Question

many scientists have believed that giraffes are solitary creatures, preferring to spend their time alone instead of with others. but observations of giraffes and their behavior in recent years has suggested that these animals may be more social than we once thought. for example, scientists zoe muller and stephen harris claim that giraffes may even help each other care for one another’s newborns.
which finding, if true, would most directly support muller and harris’s conclusion?
choose 1 answer:
a giraffes are able to make sounds but are rarely observed communicating with others.
b some female giraffes have been observed sniffing and licking their newborn offspring.
c confrontations between a younger and an older male giraffe are frequently observed.
d female giraffes have been observed feeding young giraffes that aren’t their direct offspring.

Explanation:

Muller and Harris's conclusion is that giraffes may be more social and help each other care for newborns. We analyze each option:

• Option A: Rare communication suggests less social behavior, weakens the conclusion.
• Option B: Caring for their own offspring doesn't show helping others, not supportive.
• Option C: Confrontations are aggressive, not related to social care, weakens.
• Option D: Female giraffes feeding non - direct offspring shows helping others care for newborns, directly supports the conclusion.

Answer:

D. Female giraffes have been observed feeding young giraffes that aren't their direct offspring.