Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) Biology Practice Test

How can adaptation improve an animal's chances of evading its prey?

1. By increasing its size to intimidate predators.

2. By developing the ability to camouflage and hide from predators.

3. By adapting to a nocturnal lifestyle to avoid daytime threats.

4. By depending on faster speed during predatory attacks.

The correct answer is: By developing the ability to camouflage and hide from predators.

The choice of developing the ability to camouflage and hide from predators is a prime example of adaptation that enhances an animal's survival. Camouflage allows animals to blend into their environment, making it difficult for predators to spot them. This strategy helps them avoid detection, thereby reducing the likelihood of being hunted. Animals that successfully camouflage themselves can lie in wait without alerting predators to their presence, increasing their chances of evasion significantly. While size might intimidate some predators, it is not a reliable adaptation for evasion since being larger can also make an animal more noticeable. Adopting a nocturnal lifestyle can be effective against daytime predators, but it does not universally apply to all animals. Speed is crucial in active evasion scenarios, but it does not address situations where stealth and concealment are more advantageous in avoiding predation. Therefore, the ability to camouflage directly enhances the chances of evasion by allowing animals to remain undetected in their habitats.