Long handling time reduces a predator’s feeding efficiency because time spent pursuing, subduing, processing, or digesting one prey item is unavailable for locating and consuming others. Profitability falls as E/h decreases, even if the prey contains substantial energy. At high prey density, handling can become the limiting step and produce a saturating Holling type II functional response: encounter opportunities increase, but consumption approaches a maximum of roughly one item per handling-time unit. Camouflage usually improves approach success for the predator, group hunting can increase ca
Ref:
Ecology: Concepts and Applications, Molles, 9th Ed., Ch. 14