Question

read the passage. then answer the question below.
sea ice in the arctic is a resting place for many mammals. species such as ringed seals, walruses, and polar bears rest on sea ice when they are not hunting in the water below.
these mammals are adapted to extremely cold temperatures. ringed seals and walruses grow thick layers of fat, called blubber, under their skin. blubber protects their bodies from the frigid temperatures. polar bears eat ringed seals and walruses. the blubber in these types of prey is a good energy source for polar bears.
which of the following best describes a population on sea ice in the arctic?
the polar bears and the walruses
the walruses and the sea ice
a group of ringed seals

Explanation:

To determine a population, we recall that a population consists of individuals of the same species in a particular area.

• "The polar bears and the walruses" includes two different species, so it is a community (multiple species) not a population.
• "The walruses and the sea ice" includes a non - living component (sea ice) and a species, so it is not a population.
• "A group of ringed seals" consists of individuals of the same species (ringed seals) on the sea ice, so it fits the definition of a population.

Answer:

a group of ringed seals