Can we predict where, when and how animals will be looking for food? In this simulation, you will learn about the behaviours that regulate the foraging habits of animals. Discover the notions of foraging currency, daily budget and the optimality model, all of which can be used to predict the foraging patterns.

Protecting crops from a local forager

Scientists on the exoplanet Astakos IV have a problem: One of the local species has been eating the crops in the colony’s agricultural research facility. In this simulation, your task is to study the behavior of that animal in its natural habitat, and to try to create a model of the foraging patterns in order to understand why the animal comes to the colony to feed.

Optimal Foraging Theory

Your first task is to define the trophic strategy of the alien forager, and then to builda theoretical model around the foraging pattern using nutritional data and the Optimal Foraging Theory. You will go on a field trip to follow a specimen in the wild, thus adding field data to your predictions and updating the model accordingly. Finally, you will have to incorporate the notion of risk-sensitivity to create a complete foraging model of this entirely new and fictional species.

Save the crops!

Using your newfound knowledge, will you be able to find a solution to stop the forager fromfeeding on the crops in the colony?