2. Foraging

Question 1

Learning Outcome 1: Gain an understanding of how animals forage for food.
- Foraging and Fitness
- Uneven Food Distribution

Answer 1

Foraging and Fitness
- Foraging relates to an animal’s fitness (survival and reproduction).
- Effective foraging strategies likely undergo natural selection.
Uneven Food Distribution
- Food is not evenly distributed in the environment.
- It’s found in patches.

Question 2

Learning Outcome 2: Be able to explain concepts of optimal foraging theory, providing examples.
- Optimal Foraging Theory (OFT)
- Diet Model of OFT
- Patch-Use Model of OFT
- Partial Preferences

Answer 2

Optimal Foraging Theory (OFT)
- OFT predicts animals forage to maximize fitness.
- Consider factors like handling time and search time for food choices.
Diet Model of OFT
- Considers handling and search time for food choice.
- Balances costs and benefits.
Patch-Use Model of OFT
- Animals stay until benefit equals intake rate.
- Balances staying in patch vs. exploring new patches.
Partial Preferences
- Animals might not always follow OFT predictions.
- Exhibit partial preferences for certain foods.

Question 3

Learning Outcome 3: Demonstrate knowledge of costs animals experience during foraging behavior.

Foraging Costs
Giving Up Density (GUD)
Varied GUD

Answer 3

Foraging Costs
Metabolic, missed-opportunity, and predation risk costs.
Factors impacting foraging efficiency.

Giving Up Density (GUD)
Measures food left in patch when animal departs.
Reflects metabolic and opportunity costs.

Varied GUD
GUD varies across patches due to costs.
Patch selection influenced by costs.

Question 4

Learning Outcome 4: Understand how social influences can impact foraging behavior.

Benefits of Group Foraging
Public Information
Producers vs. Scroungers
Influence of Conspecifics

Answer 4

Benefits of Group Foraging
Cooperation, predator defense, access to public information.
Group foraging advantages.

Public Information
Information from conspecifics or other animals.
Reduces search time for patches.

Producers vs. Scroungers
Producers search for food; scroungers exploit others’ finds.
Different roles in social foraging.

Influence of Conspecifics
Foraging success of others affects choices.
Social cues impact individual behavior.