D1

Question 1

Prey profitability

Answer 1

Energy from prey = E/(H+S)

E = Energy in prey
H = handling time
S = Search time

Question 2

If two prey are such that E1/H1 > E2/H2 (i.e. prey 1 is better food than prey 2), under what circumstance should the predator choose prey 2?

Answer 2

The predator should choose prey 2 when:

S1 > (E1.H2)/E2 - H1