what is a probable proximate and probable ultimate cause of this behaviour?
2007-11-09 06:01:06 · 3 answers · asked by yassem1ne 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Biology
The breeding season for most animals is pretty dependent on the best time of year for the offspring to be born. The after birth time is when optimum amounts of food, etc. It is most important for their to be plenty of food for the babies (and the mother in the case of mammals).
The ultimate cause of this behavior would have been the better survival rates of the offspring of the individuals who bred at that optimum time. The breeding season trait would have thus been passed on to the surviving offspring.
2007-11-09 08:19:01 · answer #1 · answered by Joan H 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This allows the mother to carry the pregnancy during summer and fall when food is easier to find, and therefore ensures that both the mother and fetus gets enough nutrition.
2007-11-09 14:46:57 · answer #2 · answered by john d 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It gives time for the youngsters to eat a bit to store fat so they can survive their first winter.
2007-11-09 14:13:48 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋