Final answer:
Protective coloration is an adaptation that enables organisms to hide from predators, often achieved through camouflage or Batesian mimicry. An experiment could test this by comparing predation rates on differently colored snails in various environments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The statement that best describes protective coloration is d) Coloration that helps an organism hide in its environment. Protective coloration is an adaptation that various species have evolved to avoid predation. One way that organisms achieve this is through camouflage, which allows them to blend in with their surroundings, making it harder for predators to spot them. Another method is through Batesian mimicry, where a harmless species mimics the warning coloration of a harmful species. This adaptation provides them with a survival advantage because predators may mistake them for the harmful species and thus avoid attacking them.
For an experimental design to test this hypothesis, one might compare the predation rates of snails with different types of shell coloration when placed in their native region versus a region occupied by a different type of snail with contrasting coloration. This would help to determine if the snail's coloration indeed functions as an effective form of camouflage in its native environment.