7. White fur and brown fur.
8. White fur provides camouflage in the snowy arctic environment, making rabbits harder for predators to spot, while brown fur stands out against snow, making those rabbits easier targets.
9. Predators are more likely to catch and eat the brown-furred rabbits because they are more visible. The white-furred rabbits survive and reproduce more often, passing their white fur trait to offspring.
10. Over time, the population becomes mostly or entirely white-furred rabbits as the advantageous trait becomes more common.
Natural selection, in a nutshell:
- Giraffes: The giraffe with the longest neck can reach higher leaves, giving it a survival advantage. It is more likely to live and reproduce, passing on the long-neck trait. This is natural selection because a heritable trait (neck length) affects survival and reproduction in a specific environment.
- Beetles: Birds prefer to eat green beetles, so orange beetles survive and reproduce more. The frequency of the orange color trait increases in the population over generations. This is natural selection because a heritable trait (color) influences survival based on predator preference.
- Finches: Different beak shapes are suited for different food sources. In environments where certain foods are abundant, finches with matching beak shapes survive and reproduce better. This is natural selection because heritable beak variations lead to differential survival and reproduction based on available resources.
- Chameleon: The chameleon’s green color matches its leafy environment, helping it avoid predators. This camouflage trait increases its chances of survival and reproduction. This is natural selection because a heritable trait (coloration) enhances survival by providing concealment from predators.
Parent Tip: Review the logic above to help your child master the concept of evolution natural selection worksheet.
