Chapter 30, Problem 23A

Summary Introduction

To write:

The ideal adaptation of a mammal that lives in 1-m deep marsh water, much underwater vegetation, and predatory snakes.

Introduction:

Adaptation is the process of changes that a plant or animal undergoes to survive better in its surroundings. Adaptations help organisms to increase their chances of survival in harsh or changing environments.

Explanation of Solution

A mammal living in 1-m deep marsh water will develop features close to those of aquatic animals. The feet of such a mammal will modify into webbed feet and sharp claws to facilitate swimming and movement in the water. The skin of such a mammal will develop small scales and hard shells to survive in the saline water.

The animal lives 1m deep in water, which is the photic zone. The presence of planktons in the photic zone is high. Therefore, it is mostly dependent on these planktons for food and would hence be an herbivore. The prey of predatory snakes is generally herbivorous in nature.

It is given that marshes had predatory snakes, the mammal will develop features which will help it to camouflage and not be visible to its predators. It will be dark in color to not be visible to the predator and to match with the color of the shore that it would be living close to. The mammal may become green in color to camouflage in the vegetation and save itself from the surroundings. The mammal may develop scaly skin to hide itself in the scaly leaves of the marshes.