Question

A population of white rabbits and brown rabbits both live in a temperate deciduous forest where the summers are mild and average about 50°f. The winters are often below freezing. If warmer temperatures last longer into the fall and the average temperature in the winter is getting warmer?

Answer 1

Answer:

Q: ...what do you expect to happen to the population of each color of rabbit?

A: The white rabbit population may slowly die off while the brown rabbit population thrives and reproduces.

Explanation:

The white rabbits are well adapted to survival in cold winter months and snowfall, where they may camouflage effectively to avoid predation. However, the brown rabbits, more adapted to warmer periods in the fall, spring and summer in the temperate deciduous forest; the trees lose their leaves before cold seasons.

Leaf litter and foliage in warmer months likely provides better camouflage for brown rabbits. Camouflage is an adaptation to predation; the rabbits blend into surrounding colors, textures and patterns to avoid detection.  In the onset of shorter winters, the white rabbits will be unable to avoid predators without snow to blend into; they would contrast with their surroundings making them easy targets to be hunted. Thus, with extended periods of warm temperatures, brown rabbits are more likely to survive and reproduce leading to a thriving population.