Question

Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Releasing non-native animals into the wild upsets the food chains of native species. The tegu lizard has been introduced into the Florida Everglades and is destroying the environment. The lizard will eat anything that crosses its path, including small mammals, birds, insects, plants, and eggs, leaving animals of this ecosystem in danger. If all parts of the environment are on the tegu’s menu, then all animals in the habitat are at risk of extinction. For this reason, anyone caught releasing non-native animals into the wild should be penalized with a significant fine.

How does the author support the claim that people who release non-native animals into the wild should be punished?

(1 point)

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

The author supports the claim by explaining how releasing non-native animals disrupts the food chains of native species, using the example of the tegu lizard in the Florida Everglades. The author describes how the tegu lizard preys on various animals and plants in the habitat, putting the entire ecosystem at risk of extinction. This evidence shows the negative impact that releasing non-native animals can have on the environment and supports the need for penalties for those who engage in this activity.