Question
Select the best evidence to support the statement "Rocky river bottoms are vital to the Eastern hellbenders' lifecycle." There may be more than one correct choice.
The Eastern hellbender, a mottled and wrinkly salamander, can reach unexpected sizes but remains hidden to most visitors to North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest.
"Even though they are these giant salamanders, they blend right into the bottom," said Jeff Humphries, a wildlife biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. "People often float right over top of two-foot salamanders and never notice."
This nocturnal amphibian often hides under the same rock for its entire adult life span-up to thirty years-emerging at night to feed largely on crayfish. In recent efforts, Forest Service biologists who manage these waters have reached out to educate the thousands of people who enjoy the same streams while swimming, tubing, and boating. These same recreationists unknowingly disturb and destroy hellbender habitat.
The Eastern hellbender, a mottled and wrinkly salamander, can reach unexpected sizes but remains hidden to most visitors to North Carolina's Pisgah National Forest.
"Even though they are these giant salamanders, they blend right into the bottom," said Jeff Humphries, a wildlife biologist with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. "People often float right over top of two-foot salamanders and never notice."
This nocturnal amphibian often hides under the same rock for its entire adult life span-up to thirty years-emerging at night to feed largely on crayfish. In recent efforts, Forest Service biologists who manage these waters have reached out to educate the thousands of people who enjoy the same streams while swimming, tubing, and boating. These same recreationists unknowingly disturb and destroy hellbender habitat.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
To support the statement "Rocky river bottoms are vital to the Eastern hellbenders' lifecycle," the following evidence can be derived from the provided text:
1. **Habitat Preference**: The Eastern hellbender often hides under the same rock for its entire adult lifespan, indicating that rocky river bottoms provide essential shelter and habitat for these salamanders.
2. **Life Span and Behavior**: The mention that hellbenders can live up to thirty years and remain in the same habitat emphasizes the importance of rocky river bottoms as a stable environment for their entire life.
3. **Feeding Habits**: The description that they emerge at night to feed largely on crayfish suggests that their habitat (rocky river bottoms) is crucial not just for shelter but also for their feeding practices.
4. **Impact of Recreation**: The acknowledgment that recreationists disturb and destroy hellbender habitat highlights the critical nature of rocky river bottoms for their lifecycle, as any alteration or destruction of this habitat can pose a threat to the species.
These points together illustrate the importance of rocky river bottoms to the Eastern hellbender's lifecycle.
1. **Habitat Preference**: The Eastern hellbender often hides under the same rock for its entire adult lifespan, indicating that rocky river bottoms provide essential shelter and habitat for these salamanders.
2. **Life Span and Behavior**: The mention that hellbenders can live up to thirty years and remain in the same habitat emphasizes the importance of rocky river bottoms as a stable environment for their entire life.
3. **Feeding Habits**: The description that they emerge at night to feed largely on crayfish suggests that their habitat (rocky river bottoms) is crucial not just for shelter but also for their feeding practices.
4. **Impact of Recreation**: The acknowledgment that recreationists disturb and destroy hellbender habitat highlights the critical nature of rocky river bottoms for their lifecycle, as any alteration or destruction of this habitat can pose a threat to the species.
These points together illustrate the importance of rocky river bottoms to the Eastern hellbender's lifecycle.