. A group can also contain several powerful defenders, for the protection of the group as a whole.
Predators trail large groups of animals, waiting for one to stray too far from the group or to fall behind. Females giving birth are often separated, although some species will linger close enough to provide protection. Mutual protection inherent in a large group is one main advantage to the herding instinct. Biologists believe that this is learned behavior rather than blind instinct or obedience to hormonal signals.
This principle applies to people as well. If you doubt that, think of being one of a crowd on a city street or walking alone, especially at night. There is also security in following the established rules of society, which is why people dress alike, share tastes in food and music, and accept certain rules of conduct. Those who drive only a few miles over the speed limit are less likely to get a ticket than those who go ten or more miles an hour too fast, although both groups are breaking the law. The faster drivers are just more visible.
There is risk in following that people run in contrast to animals. Believing the 'party line' can lead to foolish decisions - or no decisions at all - and to being led astray. Think of the good people in many countries who turned a blind or indifferent eye to Nazi or genocidal outrages, when as individuals they showed compassion and humanity. It is not usual that any particular view has sole merit; it is good that any opinion or theory should be open to question.
People who would never break serious laws may do so when in a mob - an example of an unruly herd. Lynching someone without a trial, throwing bricks through windows, smearing racial graffiti on buildings, and looting stores are all examples of what mob mentality can cause otherwise sane and law-abiding people to do. It is a strong-minded individual in this sort of scenario who often restores order and sanity.
Living in the herd may be the smartest thing you can do. Just be sure to take the time to think about it. You may find that striking out on your own is better in your particular occasion.
About the Author:
The web pages at www.intheherd.com present a photographic journey of what it means to be in the herd of Chinoteague ponies. For more details, click on http://www.intheherd.com now.
