Mammals Starting with "E" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Wapiti

The elk is one of the largest members of the deer family and is found in North America and regions of northern Asia. Their spectacular velvet-covered antlers have been used as natural medicines by both Native American and Asian cultures. Although there are many subspecies of elk, most have similar behaviors and appearances.

They are herd animals that usually live in single-sex herds that come together during breeding season. They are grazing herbivores that migrate in search of food and in general, prefer cooler climates.

Answer: Catastrophic molt

The elephant seal spends most of the year at sea swimming thousands of miles in its search for food. Because their internal temperature is similar to a human's and the water they swim in is near freezing, they keep their blood inside their blubber layer in order to prevent energy loss. Because of the lack of blood circulation next to the skin, they are unable to grow new skin. Once a year they come to shore for the warmer climate. At this time their blood starts circulating near the skin causing massive amounts of new skin to grow.

During this period of "catastrophic molt" beaches can be covered with elephant seals who are shedding amazing amounts of old skin. When on shore, these carnivorous semi-aquatic mammals are often seen sporting skin which is falling off of their heavily scarred bodies. Molting season causes weight loss due to the amount of skin lost as well as the fact that the animal does not eat through the whole 3-4 week period.

Answer: Ants

This egg-laying mammal has a long sticky tongue in a tiny mouth which opens only wide enough for the tongue to come out. Even though it looks a lot like a porcupine and a hedgehog, it is completely unrelated. Echidnas are solitary animals except when mating. This insect eating mammal can be found all over Australia and in a few areas of New Guinea.

Answer: Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Eastern Lowland gorilla is the largest of the four subspecies of gorilla. The largest populations are found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where their populations have been decimated by years of warfare. They make their homes in the lowland tropical rainforest and like all gorillas, subsist mainly on fruit and other plant life.

The population is estimated at about 5,000 individuals. They live in family groups that stay together for years, and spend many hours every day hunting for food which is shared among the group.

Answer: Primate

The emperor tamarin is a small primate that makes its home in the jungles of the Amazon River. They received their name because it was thought that their characteristic long moustache bore a resemblance to that sported by Emperor Wilhelm II of Germany.

This New World monkey has soft fine hair and is usually found gathering fruit, frog, and insects in the tree tops. They live in social groups that usually number about a dozen individuals.

Answer: Eland

The majestic eland is usually found in groups of 15-20 members, munching on the grasses and other foliage of the savannahs. Known for their nutritious meat, they have been hunted for many generations by both local and European cultures. In the western-central areas of Africa, eland farms are popping up as their wild populations dwindle.

The males will use their short, spiral horns when competing for mating rights, but these competitions are usually for show and serious damage does not usually occur to either participant.

Answer: Burrow into the ground

Elephants will do all of these things other than burrow into the ground. Elephants are fond of water and of mud. Besides keeping them cool, it provides protection from flies and other biting insects. Adult elephants sleep standing up, produce over 70 pounds of excrement a day, and are known to make noises that are below the human range of hearing.

Elephants live in herds headed by a matriarch who is usually the mother or grandmother of the other females and their babies. Males come into the herds during mating season.

Answer: Ermine

The ermine/stoat is a type of weasel that has been used by royalty and high ranking religious officials for its luxurious, white fur. It is an adaptable animal that has been known to upset ecosystems when introduced to non-native areas. It is only called an ermine when it has its white winter coat.

The ermine is unusual in that the female is sexually mature before it is weaned, and is usually still deaf, blind, and hairless during its first mating.

Answer: You might catch leprosy

Armadillos are the only animal, other than humans, known to carry leprosy. This can happen from handling them, eating them, or even digging in the same dirt in which they live. While armadillos are usually shy animals, it is best to leave them completely alone if you come upon one.

They are most numerous in South America and southern areas of North America, and usually display nocturnal behaviors.

Answer: False

The elephant shrew is a small insectivore that is found exclusively in parts of Africa. They are known to hop on their back legs similar to a rabbit and are very active during the day. They are well camouflaged and very wary, making them difficult prey for other animals.