What is the most likely long-term outcome for a population of snakes if their primary prey, mice, become extinct?

• A. The snakes will become immune to starvation.
• B. The snake population will decrease due to lack of food.
• C. The snakes will immediately evolve to eat only plants.
• D. The snake population will remain unchanged.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the relationship between the snakes and their primary prey, mice. Snakes rely on mice as a food source, which is a critical component of their survival and reproduction.
2. Consider the concept of food chains and energy flow in ecosystems. If a primary food source is removed, the population of the predator (in this case, snakes) will be directly affected due to lack of energy input.
3. Evaluate the biological limitations of snakes. Snakes cannot immediately evolve to eat plants because evolution is a gradual process that occurs over many generations, not instantaneously.
4. Recognize that immunity to starvation is not a biological trait that organisms can develop. Starvation leads to physiological stress and eventual death if food is not available.
5. Conclude that the most likely long-term outcome for the snake population is a decrease in population size due to the lack of food, as they cannot sustain themselves without their primary prey.