Which of the following examples reflects the concept of optimal foraging?
A) During foraging, a mule deer will consume food as soon as it finds it, regardless of the location.
B) A cheetah will continue a chase for prey, regardless of how long the chase lasts or how much energy is consumed.
C) A moose spends more time looking for food when the food is high quality than when the food is low quality.
D) If an animal is hungry it will consume food as soon as it is found, regardless of the food quality or the risk.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Optimal foraging refers to the behaviors that maximize an animal's food intake while minimizing its energy expenditure in the process. Choice C explains this concept because the moose spends more time looking for high-quality food, which maximizes its food intake, and spends less time looking for low-quality food, which minimizes its energy expenditure. The other choices do not reflect the concept of optimal foraging because they do not involve a trade-off between food intake and energy expenditure.

Which of the Following Examples Reflects the Concept of Optimal