Final answer:
A white rabbit camouflaging in snow is an example of an adaptation due to natural selection, where white fur is a trait that enhances survival, leading to its prevalence in snowy environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The white rabbit living in an environment covered in snow and being able to camouflage in its surroundings is an example of adaptation. However, the reason this adaptation is present in the population is due to natural selection. Imagine, in the Arctic, how a rabbit with dark fur would be easy to spot against the snow by predators like foxes. White fur, conversely, provides camouflage and improves the rabbit's chances of survival and passing on its genetic trait to the offspring. Over time, rabbits with dark fur become less common due to this selective pressure, and those with white fur become the norm, showing the process of natural selection at work.
In a hypothetical population where different colorations help rabbits blend into different environments, such as gray and Himalayan rabbits in rocky terrains, this too would be a result of natural selection leading to different adaptations. Moreover, natural selection can lead to various adaptations, such as better running speed, as it favors individuals with traits beneficial to survival and reproduction.
Finally, the survival of the white rabbit against predators due to its white fur in snowy environments is an example of how camouflage is an adaptation that gives these animals a survival advantage. In contrast, differential survival of rabbits based on fur color can lead to genetic drift in a population. Across all these examples, the underlying mechanism is natural selection, which inevitably results in the prevalence of advantageous traits, such as the white fur of the rabbit in snowy environments.