Which of the following would be a primary concern for the survival of snakes in a changing environment?

The primary concern for the survival of snakes in a changing environment is the issue of temperature fluctuations. Snakes are ectothermic, meaning they rely on external environmental conditions to regulate their body temperature. As the climate changes and temperature patterns shift, it can impact their ability to thermoregulate effectively. For instance, extreme heat or cold can affect their metabolic rates, reproductive cycles, and overall survival.

While availability of food, growth of vegetation, and predator population increase are also important factors that can impact snake populations, they are more secondary to the immediate physiological needs related to temperature regulation. If temperature becomes unsuitable, snakes may struggle to find adequate thermal environments for hunting, resting, and breeding, which can ultimately threaten their survival more directly than the other factors listed.