Question

Although most gray squirrels have gray fur, sometimes individuals with white or black fur are born. If a white-furred individual were born in a population of gray squirrels living in a Florida forest, what would be the most likely long-term consequence of its presence for the squirrel population if the forest remained unchanged for the next several generations?

Answer 1

A. The number of white squirrels in the population would slowly increase as the original white squirrel produced white offspring.
B. The population would remain primarily gray, and the white squirrel would likely get eaten prior to adulthood.
C. The population would very quickly become predominantly white since the white squirrels would be camouflaged against the sand.
D. The white squirrel would draw more predators to the area since it was more visible, and many gray squirrels would get eaten.

I think this one is B, is that right?

Answer 2

B would be the best answer because the white squirrel would have a harder time hiding from predators. And even if the white squirrel did survive to adulthood and produced offspring, the overall population would remain primarily gray since recessive alleles (white or black fur) are often overshadowed by the dominant (gray fur) allele.