Question

Elephants are considered K-strategists because they give birth to only one calf at a time and most have five years in between having another calf. Calves stay under the protection of the mother and her herd until maturity at 10-15 years of age. What type of survivorship curve do elephants tend to follow

Answer 1

Type I curve

Step-by-step explanation:

The K-strategist are species characterized by relatively stable populations that fluctuate at the carrying capacity of the habitat or niche in which organisms reside. Elephants are considered as K-strategists because they have a low population growth rate and relatively stable populations. There are three different types of survivorship curves. The Type I curve (also referred to as A curve) is characteristic of k-strategist organisms. Humans and elephants exhibit a Type I survivorship curve in which organisms tend to die when they become elderly. These species have a small number of offspring and provide parental care to ensure their survival. In a Type II survivorship curve, species produce many offspring and only some offspring survive (e.g., birds), while in Type III survivorship curve organisms produce many more offspring and most do not survive (i.e., r-strategists such as frogs or insects).