Abstract

From the standpoint of the possible development of an optimal foraging strategy, the time allocation to different food patches and the decision as to when to leave any given patch were examined in wild Japanese monkeys (Macaca fuscata). The investigations yielded the following results: (1) There was no tendency for feeding bouts to be of longer duration in higher-quality patches, i.e. the monkeys did not employ an energy-maximizing strategy during their feeding bouts. (2) The speed of feeding barely decreased with passage of time during a bout. In most cases, therefore, a decrease in feeding speed was not considered relevant to the decision to leave a patch. These findings are evaluated in terms of social factors, and it appears that following a monkey's own family group or the troop usually contributes to the timing of leaving a food patch.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.