A species of fox lives in the arctic where the ground is covered in white snow most of the year.  These arctic foxes hunt rodents and other small mammals, while their predators include eagles, wolves, and polar bears.  A mutation in its DNA causes a fox to have white fur rather than brown.  Given this information, would you classify this mutation as a harmful, beneficial, or neutral mutation?  Would this make the fox more or less likely to survive?  Explain your answer.

Make the answer 3 sentences or Just short

1 answer

The mutation causing the arctic fox to have white fur instead of brown is classified as a beneficial mutation. This adaptation allows the fox to blend in with its snowy environment, increasing its chances of hunting successfully and avoiding predators, thereby enhancing its survival. Consequently, this white fur would make the fox more likely to survive in its arctic habitat.