Foraging ecology

Foraging ecology studies how animals search for and gather food, focusing on how they balance the need to find enough nourishment with the risks involved, like predators or difficult terrain. It examines behaviors, strategies, and interactions that influence food choices, foraging patterns, and success rates. Factors such as the distribution of resources, energy costs, and competition all play a role. Understanding foraging ecology helps explain animal behavior, ecosystem dynamics, and how species adapt to their environments to survive and reproduce effectively.