15. What would be a probable explanation for why there are many endemic plants and birds in New Zealand, but no native mammals?(1 point)

Question

Responses

They were driven away by non–native mammals.
They were driven away by non–native mammals.

Plants and birds would make ocean crossings to the isolated New Zealand islands, mammals could not.
Plants and birds would make ocean crossings to the isolated New Zealand islands, mammals could not.

The island habitats were not conducive to mammalian life.
The island habitats were not conducive to mammalian life.

They were hunted to extinction by the Maori.

Answer 1

The most probable explanation for why there are many endemic plants and birds in New Zealand, but no native mammals, is:

Plants and birds would make ocean crossings to the isolated New Zealand islands, mammals could not.

Mammals generally require more specific conditions for survival, and their ability to cross large bodies of water is limited compared to birds and plants, which can disperse through various means. Birds can fly short distances over water, and plants are capable of being carried by wind or water currents. This has allowed birds and plants to colonize New Zealand more successfully than mammals.