Question

Among the animals listed below, which one(s) is(are) more likely to adopt the R growth strategy?

• A. Arctic Wolf
• B. Arctic Hare
• C. Polar Bear
• D. Lemmings

Answer 1

Answer: (B), (D)

Lemmings

R-strategists have short lifespans, with a small body size and show rapid development. They produce a large number of offsprings, but do not invest much in parental care. Therefore, the survival rate in offsprings is low. The population curve of these animals shows regular boom and bust cycles, growing rapidly when the resources are plenty and quickly reaching population sizes that overshoot the carrying capacity of the habitat, causing them to crash rapidly and fall to very low levels.