What Probably Explains Why Coastal and Inland Garter Snakes React

question 65

Multiple Choice

What probably explains why coastal and inland garter snakes react differently to banana slug prey?

• A) Ancestors of coastal snakes that could eat the abundant banana slugs had increased fitness. No such selection occurred inland, where banana slugs were absent.
• B) Banana slugs are camouflaged, and inland snakes, which have poorer vision than coastal snakes, are less able to see them.
• C) Garter snakes learn about prey from other garter snakes. Inland garter snakes have fewer types of prey because they are less social.
• D) Inland banana slugs are distasteful, so inland snakes learn to avoid them. Coastal banana slugs are palatable to garter snakes.
• E) Garter snakes learn to eat what their mother eats. Coastal snake mothers happened to prefer slugs.