Question: why do you use mathsand computer stimulations to study the behaviour if animals?

Edward Codling answered on 13 Jun 2011:

A great question! There are a few reasons:

I did a maths degree and the background knowledge I have is maths and computer science so it is natural that I try to use my skills where I can. I study animal behvaiour because this is what I am really interested in and I find the behaviour of different types of animals fascinating. This makes me ask lots of questions and by studying the topic a bit further I can start to find out more about how and why animals do certain things.

A computer simulation is a bit like a game (did you ever play Sims?). In my simulation I set up a virtual population of animals and give them a few rules for how they behave. I then see what happens after a while and see whether any interesting behaviour or patterns emerge. I can use the simulations to make predictions about how the real world might work. Of course, I then have to use real experiments to test these predictions and see if they work out.

Have you seen my profile (click ‘read more’) – I have a few examples of the types of simulation I do there.