Hibernation primarily helps animals survive by reducing the energy required for survival (option C). During hibernation, animals enter a state of significantly decreased metabolic activity, which allows them to conserve energy when food is scarce, especially during winter months when resources are limited. This adaptation enables them to survive long periods without eating, relying on stored fat reserves.
The other options you mentioned are not the primary benefits of hibernation:
- Hibernation does not make access to food easier.
- While hibernation may reduce activity and thus the chance of encountering a mate, it's not primarily a strategy for mating.
- Hibernation does not specifically protect young from predators; rather, it allows the adult animals to survive adverse conditions.
In summary, the main benefit of hibernation is the conservation of energy during tough environmental conditions.