Bite, chew, and swallow

The processes of biting, chewing, and swallowing are analyzed using queuing theory. The probability distributions and the parameters (mean and varianc e) of these processes are derived. Various rules and limitations on the num ber of bites in the animals' mouth are analyzed. At any time, the number of bites in an animal's mouth is more sensitive to the rate at which the anim als bites, compared to the rate at which it swallows. The models are implem ented to data from two moose, browsing in captivity. The probability distri bution of the moose bite rate corresponds (equivocally) to Poisson. Even if animals do not follow the theoretical probability distributions las presen ted) of biting and chewing, the models developed can be used to test null h ypotheses about the process of food acquisition. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.