Both farming and foraging were important aspects of the Mayan economy, but the balance between the two varied depending on the region and the time period. Maize, beans, squash, and chili peppers were the main crops cultivated by the Mayans, and they also grew cotton and cacao. In some areas, the Mayans also practiced slash-and-burn agriculture, clearing small plots of land and planting crops until the soil was exhausted, then moving on to a new plot. In addition to farming, the Mayans hunted animals such as deer, rabbits, and birds, and they also foraged for fruits, nuts, and other wild plants.