One word answer: Sexual reproduction.
Asexual reproduction is an advantage in a stable environment. This is because it produces offspring genetically identical to the parent which is already well adapted and suited to the environment. Because the parent is well adapted, all its offspring will be too, increasing their chances of survival in a stable environment. This contrasts sexual reproduction where each offspring is slightly different to the parent and therefore isn't suited exactly the same way as the parent is to the environment. Some of the offspring will adapt and survive but the others won't. Sexual is also best for changing environment Asexual is best for stable environment Asexual reproduction is also advantageous when species numbers are low, as the requirement of a mate to reproduce doesn't exist.
The animal who doesn't adapt will die..that means the animal who was strong enough to handle it's environment breeds with another animal that was strong enough to handle it's environment. That results in offspring with the same strong qualities and it continues evermore.
If the animal species is given a very long time to adapt to a slowly changing environment, then the answer is probably yes. But, taking the sloth, koala and the giant panda, all with very specialised and exclusive diets, it is difficult to see these species ever being able to adapt - unless the changes were over several centuries.
Because of their inability to reproduce rapidly, "k"-selected species tend to be more sensitive to change and are, therefore, less able to adapt to a rapidly changing environment. This is what makes them susceptible to endangerment. - See more at: http://www.chacha.com/question/why-are-pest-species-likely-to-be-extreme-r%26%2345%3Bselected-species#sthash.E2Anrl2s.dpuf
They PUFF UP !
Become extinct over time
The species could not adapt quickly enough to their changing environment to survive.
Sexual reproduction allows a species to develop the means necessary to adapt to ever-changing environment conditions, so long as the change isn't too drastic or happen too suddenly.
Environments are constantly changing, so the organism must adapt. Sexual reproduction ensures genetic diversity in the progeny. If one or a few of the progeny have new traits that can help it survive in its changing environment, it is more likely to reach adulthood and reproduce. If a species becomes isolated, or reproduces asexually it will not adapt to its environment, its traits will be exact copies of its parents and the species will eventually go extinct, that particular scenario only works in areas where the environment is stable and not subject to change.
Environments are constantly changing, so the organism must adapt. Sexual reproduction ensures genetic diversity in the progeny. If one or a few of the progeny have new traits that can help it survive in its changing environment, it is more likely to reach adulthood and reproduce. If a species becomes isolated, or reproduces asexually it will not adapt to its environment, its traits will be exact copies of its parents and the species will eventually go extinct, that particular scenario only works in areas where the environment is stable and not subject to change.
Homo sapiens learned to adapt to their environment in order to survive and thrive. Being able to modify the environment allowed them to access resources, shelter, and protection from predators. This increased their chances of survival and reproduction.
In asexual reproduction the organism makes identical copies of itself. This is OK if it is successful in its environment and the organism's environment is not changing. However environments are constantly changing, so the organism must adapt. Sexual reproduction ensures genetic diversity in the progeny. This way if the environment becomes harsh but if one or a few of the progeny have new traits that can help it survive in this environment, it is more likely to reach adulthood and reproduce. (This is essentialy how evolution works although this is a very simplified model). In other words, sexual reproduction speeds up evolution, making it less likely for the species to become extinct, but it has some disadvantages.
In asexual reproduction the organism makes identical copies of itself. This is OK if it is successful in its environment and the organism's environment is not changing. However environments are constantly changing, so the organism must adapt. Sexual reproduction ensures genetic diversity in the progeny. This way if the environment becomes harsh but if one or a few of the progeny have new traits that can help it survive in this environment, it is more likely to reach adulthood and reproduce. (This is essentialy how evolution works although this is a very simplified model). In other words, sexual reproduction speeds up evolution, making it less likely for the species to become extinct, but it has some disadvantages.
In asexual reproduction the organism makes identical copies of itself. This is OK if it is successful in its environment and the organism's environment is not changing. However environments are constantly changing, so the organism must adapt. Sexual reproduction ensures genetic diversity in the progeny. This way if the environment becomes harsh but if one or a few of the progeny have new traits that can help it survive in this environment, it is more likely to reach adulthood and reproduce. (This is essentialy how evolution works although this is a very simplified model). In other words, sexual reproduction speeds up evolution, making it less likely for the species to become extinct, but it has some disadvantages.
In asexual reproduction the organism makes identical copies of itself. This is OK if it is successful in its environment and the organism's environment is not changing. However environments are constantly changing, so the organism must adapt. Sexual reproduction ensures genetic diversity in the progeny. This way if the environment becomes harsh but if one or a few of the progeny have new traits that can help it survive in this environment, it is more likely to reach adulthood and reproduce. (This is essentialy how evolution works although this is a very simplified model). In other words, sexual reproduction speeds up evolution, making it less likely for the species to become extinct, but it has some disadvantages.
an increased ability to adapt
Go extinct.