Long Exam Questions

Question 1

What is altricial young and what are the costs and benefits?

Answer 1

Altricial young hatch naked, helpless birds

Benefits
+Quick Development
+Quick Independence
+Quick Fledgling time

Costs
-Eyes not open
-Unable to hold head up
Cannot maintain body temperature

Question 2

What’s Precocial young, and what are the costs and benefits?

Answer 2

Precocial hatch with a covering of down feathers

Benefits
\+Mobile on ground/water
\+Feed soon after hatching
\+Maintain body temperature
\+Reduced incubation time

Costs

• Takes a long time to fledge
• higher risk of predators
• slower development

Question 3

What are the differences between a reptile and a bird?

Answer 3

Reptile

• Scales all over the body
• Carnivorous
• Most don’t have legs
• Either lightweight/heavy weight
• Different body shapes

Birds

• Scales only on legs
• Diet varies
• Forelimbs develop into wings
• Only lightweight
• Streamlined