Behavioral Ecology
Problems
Problem :
What is profitability? Describe it in your own words. How is it calculated?
Problem :
You are standing in front of a McDenny's and it is dinner time. You consider ordering chicken nuggets, but you are very hungry and not quite sure they will satisfy you. There is a supermarket not too far away, it would probably take you 30 minutes to go to the supermarket and buy a steak. And while the steak has 500 calories, it also takes 20 minutes to cook. The line at McDenny's is not too long, and it will only take you about 7 minutes to get your food, but chicken nuggets only contain 220 calories. Should you stay and order the nuggets or go to the supermarket and get a steak?
Problem :
You are walking in the woods, and are very hungry. Berries are very plentiful where you are, but the do not contain as many calories as apples, which are not quite as easy to find. As you are walking along, you come across an apple tree. Should you spend your time eating the apple, or spend your time eating berries, which you would be able to eat continuously?
Problem :
Describe in your own words why an animal should leave a food patch when the rate of consumption lowers beyond a certain point.
Problem :
The above graph shows you the rate of calorie consumption as a function of time spent at one food source. Food is running out, and you know there is another, completely fresh source about 70 minutes away. What is the total time you should spend at the source you are currently at before leaving for a new source?
