Answer to Question #160449 in Evolution for Joy

Question

The Philippine mouse deer or pilandok has shorter fur than its counterpart deer in the Arctic region. What characteristic is exhibited in this situation? Will a mouse-deer survive in cold regions? Why or why not?

Answer 1

The mouse deer or pillandock has shorter fur than its counterpart deer in the arctic region because of evolution. The characteristic that is exhibited in this situation is adaptability to the environment in which the deer lives or survives.

The arctic deer survives in extreme cold conditions in the arctic and hence needs fur to protect its body. Thus it has a heavy fur coat.

The mouse deer is found in deciduous or semi-evergreen forests where the temperature is not as cold as the arctic region and hence they have less fur. Thus, the mouse deer can not survive in the arctic due to less fur in its body which cannot protect it from the very cold environment in the arctics.