Optimal foraging

Optimal foraging is a concept from ecology that describes how animals or humans seek to gather food in the most efficient way. It involves balancing the effort and time spent searching for food with the nutritional value gained. The goal is to maximize energy intake while minimizing energy expenditure and risk. For example, an animal might choose to hunt in an area with abundant prey rather than searching widely, or pick prey that provides the most energy for the least effort. This strategy helps ensure survival and reproductive success by making feeding as effective as possible.