Rock pocket mice with different color variations are observed in the desert regions of Arizona. The fur color of the mice helps
them blend in with their environment to avoid predators. There are black basaltic rocks in the southwest region of the desert. However, most of the desert regions have sand that is light brown in color. Which two statements are true about the population of mice in both regions? A. Black mice will be better adapted in the black basaltic rock regions.
B. Light brown mice will be better adapted in the black basaltic rock regions.
C. Black mice will be better adapted in the sandy regions of the desert.
D. Light brown mice will be better adapted in the sandy regions of the desert.
A. Black mice will be better adapted in the black basaltic rock regions.
D. Light brown mice will be better adapted in the sandy regions of the desert.
<u>Explanation</u>:
An organism is said to be better adapted to his environment if it possesses the traits that promote its survival in the given environmental conditions.
Since the fur color helps the mice to blend in their environment and escape the predator, the mice with the fur color matching the environment will be best suited for it.
Thus, in the black basaltic rock regions, mice with black fur will be better suited and in the sandy regions, light, colored mice will be better suited as they will blend easily in the environment.