Observational Learning and the Feeding Behavior of the Red Squirrel Tamiasciurus Hudsonicus: The Ontogeny of Optimization

The red squirrel is a food opportunist, exploiting the seed resources in many types of forest and possessing the capacity for learning new feeding techniques. Two groups of naive, individually isolated squirrels were presented with hickory nuts for the first time. One group could observe an experienced squirrel (Model) feeding. Comparisons of the metabolic cost of feeding. times, and techniques after 6 wk showed that the group with the Model expended half the time and energy used by other group while feeding and approached the Model in time and technique. The improved performance persisted after removal of the Model. While feeding techniques may develop by trial and error, observational learning (for example, from a parent or other conspecific) is more efficient in terms of energy and time and may be crucial to the safe and rapid exploitation of new foods and habitats.