A population of panthers lives in the southeastern United States. Over 50 years, the size of the panther population in the region increased. What best explains the increase in the size of the panther population? a. The panther population is always increasing because no animal eats panthers.

b. Fewer panthers were born than died. Fewer panthers were born than died.

c. More panthers were born than died. More panthers were born than died.

d. A lot of panthers were born and none of them died. A lot of panthers were born and none of them died.