Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
1
B
M
300
600
900
1200
1500
1800
Joules of energy
2
B
M
1000
2000
3000
4000
5000
6000
Distance travelled; running or flying
3
B
FIG 4.4
Comparisons of energy
consumption between birds (B) and
mammals (M). 1. The amount of
energy used during 10 minutes of
locomotion. 2. The distance covered
during 10 minutes of flying or
running. 3. The distance of travel for a
given amount of energy (500 joules).
M
500
1000
1500
2000
2500
Distance travelled; running or flying
predation. Conversely, if they consistently outperformed the predators,
hunters would starve to death due to lack of success. It would seem that
nature has ensured an interdependent balance between species in which
stamina and speed are important factors in the survival of both prey and
predators.
For a number of animals, endurance plays an important part beyond
hunting. Migration is a periodic movement that sometimes entails travel
across great distances, requiring a great deal of energy and therefore energy
consumption. Wildebeests and zebras cross huge distances on their annual
migrations, which demands continuous energy consumption. Smaller
