Question

in 1850 there was a large snowshoe rabbit population in manitoba, canada. over the years, the winter coloration (the color of the rabbits fur) of the surviving rabbit population changed. the graph shows the change in winter coloration of rabbits between 1850 to 2000. based on the data, we could hypothesize that
a the winters are longer in length
b the snowshoe rabbit has migrated to another area
c the amount of snow cover varied over the years
d more snowshoe rabbit predators have moved into manitoba

Explanation:

Snowshoe rabbits use fur color for camouflage (white in snow, gray without). The graph shows white and gray rabbit populations changing over time. Option A: Winter length doesn’t directly relate to fur color survival. Option B: Migration isn’t indicated by fur color shifts. Option C: Snow cover variation would affect camouflage—more snow favors white, less favors gray. The population changes in white/gray rabbits match snow cover changes. Option D: Predator increase would likely reduce overall population, not shift color ratios. So C is correct.

Answer:

C. the amount of snow cover varied over the years