What is one factor that influences how an animal obtains its food?

One factor that influences how an animal obtains its food is its physical environment. Here's why:

* Habitat: Animals living in different environments have adapted to their specific conditions. For example, a bird in a forest might have a beak suited for picking insects from trees, while a bird in a desert might have a beak for cracking seeds.

* Availability of Resources: The type of food available in an environment dictates how an animal will forage. A lion living on the savanna will hunt large prey, while a squirrel in a forest will gather nuts and seeds.

* Competition: The presence of other animals competing for the same food source can force an animal to adapt its foraging strategies. A smaller animal might hunt at night to avoid larger predators, or a bird might specialize in eating a particular type of insect to avoid competition.

So, the physical environment plays a crucial role in shaping an animal's feeding habits.