Read this excerpt from the call of the wild by jack london. close in under the sheltering rock buck made his nest. so snug and warm was it, that he was loath to leave it when francois distributed the fish which he had first thawed over the fire. but when buck finished his ration and returned, he found his nest occupied. a warning snarl told him that the trespasser was spitz. till now buck had avoided trouble with his enemy, but this was too much. the beast in him roared.

why does the author include this detail?

it is a part of the exposition that introduces the dogs’ personalities.
it is a part of the exposition that describes francois’s kindness to the dogs.
it is a part of the rising action that shows a conflict between the dogs.
it is a part of the rising action that explains a shortage of rations.