Long-tailed sun skinks are lizards found in Southeast Asia. Most female skinks leave their nests after laying eggs. However, on one island with many egg-eating snakes, some females stay and guard their nests. When a snake comes near, the female may attack and drive it away, which helps protect the eggs.

Question

Which observation best supports the claim you selected in Question 6?

Fewer eggs get eaten when female skinks protect their nests from snakes.
Fewer eggs get eaten when female skinks protect their nests from snakes.

Some female skinks stay at their nests for a few days after laying eggs.
Some female skinks stay at their nests for a few days after laying eggs.

Egg-eating snakes often try to eat eggs from skink nests.

Answer 1

The observation that best supports the claim that female skinks stay to guard their nests to protect their eggs from snakes is:

Fewer eggs get eaten when female skinks protect their nests from snakes.

This statement provides direct evidence that the behavior of female skinks guarding their nests has a positive impact on the survival of the eggs, thereby supporting the claim about their protective behavior.