Which of the following animals is typically found in a Mediterranean climate zone?

The Mediterranean climate zone is characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. This climate supports a variety of wildlife that is adaptable to such conditions. Hawks, as birds of prey, are commonly found in this environment because they thrive in areas with open terrain and can hunt for a variety of smaller animals like rodents, which are abundant in Mediterranean regions.

In contrast, penguins are native to cold, polar environments and are not suited to the warmer temperatures found in Mediterranean climates. Polar bears also inhabit cold Arctic regions and are not adapted to the Mediterranean environment. Wombats, while they are marsupials found in Australia, are not specifically associated with Mediterranean climates as their habitat is primarily in more temperate zones. Therefore, hawks are the most representative of animals that can typically thrive in the Mediterranean climate zone due to their adaptation to the available food sources and climatic conditions.