If a rat population that lives in a cold northern tundra climate was moved to the desert, where temperatures are much warmer, and then allowed to evolve for many generations, which of the following hypothetical adaptations would be most likely to aid the rats with getting and staying cool?

a. A darker skin color that absorbs more sunlight

b. A reduction in the number of sweat glands

c. A larger body size

d. A smaller body size

Question

Biology

Karina Petersen

4 March, 13:34

If a rat population that lives in a cold northern tundra climate was moved to the desert, where temperatures are much warmer, and then allowed to evolve for many generations, which of the following hypothetical adaptations would be most likely to aid the rats with getting and staying cool?

a. A darker skin color that absorbs more sunlight

b. A reduction in the number of sweat glands

c. A larger body size

d. A smaller body size

+3

Answers (1)

Know the Answer?

Camille Key · Answer 1

d. A smaller body size

Explanation:

The smaller a body size is the larger the body surface area is. Larger body surface area would allow for increase in lost of more excess heat to the environment.

Therefore, hypothetically, one of the obvious adaptation that would be evolved by the rat population that was moved from their previous cold northern tundra climate to a desert environment is a smaller body size. This would enable them in cooling off and preventing over-heating.