Many mammals are food specialists, with complex adaptations that gear them toward a particular food source. So how do the omnivores survive and prosper without these fancy evolutionary features? This free course, Studying mammals: The opportunists, examines the physiology, diet and strategies of some of these opportunistic feeders. It is the sixth course in the Studying mammals series.
Overview
Syllabus
- Introduction
- Learning outcomes
- 1 The omnivores
- 1 The omnivores
- 2 The ecology of mammals
- 2 The ecology of mammals
- 2.1 Trophic levels
- 2.2 Energy flow in ecosystems
- 2.3 Food chains and food webs
- 3 Is specialisation always advantageous?
- 3 Is specialisation always advantageous?
- 4 The bear necessities
- 4 The bear necessities
- 4.1 The grizzly bear
- 4.2 Other members of the bear family
- 5 Miss Piggy
- 5 Miss Piggy
- 6 The good family Procyonidae
- 6 The good family Procyonidae
- 7 Of rats and men
- 7 Of rats and men
- 8 What makes a successful omnivore?
- 8 What makes a successful omnivore?
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgements
