Optimal foraging theory predicts:
A)that animals will select the most nutritious foods.
B)that animals will select the best times to forage for the most nutritious foods.
C)that animals will select whatever foods are available to avoid traveling too far from their home range.
D)that animals will select food items that maximize their net energy intake per unit of foraging time.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Optimal foraging theory suggests that animals will select food items that maximize their net energy intake per unit of foraging time. This means that animals will choose food items that give them the most energy for the least amount of effort. The theory takes into account factors such as the distance to the food source, the competition for food, and the nutritional content of the food. Therefore, option D is the correct choice.

Optimal Foraging Theory Predicts