What behavior related to surplus food consumption helps weasels survive leaner periods or feed kits?
Answer
Caching surplus food near their dens
Given the weasel's intense caloric requirement and the potential for short periods where successful hunting is impossible or prey is sparse, securing reserves is vital for long-term survival, especially when caring for young kits. This necessity drives the behavior of caching, where uneaten portions of a large kill are stored securely near their den site. This reliable larder acts as an essential buffer against unavoidable lean times, ensuring they can maintain their high metabolic rate even when immediate food acquisition is unsuccessful for a brief period.
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