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. Individual beetles on the island vary in size. It takes the lizard the same amount of energy to catch a beetle, regardless of the size of the beetle. Which beetle does optimal foraging theory predict the lizard will eat most frequently?
A) Beetles that are smaller than average
B) Beetles that are average size
C) Beetles that are bigger than average
D) The size of the beetles is unlikely to affect the lizard's foraging preferences.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Optimal foraging theory suggests that the lizard will prefer to eat the beetles that provide the most energy return for the effort expended. Since it takes the same energy to catch any beetle, the lizard will likely choose the bigger-than-average beetles, as they provide more energy.

A Lizard Is Blown Out to Sea During a Hurricane