Question

Which of the following statements is correct?

A.There are birds and snakes onAntarctica, though snakes have been more successful because they have lower energetic requirements therefore can survive better in the long winter with limited food.
B.There are snakes in Antarctica but no birds, because snakes have a greater dispersal ability and were able to reach that continent.
C.There are birds onAntarctica but no snakes, largely because snakes are ectotherms and can't survive at the low temperatures found there.

Answer 1

The correct statement is C. Birds are able to survive in Antarctica due to their endothermic nature, while snakes are absent from the continent because they are ectotherms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement is C. There are birds on Antarctica but no snakes, largely because snakes are ectotherms and can't survive at the low temperatures found there.

Birds are endothermic, meaning they can regulate their internal temperature and are able to live in a wider range of climates compared to reptiles. This allows them to survive in the harsh conditions of Antarctica, where temperatures are extremely low.

On the other hand, snakes are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. They are not adapted to survive in the low temperatures of Antarctica, which is why they are absent from the continent.