A population of cottontail rabbits gives birth to an average of eight kits (baby rabbits) per litter, and it only has one predat
or. However, an average of only two kits per litter actually lives to maturity. Which of these might explain this low survival rate?
A) There is enough grass to feed up to nine kits per litter.
B) There is enough water in the region to support six kits per litter.
C) A population of birds lives nearby that does not prey on rabbits or eat their food.
D) A population of bobcats depends on these rabbits for food.
The correct answer is: D: A population of bobcats depends on these rabbits for food.
Explanation:
This answer can only be explained by taking into consideration the information that is being given by both the statements on the question and also the answering options. So basically, the answer depends on logic. The question statement says that from a normal number of around eight kits for cottontail rabbits, and with only one predator, only two of them actually reach maturity, which means that for some reason, the others die along the way. From the answer options, the only one that actually explains WHY these other six kits died before reaching maturity is the last one, as it establishes that bobcats, probably the one predator these cottontail rabbits have, lives nearby and depends on these little bunnies for food. The likelihood is that the bobcats ended up eating the other six kits.
