What does the need for constant foraging imply about the nutrition of grasses and reeds?
Answer
The nutritional density of these primary food sources is relatively low
The necessity for water voles to maintain nearly constant feeding activity throughout periods of plenty, consuming up to 80% of their body weight daily, strongly indicates that the food they are eating does not offer a high caloric return per bite. This requirement for sheer volume suggests that the nutritional density of their staple summer foods, such as grasses and reeds, is relatively low. To meet their substantial energy demands, they must process massive quantities of this fibrous material continuously, underscoring the importance of having secure resting spots (burrows) immediately accessible between extended feeding bouts.
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