Which of the Following Best Explains Why Coastal and Inland

question 6

Multiple Choice

Which of the following best explains why coastal and inland garter snakes react differently to banana slug prey?

• A) Ancestors of coastal snakes that could detect and 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 acceptable prey from other garter snakes. Inland garter snakes are less social and so learn about fewer types of prey.
• D) Coastal banana slugs are palatable to garter snakes. Inland banana slugs are distasteful, so inland snakes learn to avoid them.