Optimal Food Selection: Some Further Considerations with Special Reference to the Grazer-Hunter Distinction

Differences in feeding behavior of hunters and grazers are discussed. It is concluded that "organ grazing" (consumption of only part of a food item), is most commonly seen among grazing herbivores because they often experience high densities of food resources and their food items are easier to handle than those of predators. However, it is emphasized that there is no reason to believe that "organ grazing" is restricted to herbivores. This is supported by data on predators which experience high densities of their prey items. The overall conclusion is that the grazing and hunting strategies represent extreme cases of a general behavioral pattern of feeding.