Why did horses develop longer-lasting teeth over time?
A.The environment became drier.
B.They evolved from carnivores to herbivores.
C.The diversity of vegetation increased.
D. The horse developed a longer muzzle
I think its A idk though
The correct answer is C. The diversity of vegetation increased. As horses evolved from small browsing animals to larger grazing animals, they needed longer-lasting teeth to cope with the tougher, more abrasive vegetation they were consuming.
The correct answer is C. The diversity of vegetation increased. Horses developed longer-lasting teeth over time in response to the changing vegetation. As the diversity of vegetation increased, horses needed teeth that could withstand the grinding required to process tougher plant material. This led to the development of longer-lasting teeth in order to adapt to their changing diet.
To determine the correct answer, we need to analyze each option and consider the evolutionary factors involved.
A. The environment becoming drier: While changes in the environment can influence the evolution of certain traits, there is no direct correlation between tooth durability and the dryness of the environment. This option is unlikely to be the correct answer.
B. Horses evolved from carnivores to herbivores: This statement is incorrect. Horses have always been herbivorous, even in their early evolutionary history. Therefore, this option is not the correct answer.
C. The diversity of vegetation increased: This option is a plausible explanation for the development of longer-lasting teeth in horses. As the diversity of vegetation expanded, horses would have had to adapt to consuming a wider range of plant materials. Longer-lasting teeth would have been advantageous for processing and grinding tough, fibrous plant matter. Thus, this option could be the correct answer.
D. The horse developed a longer muzzle: The length of the horse's muzzle is not directly related to tooth durability. While a longer muzzle might provide some benefits for reaching and grazing on vegetation, it is not the primary factor affecting tooth longevity. Therefore, this option is unlikely to be the correct answer.
After considering the above explanations, it is reasonable to conclude that option C, the diversity of vegetation increasing, is the most likely reason why horses developed longer-lasting teeth over time.