Which of the following is least like the others?

a. bear

b. elephant

c. badger

d. hamster

Hamsters are rodents; the others are mammals.

To determine which of the four options is least like the others, we can analyze their characteristics:

Option a. bear: Bears are large carnivorous mammals found in various parts of the world. They have a heavy build, long snouts, and are known for their strength.

Option b. elephant: Elephants are massive herbivorous mammals with long trunks and large ears. They are known for their size and distinctive physical features.

Option c. badger: Badgers are small mammals with stout bodies, short legs, and strong claws. They are known for their digging abilities and live in underground burrows.

Option d. hamster: Hamsters are small rodents often kept as pets. They have a compact body, short tail, and are known for their cheek pouches that they use to carry and store food.

Out of these options, the least like the others is the elephant (option b) because it is much larger than the rest, while the bear, badger, and hamster are relatively similar in size.

To determine which of the options is least like the others, we need to compare their characteristics and identify the one that stands out. Let's examine the options:

a. bear: Bears are large mammals found in various habitats. They have fur, are typically omnivorous, and belong to the family Ursidae.

b. elephant: Elephants are the largest land animals and are known for their long trunks, large ears, and tusks. They belong to the family Elephantidae.

c. badger: Badgers are small mammals with stocky bodies and short legs. They have distinctive markings on their face and belong to the family Mustelidae.

d. hamster: Hamsters are small rodents commonly kept as pets. They have a short tail, chubby bodies, and belong to the subfamily Cricetinae.

By comparing the options, we can see that the odd one out is elephant. The elephant is the only option that is not a carnivore or part of the Mustelidae family. Therefore, the answer is b. elephant.