All of these animal behaviors are important. They help the animals get food for energy, make sure their young survive, or ensure that they, themselves, survive. Behaviors that help animals or their young survive, increase the animals’ fitness. Animals with higher fitness have a better chance of passing their genes on to the next generation. If genes control behaviors that increase fitness, the behaviors become more common in the species. This occurs through the process of evolution by natural selection.
There are two types of lizards that live in Salem Forest. The ragus is a small, brightly colored lizard that moves very slowly. Due to its color and speed, the ragus is not very good at escaping predators. The cortus is also small, but it can use camouflage to blend in to its surroundings and runs very quickly. Due to its camouflage capabilities and quick speed, the cortus is very good at escaping predators.
Which lizard has higher fitness, the ragus or the cortus?