Abstract
Predators can benefit in many ways from foraging in groups. In particular, predators in groups may detect prey faster, acquire larger prey, spend more time foraging, defend their prey or displace other groups more easily, harvest resources more efficiently, or make more accurate choices while foraging. Nevertheless, foraging in groups may also be costly because individuals may compete more intensely for resources, either directly or indirectly; produce resources at a lower rate than expected; or attract more predators. The costs of exploiting food in groups may be avoided in large patches or patches that last a limited amount of time. In many species, there may be several costs and benefits at play, and the relative value of group foraging will typically vary as a function of group size and habitat characteristics, such as patch type and richness. The end result will be that a given species tends to prefer a certain group size.
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