Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Life Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Directions: Use the information provided and your knowledge of Life Science to answer the following questions. Show all work where necessary.
Arctic hares live in some of the coldest environments on Earth. Their thick fur helps them survive the extreme cold - but what’s most remarkable is that their fur color changes with the seasons.
In winter, Arctic hares have white fur that blends with snow and ice, helping them avoid predators. In summer, when the snow melts, their fur turns gray-brown to match the tundra rocks and vegetation.
Scientists at the Canadian Wildlife Service studied how temperature and daylight affect this color change. They found that as average temperature and daylight hours increase, the amount of white fur decreases, while brown fur coverage increases. This shows that fur color isn’t just inherited - it’s influenced by environmental signals like temperature and light levels.
Month | Average Temperature (°C) | % White Fur Coverage |
|---|---|---|
January | -25 | 100% |
March | -15 | 90% |
May | 0 | 50% |
July | +10 | 10% |
September | 0 | 60% |
November | -15 | 95% |
This pattern repeats every year. The hares inherit the ability to change fur color, but the environment determines when and how much the color shifts.
This phenomenon shows how traits are shaped by both genetics and environment. The genes for fur color change are inherited, but the timing and degree of change depend on environmental factors like temperature and day length.
Make a claim, provide the evidence, and explain your reasoning for the statement: “The fur color of Arctic hares is influenced by environmental temperature and daylight.”
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning:
Refer to Table 1 in the Arctic Hare Fur Color and Temperature resource. Describe the relationship between temperature and white fur coverage throughout the year.
Which statement best describes the cause of fur color changes in Arctic hares?
How does the fur color change show a connection between inherited traits and the environment?
Explain how the color change of Arctic hares helps them survive better in their environment.