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Quiz about Would You Survive in the Desert

Would You Survive in the Desert ? Quiz

The American southwest can be a formidable place. This quiz will test your ability to survive if you were to be stranded.

A multiple-choice quiz by cplum972. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
cplum972

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
260,777

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
3863

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Linda_Arizona (9/10), Guest 76 (8/10), Guest 69 (7/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The desert can quickly suck moisture from you. You have a small canteen full of water and it's really getting hot. What should you do? Hint

Drink as much as you feel you need

Ration your water to tiny amounts

Pour the water over your head to cool you off

Pour the water out, the extra weight will tire you

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. Hypothermia is often a concern in the desert.

True

False

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Question 3 of 10

3. Black widow spiders are one of many creatures to be cautious of. You can easily identify one by its appearance. What is the best description? Hint

Shiny black body with a yellow "fiddle" marking on the abdomen

Shiny black body with a red "hourglass" marking on the abdomen

Brown and hairy with white stripes

White or cream colored with very long legs

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Scorpions hunt at night in the desert. One way to detect them is to shine an ultraviolet light on the ground on front of you as you walk.

True

False

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Question 5 of 10

5. It is important to keep parasites and dangerous bacteria from accumulating on the body, but bathing is often a luxury in the desert. What is a good alternative to a traditional bath? Hint

Eat cactus flowers

Cover yourself with mud

Take a "smoke bath" by burning certain shrubs or plants

Spray yourself with deodorant before you go to the desert

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. In desert areas, shelter from the sun should be a main consideration, but cold, rain, hail, even snow can also be factors. When building a shelter, you should do what? Hint

Build it in a way that it is visible to searchers/rescuers

Build it clear of creek beds

Make it just large enough for you to lie down in

All of these

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. Certain cactus species contain enough water to sustain a person for weeks in the desert.

True

False

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Again back to water. Water means life! My canteen is empty and I need to find a water source. What are some ways to find water? Hint

Watch animals or follow their tracks

Head toward the circling flock of birds I see in the distance

Continue to walk downhill

All of these

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. As a food source, most lizards are edible and will make for a decent meal. This one however should be avoided. What is it called? Hint

Desert spiny lizard

Gila monster

Desert iguana

Common chuckwalla

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. Despite their reputations, deserts in the American Southwest have abundant wildlife.

True

False

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 30 2024 : Linda_Arizona: 9/10
Oct 11 2024 : Guest 76: 8/10
Sep 30 2024 : Guest 69: 7/10
Sep 28 2024 : Guest 2: 5/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The desert can quickly suck moisture from you. You have a small canteen full of water and it's really getting hot. What should you do?

Answer: Drink as much as you feel you need

Dehydration is the number one killer in the desert. Your body can go for as much as 15 to 20 days without food, but in as little as 2 days without water, you would most likely perish. Dehydration also affects your ability to concentrate and therefore would reduce your chances of rescue/survival.

2. Hypothermia is often a concern in the desert.

Answer: True

During much of the year, the temperature in American southwest deserts can vary as much as 80 degrees Fahrenheit between night and day!

3. Black widow spiders are one of many creatures to be cautious of. You can easily identify one by its appearance. What is the best description?

Answer: Shiny black body with a red "hourglass" marking on the abdomen

The male black widow spider can be as much as 1/4 the size of a female and is not considered to be dangerous.

4. Scorpions hunt at night in the desert. One way to detect them is to shine an ultraviolet light on the ground on front of you as you walk.

Answer: True

Many species actually GLOW in the dark under UV light!

5. It is important to keep parasites and dangerous bacteria from accumulating on the body, but bathing is often a luxury in the desert. What is a good alternative to a traditional bath?

Answer: Take a "smoke bath" by burning certain shrubs or plants

Native Americans used "smoke baths" as part of rituals, but they are also effective cleansing tools, especially by burning plants like juniper which is abundant in the American southwest.

6. In desert areas, shelter from the sun should be a main consideration, but cold, rain, hail, even snow can also be factors. When building a shelter, you should do what?

Answer: All of these

Also try not to lie directly on the ground.

7. Certain cactus species contain enough water to sustain a person for weeks in the desert.

Answer: False

The flesh of a barrel cactus is made up of about 90% water and can relieve the symptoms of thirst for a while, but the water itself is in a slimy mucus like form and is not adequate to sustain life without alternate sources of water.

8. Again back to water. Water means life! My canteen is empty and I need to find a water source. What are some ways to find water?

Answer: All of these

Like humans, most animals large enough to leave tracks need water to survive, so their tracks can often lead to a source of water. Flocks of birds also tend to congregate near water sources. Finally, water always flows downhill. While these methods don't guarantee success, they are simple and produce results in many cases.

9. As a food source, most lizards are edible and will make for a decent meal. This one however should be avoided. What is it called?

Answer: Gila monster

The Gila monster is one of the world's venomous lizards.

10. Despite their reputations, deserts in the American Southwest have abundant wildlife.

Answer: True

Hundreds of species have been identified from almost every animal class.

Source: Author cplum972

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor crisw before going online.
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