Question

Why would it be helpful for specifically nocturnal animals to be able to move their ears? (mark all that are correct)

a. to cool down in hot weather
b. sense where a threat may be located
c. find prey

Answer 1

Nocturnal animals benefit from the ability to move their ears mainly for enhanced hearing to locate prey and sense threats in low visibility conditions. Indirectly, it can also contribute to body temperature regulation by facilitating nighttime activity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Specifically for nocturnal animals, the ability to move their ears can be very beneficial for multiple reasons. Primarily, it helps them with locating and hunting prey in the darkness, as a good sense of hearing is more critical at night when visibility is low. These animals can detect sounds from their prey and accurately pinpoint their location. Moreover, the ability to move their ears helps them sense potential threats, thereby increasing their chances of survival.

While regulating body temperature such as cooling down in hot weather is crucial for animals, the context of ear movement for this purpose isn't as directly applicable as for auditory reasons. However, ear movement may indirectly affect temperature regulation by allowing the animal to be more active during cooler night temperatures without overheating.