Certified Wildlife Rehabilitator Practice Test

How does adaptive behavior affect wildlife?

1. Decreases survival rates

2. Improves reproductive success

3. Limits habitat range

4. Enhances competitive behavior

The correct answer is: Improves reproductive success

Adaptive behavior refers to the actions and strategies that animals use to better suit their environment and improve their chances of survival and reproduction. When wildlife exhibits adaptive behavior, it typically leads to enhanced reproductive success. This could involve a variety of strategies such as finding better habitats, selecting more suitable mates, or having more efficient foraging techniques, all of which can contribute to an increase in the likelihood of successful mating and raising offspring. Increased reproductive success is crucial for population sustainability, as it ensures that more individuals contribute to the gene pool. Additionally, adaptive behaviors can help species respond to environmental changes, thereby maintaining their viability in the long-term, which is vital for species survival in changing ecosystems. The other choices do not accurately reflect the positive impact adaptive behavior has on wildlife. For instance, decreasing survival rates contradicts the essence of adaptation, while limiting habitat range may indicate a maladaptive response rather than an improvement. Similarly, while enhanced competitive behavior might be a result of adaptation, it does not inherently improve reproductive success on its own, as competition can also have neutral or negative effects depending on the context.