Final answer:
Habitat destruction is the factor that most likely contributed to the extinction of native animal species when humans began growing crops, due to the conversion of natural areas into farmland.
Step-by-step explanation:
When humans first began to grow crops, the factor that most likely contributed to the extinction of native animal species was c . Habitat destruction . The conversion of natural ecosystems into farmland often leads to the displacement or destruction of the habitats that native species depend on for survival. As human populations grew, the demands for land, food, and resources increased, accelerating the destruction of habitat and contributing to the decline in biodiversity. Additionally, over time, other factors such as pollution , introduction of exotic species , and anthropogenic climate change have also played significant roles in affecting native species, but the immediate impact when agriculture began was primarily due to habitat destruction.