Question

select the best evidence to support the statement
ocky river bottoms are vital to the eastern hellbenders lifecycle.\ there may be more than one correct choice.

the eastern hellbender, a mottled and wrinkly salamander, can reach unexpected sizes but remains hidden to most visitors to north carolinas pisgah national forest. \even though they are these giant salamanders, they blend right into the bottom,\ said jeff humphries, a wildlife biologist with the north carolina wildlife resources commission. \people often float right over top of two - foot salamanders and never notice.\

this nocturnal amphibian often hides under the same rock for its entire adult life span—up to thirty years—emerging at night to feed largely on crayfish. in recent efforts, forest service biologists who manage these waters have reached out to educate the thousands of people who enjoy the same streams while swimming, tubing, and boating. these same recreationists unknowingly disturb and destroy hellbender habitat.

adapted from u.s. forest service, \an amphibian only a mother (or biologist) could love needs your attention\

Explanation:

To support the statement, we look for evidence showing the importance of rocky river bottoms to Eastern hellbenders. The sentence "This nocturnal amphibian often hides under the same rock for its entire adult life span—up to thirty years—emerging at night to feed largely on crayfish" shows that hellbenders rely on rocks (rocky river bottoms) for shelter throughout their adult life, highlighting the vital role of rocky river bottoms in their lifecycle. Another piece is "These same recreationists unknowingly disturb and destroy hellbender habitat" as it implies that the rocky river bottom (their habitat) is essential and its destruction is harmful. Also, the quote about them blending into the bottom shows their reliance on the rocky river bottom for camouflage, which is part of their survival in the lifecycle.

Answer:

• "This nocturnal amphibian often hides under the same rock for its entire adult life span—up to thirty years—emerging at night to feed largely on crayfish."
• "These same recreationists unknowingly disturb and destroy hellbender habitat."
• "Even though they are these giant salamanders, they blend right into the bottom," said Jeff Humphries... "People often float right over top of two - foot salamanders and never notice."