A Heron, a Large Wading Bird, Is Hunting in a Pond

Multiple Choice

A heron, a large wading bird, is hunting in a pond that contains three types of prey: fish, frogs, and snakes. All three types of prey are abundant and provide the same amount of energy to the heron. The heron has the highest handling time capturing fish, an intermediate handling time capturing snakes, and the lowest handling time capturing frogs. What prey item would foraging theory predict that the heron should catch most frequently?

A) fish
B) snakes
C) frogs
D) fish and frogs equally frequently