Foraging

Many animals forage in the soil, looking for food such as plants or smaller organisms.

Optimal Foraging Theory

The optimal foraging theory predicts how a foraging animal will behave when presented with a choice in its food. This theory takes into account not only the energy the organism receives from the food, but also the energy and time it costs to forage for the food. Animals was to receive the greatest benefit of energy while expending the least amount of their own time and energy.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S003140560470075X