Which statement best describes precocial offspring?

• A. Relatively mature and capable of independent locomotion soon after birth.
• B. Relies on prolonged parental care after birth.
• C. Is born with full independence and no parental care.
• D. Requires building a nest immediately after birth.

Answer: (A)

Precocial offspring are relatively mature and capable of moving and feeding soon after birth. This means they can stand, walk, or swim and keep up with their parent shortly after hatching or birth, rather than remaining helpless and needing extensive care. That immediate mobility and early independence is the defining feature.

The statement chosen fits this idea because it describes being relatively mature and able to locomote soon after birth. Other options describe different life-history patterns: relying on prolonged parental care aligns with species whose young stay sheltered and dependent for a long time; being born with full independence and no parental care exaggerates how self-sufficient young typically are (most still have at least some parental involvement in many species); building a nest immediately after birth is not a defining trait of precociality and isn’t universally applicable.