3 ms·

Have you not read textbook that explained specialized traits as reaction to the environment ? How could that be possible when these traits are needed immediatel

Have you not read textbook that explained specialized traits as reaction to the environment ? How could that be possible when these traits are needed immediately. You miss the point, why don't we have thousands of animals with the ability to hibernate that don't need them ? Of course traits don't have to evolve rapidly if you already have them or don't need them. But why would you already have the ability to hibernate efficiently if you don't need it ? Why would a bird of prey evolve the ability to hunt from the skies at relative high speed before it can fly ? I'm sorry I read the books there are no legitimate answers. Like said I love science and technology.

AlisdairO 13y ago
> You miss the point, why don't we have thousands of animals with the ability to hibernate that don't need them Because a tendency to hibernate is likely negative for survivorship when it's not necessary - if lots of other animals are moving around and you aren't, then something is more likely to come and kill you. On the other hand, lots of animals have other varying traits that aren't obviously useful, but don't exact a significant enough toll to cause them to disappear. > But why would you already have the ability to hibernate efficiently if you don't need it Doesn't that assume that bears were transported into Canada and survived because they could hibernate? Isn't it perfectly possible that they moved further north gradually, increasing their tendency to sleep in cold conditions as they did so?
Tichy 13y ago
In case of hibernation it seems very plausible that an animal evolved to sleep longer and longer, to preserve energy. I don't understand your problem? It could also work this way: an environment had enough food to sustain 20 bears in winter. If they sleep longer, the environment can sustain 40 bears. If they sleep even more, 100 bears can survive. The population would then grow from year to year, while sleeping more and more. What books on evolution have you read?

AlisdairO 13y ago

> You miss the point, why don't we have thousands of animals with the ability to hibernate that don't need them Because a tendency to hibernate is likely negative for survivorship when it's not necessary - if lots of other animals are moving around and you aren't, then something is more likely to come and kill you. On the other hand, lots of animals have other varying traits that aren't obviously useful, but don't exact a significant enough toll to cause them to disappear. > But why would you already have the ability to hibernate efficiently if you don't need it Doesn't that assume that bears were transported into Canada and survived because they could hibernate? Isn't it perfectly possible that they moved further north gradually, increasing their tendency to sleep in cold conditions as they did so?

Tichy 13y ago

In case of hibernation it seems very plausible that an animal evolved to sleep longer and longer, to preserve energy. I don't understand your problem? It could also work this way: an environment had enough food to sustain 20 bears in winter. If they sleep longer, the environment can sustain 40 bears. If they sleep even more, 100 bears can survive. The population would then grow from year to year, while sleeping more and more. What books on evolution have you read?