A lizard is blown out to sea during a hurricane. This type of storm occurs very infrequently-on average once every 100 years. The lizard washes up on the beach of a small island and finds some beetles on the beach. The lizard can get an average of about 20 kcal from consuming a beetle. It takes the lizard 10kcal/min to chase and catch a beetle. What is the maximum amount of time that the lizard can spend catching each beetle without expending more energy capturing its prey than it derives from consuming it?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The lizard gains 20 kcal from consuming a beetle and expends 10 kcal/min while chasing it. To avoid expending more energy than it gains, the lizard can spend a maximum of 2 minutes (20 kcal / 10 kcal/min) chasing each beetle.

A Lizard Is Blown Out to Sea During a Hurricane