Question

question 11 of 25
sea turtles spend their lives in the ocean. they only come on land to lay their eggs in nests in the sand. sea turtle eggs that develop below 27.7°c will be born male. those that develop above 31°c will be female. if they develop between the two temperatures, they may be born male or female.
the beach where the turtles lay their eggs is likely to become warmer on average due to long - term climate change. what change in the population is likely to be caused by the climate change?
a. the population will have more male turtles than female turtles.
b. the population will have more female turtles than male turtles.
c. the females in the population will stop building nests on the beach.
d. the males in the population will expand their geographic range.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze temperature effect on turtle gender

Sea turtle eggs below \(27.7^{\circ}C\) → male. Above \(31^{\circ}C\) → female.

Step2: Consider climate - change impact

Beach (where eggs develop) gets warmer. So more eggs will be above \(31^{\circ}C\).

Step3: Determine population change

Since more eggs above \(31^{\circ}C\) (female - producing temperature), population will have more female turtles.

Answer:

B. The population will have more female turtles than male turtles.