"survival of the fittest"?

Question

What does the phrase "survival of the fittest" mean in terms of animals?

Answer 1

This is a 4-word summary of the theory of natural selection.

In other words, within a species, those members who are more "fit" for their environment, will survive in greater numbers than those who are less "fit."

While this is a pretty good summary of the basic idea of natural selection, always remember that it is just a summary. For example, a peacock with huge bright feathers might seem to be really bad for survival (easier prey), and thus less "fit". But the peacocks with the biggest tails attract the most mates, and therefore produce more young peacocks with their dad's tails. Secondly, it downplays the role of cooperation and self-sacrifice in survival. It is not just "every indivual for himself", but sometimes animals hunt in packs, or gather in hives, or develop complex social behaviors that help survival of many individuals.

Answer 2

"Survival of the fittest" means that the fittest animals in each species survive to pass along their stronger genes to the next generation thus making it stronger as well. Weak animals, those with defects, etc. are weeded out of the gene pool generally by other animals higher in the food chain therefore their weaker genes are not passed along. (A lion isn't going to waste its energy by hunting down the strongest wildebeast in the herd. It's going to go after the one with the bum leg that doesn't run very fast.)

This strengthens the animals especially those living in packs or herds. The animals that are stronger, faster, better hunters, etc. have a better chance of survival and continue their heritage throughout the gene pool.

Answer 3

What it does NOT mean is that nature favors the biggest, meanest, baddest, most bloodthirsty creatures. Ancient history is rife with extinct predators far more monstrous than anything alive today.

"Fittest" is being good at whatever the organism is question has to be good at in it's environmental niche, which can be a variety of things.

Answer 4

It means that animals who are most able to survive the conditions that they will see during their lifespan are the ones who live long enough to reproduce and pass their genes on to a new generation.

It also means that animals who have weak constitutions, poor camoflaging (or, in the case of animals like cardinals where the male becomes brightly colored to attract mates, weak coloring) are less likely to have lots of offspring, and their genes slowly fade out of the gene pool.

Answer 5

survival of the fittest means the species with large population in a certain environment, survive. it is because they are feared off and the one that produces offspring that are not weak.

Answer 6

"Survival of the fitness" means that those who have adapted the most with there enviroment would have a higher chance for reproductionand pass their genes on to the next generation or they could actually live in that enviroment. its mostly on how well you have adapted to the habitat. remember, when you adapt, you don't make new genes. all of your genes are already there. There is also a factor called natural selection. this is the process that derives evolution.

Answer 7

Animals that are old or infirm are the ones that will fall prey to predators.
Animals have survival instincts,the ones that can adapt to immediate threats more quickly are the ones that will endure,and pass the quality on to their offspring.