What does it mean for a mammal to be solitary in its social structure?

• A. Lives in large social groups.
• B. Lives and forages alone rather than in stable groups.
• C. Is always paired with a single mate.
• D. Follows a diurnal activity pattern.

Answer: (B)

The main idea is that solitary mammals spend most of their lives alone and do not live in stable social groups. In solitary species, adults typically roam, hunt, or forage by themselves and only come together for mating or when raising offspring. This contrasts with animals that live in predictable groups, where individuals cooperate or share territory. The option describing living and foraging alone, rather than in stable groups, matches this definition of solitary behavior.

The other ideas don’t fit solitary anatomy: living in large social groups describes gregarious or social species; being always paired with a single mate describes monogamy or pair bonding rather than solitary living; and following a diurnal activity pattern relates to the time of day they’re active, not how they organize social relationships.