nonsolitary

The term "nonsolitary" describes something that is not solitary. In biological contexts, it refers to animals that live in groups, colonies, or societies, rather than living alone. This is in contrast to solitary animals, which typically forage, reproduce, and defend territory independently.

Nonsolitary behavior can manifest in various forms. Some animals live in pairs, such as many bird species. Others form larger aggregations like flocks of birds, schools of fish, or herds of mammals. The most complex forms of nonsolitary living are found in social insects, such as ants, bees, and termites, which exhibit highly organized colonies with division of labor.

The advantages of nonsolitary living can include increased protection from predators through vigilance and collective defense, enhanced foraging efficiency by sharing information or cooperating in hunts, and improved reproductive success through shared parental care or access to mates. However, living in groups can also lead to increased competition for resources, greater susceptibility to disease transmission, and potential conflicts within the group. The specific social structure and behaviors of nonsolitary species vary widely across the animal kingdom.