Food
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Selection and Location
Humans have the ability to survive on many different kinds of food,
therefore many of the decisions we make in eating may relate to
preference rather than survival itself, unless supply is somehow
limited. Certainly, there is some preference for different foods
in the herbivore group but most of the feeding decisions relate
to the need of the species to survive. We humans may consider a
change in the diet as a treat, but any changes in the type, amount,
quality and availability of a herbivore’s food source may
upset the delicate balance within the community and have dire consequences
for both the individual and the species.
This section
will look at wildlife nutrition and competition with livestock.
Food
Location
Wildlife may travel great distances to
find food - given that the energy cost is not higher than the energy
derived from the food obtained. For example, small mammals have
short legs and cannot travel as far for food as large mammals.
Unless there
is a good food source in their immediate neighborhood, they will
have problems surviving. Large ungulates such as the elk, on the
other hand, can travel further for food due to their size and strength.
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