Nokea
Skin coloration and markings have an important role to play in the world of snakes. Those intricate diamonds, stripes, and swirls help the animals hide from predators, but perhaps most importantly (for us humans, anyway), the markings can also indicate whether the snake is venomous. While it might seem counterintuitive for a venomous snake to stand out in bright red or blue, that fancy costume tells any nearby predator that approaching him would be a bad idea.
If you see a flashy-looking snake in the woods, though, those markings don't necessarily mean it's venomous: some snakes have found a way to ward off predators without the actual venom. The scarlet kingsnake, for example, has very similar markings to the venomous coral snake with whom it frequently shares a habitat. However, the kingsnake is actually nonvenomous; it's merely pretending to be dangerous to eat. A predatory hawk or eagle, usually hunting from high in the sky, can't tell the difference between the two species, and so the kingsnake gets passed over and lives another day.
What is the best summary of this passage?
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The best summary of the passage is that humans can use coloration and markings on snakes to determine whether they're venomous. The passage discusses how snake markings serve the purpose of warning predators and helping humans identify venomous snakes by their bright coloration. Choice B is incorrect because the passage focuses on how coloration helps snakes evade predators rather than hide from them. Choice C is incorrect as it only mentions two specific snakes with similar markings, which is a minor detail compared to the main point of identifying venomous snakes. Choice D is incorrect because it only partially reflects the passage, focusing solely on the relationship between markings and venom in snakes, missing the crucial aspect of human ability to discern venomous snakes based on their coloration.