[Campbell Biology P.792] Which of the following statements accurately describes the pouch ma... | Practice Question

Which of the following statements accurately describes the pouch marsupium of a specific marsupial and its adaptive significance, according to the text?

  • A: In red kangaroos, the pouch opens to the rear, protecting young while the mother burrows.
  • B: In greater bilbies, the pouch opens to the front, allowing the young to easily access milk.
  • C: In most species, like kangaroos, the pouch opens to the front, enabling the young to crawl into it after birth.
  • D: Virginia opossums have a rear-opening pouch, and their young complete development there before riding on the mother's back.

Explanation

The text states: 'In most species, the nursing young are held within a maternal pouch called a marsupium. A red kangaroo, for instance... its front legs are strong enough for it to crawl from the exit of its mother's reproductive tract to a pouch that opens to the front of her body...'. This confirms that pouches generally open to the front, as seen in kangaroos, and this orientation helps the very early-born young to crawl into it.