Hibernating male ground squirrels emerge from their burrows before the females do,and before food is available.What important point does this fact demonstrate?

Question

Hibernating male ground squirrels emerge from their burrows before the females do,and before food is available.What important point does this fact demonstrate?​

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The fact that male ground squirrels emerge from their burrows before the females and before food is available demonstrates that their timing mechanisms are preparing them for future needs, specifically the need to establish territories and mate with females once they emerge from hibernation. This suggests that timing mechanisms serve an important adaptive function in animals.

Hibernating Male Ground Squirrels Emerge from Their Burrows Before the Females