"Suppose a tree squirrel living in the conifer forests near La Grande eats seeds that it extracts from pine cones and"

Question

"Suppose a tree squirrel living in the conifer forests near La Grande eats seeds that it extracts from pine cones and fungi that it finds on the forest floor. Also, suppose that currently it takes an average of 2 minutes to find a cone and 4 minutes to find a fungus. It takes 10 minutes to break open the cone and eat the seeds and 1 minute to consume a fungus. On the average, all the seeds together contain 60 calories and each fungus contains 30 calories. 1. If the squirrel forages optimally, which of these two foods should it eat, assuming that seeds and fungi are both plentiful? Show calculations and explain logic. 2. Suppose, however, you find the squirrel eating the other food. What is one reason it might do so? Still assume that seeds and fungi are both plentiful."

Accepted Answer

"Let's look at the basic information... cone= 2 min find, 10min to open for 60 cal fungus= 4 min to find, 1min to eat for 30 cal 1. Let's look at the total amount of time it takes to get each source relative to the amount of calories obtained. cone= 60cal\/12min work = 5 cal\/min fungus= 30cal\/5min work = 6 cal\/min It is therefore more favorable to eat fungus because on average the squirrel receives 1 more calorie per minute of work 2. The reasons for the squirrel eating other food include a higher calorie content or a greater ease of consumption (they don't have to work for it as hard as that darn cone that takes 10 minutes to open or the fungus that takes 4 min to find)."

Why Choose Us?

0% AI Guarantee

24/7 Support

Plagiarism Free

Expert Tutors

100% Confidential

On-Time Delivery

Suppose a tree squirrel living in the conifer forests near La Grande eats seeds that it extracts from pine cones and fungi that it finds on the forest floor

Expert Solution

Archived Solution