In 3 sentences Imagine you are a scientist observing rats in the wild. As the rats reproduce, rats born with white fur slowly begin to outnumber rats with black fur. In three to five sentences, provide two or more different explanations of why the rats with white fur might be outnumbering the rats with black fur.(4 points)
One possible explanation for the increasing prevalence of white fur among the rat population could be a genetic advantage in terms of camouflage in their environment. If the habitat of these rats is predominantly snowy or light-colored, rats with white fur may have a higher likelihood of survival due to their ability to blend in and avoid predators. Another explanation could be sexual selection, with white fur being perceived as more attractive or desirable by potential mates, leading to a higher reproductive success for rats with this trait. Additionally, there could be environmental factors at play, such as increased predation pressure on black-furred rats or changes in food availability favoring white-furred individuals.
