What probably explains why coastal and inland garter snakes react differently to banana slug prey?
A) Ancestors of coastal snakes that could eat the abundant banana slugs had increased fitness. No such selection occurred inland, where banana slugs were absent.
B) Banana slugs are camouflaged, and inland snakes, which have poorer vision than coastal snakes, are less able to see them.
C) Garter snakes learn about prey from other garter snakes. Inland garter snakes have fewer types of prey because they are less social.
D) Inland banana slugs are distasteful, so inland snakes learn to avoid them. Coastal banana slugs are palatable to garter snakes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that coastal garter snakes have a higher proportion of banana slugs in their diet suggests that there has been selection for the ability to eat this prey, leading to increased fitness for snakes that could exploit this resource. There has been no such selection inland, where banana slugs are not present.

What Probably Explains Why Coastal and Inland Garter Snakes React