You Are a Graduate Student on an Expedition That Is

Multiple Choice

You are a graduate student on an expedition that is studying animals in an area of a national park that is about to be opened to the public for recreation and limited logging. Part of this study is to survey and characterize the mammalian life in the area. You find a small rodent that has a short tail, copious brown fat deposits, and oil in its fur. With these anatomical features, what can you infer about this animal?

A) It is an ectotherm and very likely a poikilotherm.
B) It is likely an ectotherm that spends some time in the water.
C) It likely hibernates and spends some time in the water.
D) It lives in a very warm climate and is adapted to release heat efficiently.
E) It lives in a very dry climate and has adaptations to conserve water.