What physiological classification describes the white-tailed deer's survival strategy based on food selection?
Answer
Concentrate selector
The white-tailed deer is classified as a concentrate selector because its survival strategy relies on efficiently identifying and consuming nutrient-dense, easily digestible parts of plants. This means they prioritize high-quality energy sources like fats, oils, and proteins over consuming large volumes of low-quality, high-fiber material. This is supported by their anatomy, specifically their relatively small digestive systems when compared to bulk feeders like cattle, and features like a narrow snout and prehensile tongue designed for delicate picking rather than tearing off coarse grasses.
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