Evidence for optimal behavior of predators from parallel field investigations in two distinct wolf-prey systems

Abstract

Animals behave optimally when they minimize their costs while maximizing their energetic gain. Optimal foraging theory predicts that with decreasing resource abundance, animals will increase 1) niche breadth, 2) territory size and movement distance, and 3) time spent at resource patches. We test these predictions by investigating clusters from GPS collared wolves (Canis lupus) in two predator populations with marked differences in their prey composition and abundance. As expected, wolves in a less abundant system increase niche breadth, territory size, step lengths, and time spent at each kill. Our work provides evidence of optimal behavior in an apex predator which can support population resilience across changing landscapes.