Snowshoe hares have an interesting adaptation that helps protect them against predators. Depending on the season, their fur can be a different color. During the winter, snowshoe hares are white, which helps them blend in with the snow. When the seasons change to spring and summer, snowshoe hares turn a gray-brown. This color helps them camouflage with dirt and rocks. The hind legs of a snowshoe hare are large and have more fur and larger toes than those of other rabbits or hares. These adaptations provide additional surface area and support for walking on snow. For many years most of the rabbits that lived in the cold, snowy countryside of Canada were white. Recently, scientists have noticed that many of the white rabbits in the countryside have been replaced by gray rabbits. What environmental change(s) could have contributed to the change in the rabbits' fur color over the last 150 years? (1 point) Responses

Question

Snowshoe hares have an interesting adaptation that helps protect them against predators. Depending on the season, their fur can be a different color. During the winter, snowshoe hares are white, which helps them blend in with the snow. When the seasons change to spring and summer, snowshoe hares turn a gray-brown. This color helps them camouflage with dirt and rocks. The hind legs of a snowshoe hare are large and have more fur and larger toes than those of other rabbits or hares. These adaptations provide additional surface area and support for walking on snow. For many years most of the rabbits that lived in the cold, snowy countryside of Canada were white. Recently, scientists have noticed that many of the white rabbits in the countryside have been replaced by gray rabbits. What environmental change(s) could have contributed to the change in the rabbits' fur color over the last 150 years? (1 point) Responses

A.global cooling global cooling
B.longer winters in the area longer winters in the area
C.a warming climate and less snowfall a warming climate and less snowfall
D.an increase in environmental pollution

Answer 1

C. a warming climate and less snowfall

This change in the rabbits' fur color could be attributed to a warming climate and less snowfall in the area. With less snow covering the ground, the white fur of the snowshoe hares would no longer provide them with the same level of camouflage, making the gray-brown fur more advantageous for survival.