2007-04-26 10:51:30 · 11 answers · asked by Jen 4 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
Survival of the fittest means that the animals that are best-suited to live in their environment are the ones that will survive, reproduce, and pass on their good qualities to their offspring.
Fittest just means that they have the best adaptations, not necessarily that they are the strongest.
What's "fittest" for an antelope? Fast runner, has babies that can get up and run right after birth, stays with the herd, ...
What's "fittest" for a whale? Good hunting techniques, blubber to keep warm, can hold breath a long time, sings the right whale song to keep in touch with other whales, stays away from boats, ...
2007-04-26 10:57:20 · answer #1 · answered by ecolink 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Survival of the fittest means that the organism best suited to live in a specific environment will survive and dominate. The organism must be able to find food, reproduce, and defend itself. It passes its traits onto its offspring and therefore, makes its species survive and is considered the fittest. If a species has traits that don't favor it such as a certain food requirement that does not exist in that specific area, it will eventually die off.
2007-04-26 11:56:45 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi Jen - Think of it this way even though its a bit simplistic...
You and I are running from a man eating lion and you can run faster than I. You are the "fittest" and therefore you survive and I get eaten.
2007-04-26 11:00:21 · answer #3 · answered by The man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It purports to mean that in most cases the most fit survive to reproduce. If you look closely at the animal world you find this to be illusory.
2007-04-26 10:58:49 · answer #4 · answered by Helmut 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
also known a "natural selection" it is the idea that animals with selected genes along with its physical characteristics have a higher chance of survival and reproduction in a given environmental.
2007-04-26 10:59:11 · answer #5 · answered by (♥_♥) 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Strong creatures survive while the weak and sick creatures are eaten by prey or die. The strong do not protect those that are weak and sickly.
2007-04-26 10:56:38 · answer #6 · answered by Truth is elusive 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
haven't you heard? the idiots survive. survival of the most idiotic prevails. the mildly idiotic (those who think that they think) perish, because they use their brains but it just isn't enough. remember the blood sucking lawyer who got eaten.
one important thing to remember to survive: always have your lucky bag.
2007-04-26 11:30:13 · answer #7 · answered by ·will¹ªm ºn vacation! 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the strong survive
2007-04-26 10:54:51 · answer #8 · answered by chris f 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In addition to all the other fine answers, It's nature's way of thinning the herd, so to speak.
2007-04-26 11:00:42 · answer #9 · answered by calipam 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The phrase is a metaphor, not a scientific description; and it is not generally used by biologists, who almost exclusively prefer to use the phrase "natural selection".
2007-04-26 11:04:54 · answer #10 · answered by Kenzbabee 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋