Why small animals are mostly not found in polar areas?

Options

A. Because they have a smaller surface area relative to their volume
B. because they have a larger volume relative to their surface area.
C. Because they have a smaller metabolic rate
D. because they have a larger surface area relative to their volume

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Body Size and Surface Area**:
- Small animals have a smaller body size, which means they have a larger surface area relative to their volume. This is an important concept in biology known as the surface area-to-volume ratio.

2. **Heat Loss in Animals**:
- The larger the surface area relative to volume, the more heat an animal loses to the environment. Small animals, due to their high surface area-to-volume ratio, lose heat more quickly than larger animals.

3. **Adaptation to Cold Environments**:
- In polar areas, the temperatures are extremely low, and animals need to conserve heat to survive. Larger animals, with their smaller surface area relative to volume, lose heat at a slower rate, making them better suited for these cold environments.

4. **Body Characteristics of Polar Animals**:
- Polar animals tend to have adaptations such as smaller ears and limbs, which help reduce heat loss. This is contrary to small animals, which typically have larger external parts in proportion to their body size.

5. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, small animals are mostly not found in polar areas because their large surface area relative to volume leads to excessive heat loss, making it difficult for them to survive in such cold climates.