Question

why is the mouse population changing over time? images showing mice and hawks, with text: some mice are eaten by birds; mice reproduce, giving next generation options: the light mice can reproduce more successfully than the dark mice; the hawks eat more light mice than dark mice because they can see the light mice more easily; the hawks eat more dark mice than light mice because the dark mice taste better; the hawks eat more dark mice than light mice because they can see the dark mice more easily

Explanation:

To determine why the mouse population is changing, we analyze the images and options. The first image shows more light mice initially, then fewer light mice and more dark mice over time. Hawks are predators; on a dark background, dark mice are camouflaged, while light mice are more visible. So hawks would eat more light - colored mice (since they are easier to see), leading to more dark mice surviving and reproducing. Option A is incorrect as dark mice are camouflaged. Option B is incorrect as taste is not a factor here. Option D is incorrect as the change is due to predation, not reproduction rates of light vs dark mice. Option C correctly states that hawks eat more light mice because they can see them more easily.

Answer:

C. The hawks eat more light mice than dark mice because they can see the light mice more easily