Question

most deer mouse populations inhabit regions with dark soils. these deer mice have dark brown fur. populations of deer mice found in the sand hills regions of nebraska, which has tan colored sand instead of dark soil, have tan fur. which statement best explains why the sand hills population of deer mice have tan fur, rather than the dark brown fur found in other populations of deer mice?
a. tan fur helps the mice protect themselves from predators.
b. tan fur helps the mice see each other more easily.
c. tan fur helps the mice find food more easily in the dark.
d. tan fur helps the mice move faster when the sand is hot.

Explanation:

This question is about the adaptation of deer mice. In the Sand Hills of Nebraska with tan - colored sand (instead of dark soil), tan fur provides camouflage. Camouflage helps animals protect themselves from predators. Options B (fur color helping mice see each other) and C (fur color helping find food) are not relevant to the color - environment relationship. Option D (fur color affecting movement speed due to sand heat) is also not related to the main concept of camouflage for predator protection.

Answer:

A. Tan fur helps the mice protect themselves from predators.