Does "forage on" mean "feed on" or "eat" in this case?

[JACEK1]

Hello everybody!

Here is the sentence I found on BBC World service the other day.

"For example, moose prefer successional forests where there are young trees that they can forage on.

Does bolded "forage on" mean "feed on" or "eat" in this case?

Thank you.

 

[SoothingDave]

Re: Does "forage on" mean "feed on" or "eat" in this case?

Can you feed on something without eating?

 

[JACEK1]

Re: Does "forage on" mean "feed on" or "eat" in this case?

I don't understand. Please tell me the real meaning.

 

[SoothingDave]

Re: Does "forage on" mean "feed on" or "eat" in this case?

I don't understand the distinction you are trying to make. Between "feed" and "eat." When an animal does one, he does the other.

 

[JACEK1]

Re: Does "forage on" mean "feed on" or "eat" in this case?

You are right. This means that you confim that "forage on" means "eat", doesn't it?

 

[SoothingDave]

Re: Does "forage on" mean "feed on" or "eat" in this case?

"Forage" means to search for something to eat. I'm not sure the original sentence used "forage" correctly, but the idea is understood. Yes, they eat or feed on the young trees.

 

[JACEK1]

Re: Does "forage on" mean "feed on" or "eat" in this case?

http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-30886952

If bbc etc. is mentioned, it must have been written properly.

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: Does "forage on" mean "feed on" or "eat" in this case?

You cannot take that for granted. Those who write for the BBC can make mistakes just like the rest of us.

I take it to mean that the moose eat the leaves of the young trees.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Re: Does "forage on" mean "feed on" or "eat" in this case?

The word "forage" means to search for food. The phrase "forage on" often refers to herbivores eating what they have found.