Use the paragraph to answer the question.

Releasing non-native animals into the wild upsets the food chains of native species. The tegu lizard has been introduced into the Florida Everglades and is destroying the environment. The lizard will eat anything that crosses its path, including small mammals, birds, insects, plants, and eggs, leaving animals of the ecosystem in danger. If all parts of the environment are on the tegu's menu, then all animals in the habitat are at risk of extinction. For this reason, anyone caught releasing non-native animals into the wild should be penalized with a significant fine.

How does the author support the claim that people who release non-native animals into the wild should be punished?

(1 point)
Responses

by including reasons that people might be tempted to take an animal out of its native environment.
by including reasons that people might be tempted to take an animal out of its native environment.

by including an example of a non-native animals that has caused problems in a new environment.
by including an example of a non-native animals that has caused problems in a new environment.

by including data that shows that the threat of punishment stops people from releasing non-native animals into the wild.
by including data that shows that the threat of punishment stops people from releasing non-native animals into the wild.

by including evidence that shows that animals are more likely to thrive in their native environment

The author supports the claim that people who release non-native animals into the wild should be punished by including an example of a non-native animal that has caused problems in a new environment. The paragraph specifically mentions the tegu lizard being introduced into the Florida Everglades, describing the harmful impact it has on the ecosystem by eating a wide variety of species and putting all animals in the habitat at risk of extinction. This example is used to illustrate the negative consequences of introducing non-native animals to an environment, thus justifying the need for penalties.