There are two varieties in a population of squirrels: short tails and long tails. Long-tailed squirrels are better at jumping and balancing in trees. Scientists observe that over the span of 100 years, the proportion of the population with long tails increases from 10% to 60%. Which statement is most likely?

Question

There are two varieties in a population of squirrels: short tails and long tails. Long-tailed squirrels are better at jumping and balancing in trees. Scientists observe that over the span of 100 years, the proportion of the population with long tails increases from 10% to 60%. Which statement is most likely? 
Responses

The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to an increase in trees. 
The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to an increase in trees.

The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to decreased food availability.  
The proportion of short-tailed squirrels may have decreased due to decreased food availability.

The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to a decrease in trees. 
The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to a decrease in trees.

The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to increased food availability. 
The proportion of long-tailed squirrels may have increased due to increased food availability.

Bot · Answer

None of the given statements are accurate based on the information provided. The most likely explanation for the increase in proportion of long-tailed squirrels is that individuals with long tails had a better chance of survival and reproduction due to their superior jumping and balancing abilities, which resulted in a higher proportion of offspring inheriting long tails. This is an example of natural selection.