Foraging behaviour of Galápagos Sea Lions

Foraging behaviour in Galápagos sea lions

Studying foraging behaviour is key to understanding the ecology of a species, population and even individuals. Achieving balance between energy expenditure and intake during foraging is crucial for an individual’s fitness and allocation of resources towards survival and reproduction. Within a species and even on a population level a range of diverse foraging strategies can arise, as is the case for Galapagos sea lion (Zalophus wollebaeki). The project focuses on both the causes as well as the consequences of this individualized foraging behaviour. By using biologging devices that record GPS locations in addition to a wide range of dive parameters, we aim to understand both how this behavioural polymorphism arises in the first place as well as how it develops over time. Further, we want to gain insight in how environmental conditions along with an animal’s personality and life history affect their foraging behaviour. Through this, we want to gain a deeper understanding for the species as well as how they might adapt to future challenges.