If about 20 rats got stuck on an undiscovered tropical island, what are at least 5 adaptations the rats might make?

Question

blues · Answer

The specific adaptations would be reflective of the specific environmental pressures exerted on the rat population by that island.

thomaster · Answer

they will eat all the coconuts and when the island runs out of coconuts the rats will become cannibalistic.

thomaster · Answer

Raoul Silva explains it in Skyfall :D

anonymous · Answer

I would say that the adaptation the rats might make would depend on the exact environment this  "deserted" island held. For example, what could the diet consist of? If all there was to eat on this deserted island was coconuts, the rat would have to adapt to the hardened shell to gain access to the food inside (i.e. sharper, harder teeth/claws, improved grip, increased brain size, etc.)

anonymous · Answer

Maybe the rat needs to become accomodated to the aquatic environment. This could result in adaptations such as webbed toes, stronger back legs, or even nostrils that could close out seawater (given the rat has the neccessity to dive).

anonymous · Answer

1. Adaptation to the island's climate.
2. Adaptation to surroundings/habitat.
3. Adaptation to aquatic environment (it's an island).
4. Adaptation of lifestyle (they have to eat whatever they find around).
5. Adaptation to pathogens and microbes (so they don't die instantly when they are in their new surroundings).

anonymous · Answer

@fossil_rob if the island was full of grasses, low shrubs, and lush/tropical plants, could the rats teeth change?

anonymous · Answer

Absolutely! But do they really NEED to change? No. A rat is an omnivorous organism; a forager at that even. Their teeth are already made to crush the seeds or cut up the grasses that could be included in their diet. If anything were to change, I would say there would have to be an adaptation in the digestive system (depending on where your rats came from) Take for example a rat from New York City. These guys are TRASH EATERS. Stick them on an island with all natural foods and easiest way to put it, THEYRE GONNA HAVE A BAD TIME. It's like being a vegetarian for years and years, then deciding that your going to plow into a 15 lb burger challenge. Overall, (back to the original subject; excuse my extra babble) the teeth could most definately change, but it's really not necessary.

anonymous · Answer

Ok, thank you so much! You explained everything very well