My main research activities involve getting into things, running around like a maniac, and barking my head off. I use these techniques to address several questions of fundamental importance to foraging theory:
- Rotting invertebrates produce more noxious smells than rotting seaweed, but are much less common. However, coating oneself with either odor takes valuable time away from chasing gulls. What is the optimal strategy for finding and rolling in these patches?
- Owner food is much tastier than dog chow, but entails certain risks. How can I get the bowl off the counter without making any noise?
- Squirrels and magpies are interesting, but rest on branches too high for a dog to reach. Is it possible, if vocal stimuli are made often and loud enough, to actually sonically push these prey items off their perches?
Most of my work is done with Brian Penney, with
whom I have worked at the University of Alberta, Bamfield, B.C., and on the New
Hampshire Seacoast For a variety of reasons, I am not currently accepting
applications for new graduate students.
However, if your lab or family unit has space for more
"collaborators," I encourage you to visit your local SPCA (Edmonton, New Hampshire). You'll be happy you did.