Final answer:
Optimal foraging theory (OFT) primarily revolves around decisions on which food to eat, aiming to maximize energy gain and minimize energy spent. It is shaped by natural selection and based on an animal's nutritional strategies within its habitat.
Step-by-step explanation:
Optimal foraging theory (OFT) involves decisions related to several aspects of an animal's behavior when it comes to feeding. The primary focus is on how an animal chooses which food to eat based on the principles of maximizing energy gain and minimizing energy expenditure. These foraging strategies are shaped by natural selection and are critical for the survival and reproductive success of animals. For example, the painted stork uses its long beak to forage for crabs and other food at the bottom of marshlands, efficiently exploiting food resources.
An organism's foraging behaviors are influenced by its nutritional strategies, which are largely determined by its nutritional requirements and habitat type. In essence, once an organism's dietary needs and habitat are known, it is relatively easy to predict its foraging behavior, whether that organism is a solitary predator or a member of a social group.