Which of the following animals can change their gender during their life span?

Correct option is D

Correct Answer:D. Snail

Many species of snails are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. Some snails can change their gender during their lifetime depending on environmental conditions and reproductive needs. This ability allows them to adapt and increase reproductive success.

• Protandric Hermaphrodites: Some snails start as males and later transition to females (e.g., slipper snails).
• Simultaneous Hermaphrodites: Some snails function as both male and female at the same time (e.g., land snails).
• Snails reproduce by exchanging sperm with other snails or self-fertilizing in some species.
• Other animals that can change gender include clownfish, wrasses, and some starfishes.

• Ascaris (A): A parasitic roundworm that has separate sexes (dioecious), no gender change.
• Humans (B): Humans have fixed biological sexes and cannot naturally change gender.
• Nereis (C): A type of marine worm (polychaete) with separate sexes, no gender change ability.