How long should a dive last? A simple model of foraging decisions by breath-hold divers in a patchy environment

• Published in: Animal behaviour Vol. 61; no. 2; pp. 287 - 296
• Main Authors: Thompson, D., Fedak, M.A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Kent Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2001; Elsevier; Harcourt Brace Jovanovich Ltd
• Subjects: Animal behavior; Animal ethology; Biological and medical sciences; Birds; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Mammalia; Mammals; Marine; Pinnipedia; Predation; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Vertebrata; Water; Norway; Europe; Carnivora; Feeding behavior; Decision making; Predatory behavior; Environmental factor; Cognition; Pinnipedia; Foraging behavior; Marine environment; Vertebrata; Mammalia; Dive; Environment; Strategy; Models; Field study

Although diving birds and mammals can withstand extended periods under water, field studies show that most perform mainly short, aerobic dives. Theoretical studies of diving have implicitly assumed that prey acquisition increases linearly with time spent searching and have examined strategies that m...