Question

The wooly mammoth and the modern-day elephant share a common ancestor. Mammoths were large mammals that lived in cold areas. They were protected by thick layers of fur. What adaptations enabled elephants to evolve and survive in today’s climate?

They don’t have fur to regulate their body temperature.
They have bigger ears to prevent overheating.
They are more aggressive.
They have a carnivorous diet.
They know how to swim.
Pick all the correct answers.

Answer 1

Elephants have adapted to warmer climates by losing fur for better temperature regulation, developing larger ears for heat dispersion, and retaining the ability to swim to cool down and traverse various terrains.

Step-by-step explanation:

The adaptations that enabled elephants to evolve and survive in today's climate, compared to their common ancestor with the wooly mammoth, include several important physical changes. Notably, modern-day elephants do not have fur to regulate their body temperature, allowing them to release heat more efficiently in warmer climates. Additionally, they have evolved larger ears which they can flap to help dissipate excess heat and prevent overheating. Elephants' ability to swim is also an adaptation that can help them cool down and travel through different types of environments. The other options mentioned, such as a more aggressive nature or a carnivorous diet, are not known adaptations that have helped elephants survive in contemporary climates.

Answer 2

The answer is

They don’t have fur to regulate their body temperature.

They have bigger ears to prevent overheating.

They know how to swim.

Step-by-step explanation:

Elephants lost their fur because they live in warmer climates and instead have larger ears to regulate their body temperature. They are excellent swimmers too.