Question

Behavioral Ecology

• What is optimal foraging theory? Be able to explain examples of animal behavior in terms of optimal foraging theory.

• Be able to draw and explain a figure like Figure 8.6.

• How does foraging behavior change in response to predators?

• Explain how squirrel tail flagging behavior and snake response to it benefits both squirrels and snakes.

• Explain crow predator mobbing and its costs and benefits.

• Which animals are likely to be monogamous? What is social monogamy and why might it be advantageous for some species?

• What are brood parasites and what are the advantages and disadvantages of being one? Why do the host parents fall for it?