Rabbits are very popular domesticated animals, so popular that there are over 300 breeds of domesticated rabbits in the world. You attend a rabbit show and notice that all of the breeds vary in many characteristics, such as size, color, and fur length. You notice that there is weight information on the cages of all rabbit individuals at the show and decide to jot down data for two specific rabbit breeds (in pounds):
Breed A: 10, 8, 7, 10, 9, 9, 10, 9
Breed B: 10, 12, 14, 13, 10, 15, 11, 12
In three to five sentences, 1) calculate the average weights of the two rabbit breed groups, 2) describe some factors that could contribute to the different weights seen within breeds, and 3) describe how you would track and find the growth rate of the two rabbit breeds during an investigation.
1) The average weight of Breed A is (10+8+7+10+9+9+10+9)/8 = 9 pounds, while the average weight of Breed B is (10+12+14+13+10+15+11+12)/8 = 12.25 pounds.
2) Factors that could contribute to the different weights seen within breeds include genetics, nutrition, exercise, and overall health. Different breeds may have different genetic predispositions to certain sizes or body types, which can affect weight. Additionally, variations in diet and exercise can impact weight gain or loss within a breed.
3) To track and find the growth rate of the two rabbit breeds during an investigation, you would need to record their weights at different time points. Start by measuring the weight of each rabbit breed at a specific age (e.g., 3 months old). Then, repeat the measurements at regular intervals (e.g., every month) and record the weights. By calculating the differences in weight between each time point, you can determine the growth rate for each breed over time.