Life on the Pond Trivia Quiz

Answer: Amphibian

A newt is a type of salamander that spends most of its time in water, at least once it is fully grown. In its younger stage, when known as an eft, it is more likely to be found on land. One group of newts that can be found in ponds, marshes and other wetlands in North America is the eastern newt, which can be further broken down to include red-spotted, broken-striped and other varieties.

Answer: Amphibian

Rather than being an independent animal themselves, tadpoles are the larval stage of a number of amphibians, such as frogs and toads. The number of stages in the life cycle of an amphibian varies according to the source consulted, but all agree that tadpoles come somewhere between the egg being laid in water, and the development of forelegs.

Some sources break down the life of the tadpole itself, from clinging to plants, to developing gills to the appearance of hind legs.

Answer: Amphibian

Toads and frogs are both amphibians, with similar life cycles, going from egg to tadpole with a tail, to tailless toadlet (or froglet) to adult. Both can be found in ponds and other wetlands, but toads often get a bad reputation for having warts (or causing them!) due to the fact that their skin is dry and leathery, while a frog retains a shiny wet look even when not in the water.

Answer: Fish

Fathead minnows are freshwater fish that can be found in ponds almost all over Canada and the United States. They reproduce several times in a season, and are often used to stock ponds as food for larger fish. Fatheads, also known as tuffy, are omnivores feeding on such things as insects, algae and even on material that has found its way to the bottom of the pond.

Answer: Fish

Goby is a term that is applied to a large number of different fish worldwide, only some of whom are pond dwellers. For backyard ponds the marbled goby and dragon goby are among those that can survive in a freshwater setting. Because they are carnivorous, they will eat smaller fish in the pond - possibly some fatheads?

Answer: Fish

Stickleback is another term that covers a variety of fish, characterised by spiny projections along their backs. One such is the three-spined stickleback, a small fish found in British ponds, lakes and rivers. Despite its small size it is a predator, feeding on tadpoles and smaller fish. The male will also become aggressive when guarding eggs in the nest.

Answer: Insect

Backswimmers are carnivorous water bugs that travel across the water belly up, propelling themselves with their third pair of legs. They eat tadpoles and immature fish, and sometimes fall prey to larger fish. They have the ability to fly, but need to come ashore and flip right side up before they can take wing. Sometimes they are mistaken for water boatmen, but more of that later.

Answer: Insect

Pond skaters can be found all over Europe, living on the surfaces of ponds, ditches and other still or slow-moving water. Also known as water striders, they are able to move across the water's surface using their long long, legs to take advantage of surface tension. They feed on smaller insects.

Answer: Insect

Although they are similar to, and often mistaken for, backswimmers, water boatmen are a different bug inhabiting a similar habitat. Water boatmen feed at the bottom of ponds, collecting diatoms, algae and small insects found there as they swim along, belly down, propelling themselves with a rowing motion.

The male's mating call is said to be so loud that, for their size, these are the loudest animals on earth.

Answer: Mammal

The muskrat is a semi-aquatic rodent, native to North America, that has been introduced to other parts of the world. Although they look a bit like a beaver, they are not of the same family and, despite their name, they are not rats. They live in families of parents and young, and make burrows in the banks of ponds, streams or lakes.

These burrows have underwater entrances for protection. They are omnivores, and are themselves a food source for larger animals (sometimes including humans). They have also been trapped for their fur, which is said to be very warm.

Answer: Mammal

The Eurasian water shrew is found throughout those two continents, living near ponds, ditches and other freshwater sources. It is not as small as some shrews, and has a long snout, and venomous saliva, which can be used to subdue prey. It can swim underwater for short periods, and has burrows near the water. The American (or northern) water shrew prefers streams and springs to ponds.

Answer: Mammal

European water voles are rodents that live near water, including ponds, streams and ditches, for the short life span of about five months in the wild. Besides burrows in the banks of these water sources, they will sometimes build nests in reed beds. They feed on vegetation and are adept at swimming and diving.

The misnomer "water rat" might be partially the result of the character Ratty in "The Wind in the Willows", being, in fact, a water vole.

Answer: Other

Leeches, like earthworms, are annelids or segmented worms. Not all leeches are bloodsucking parasites, though many are. Found in most parts of the world, the freshwater leech's preferred habitat is in the vegetation around the edges of a pond or other source of slow-moving water. Most sources advise that pond leeches are not dangerous to humans, but that one might find the sensation of having a leech attached to oneself unpleasant and therefore to be avoided.

Answer: Other

The pied-billed grebe is a water bird that can be found in ponds in both North and South America, the latter year round. Its name comes from its two-toned bill, which is bluish with a black stripe or band. Because their feet are placed far back on their body they can't walk on land, but they are good swimmers and divers, and can fly (but do so rarely).

They dive for food, such as crustaceans, tadpoles and sometimes plants.

Answer: Other

The red-eared slider is a reptile, more specifically a semi-aquatic turtle, sometimes called the red-eared terrapin. It is native to the Midwestern USA, and is also a popular pet in other parts if the world. Those that are not pets can be found in and around ponds, streams and other sources of warm, still or slow-flowing water.

They are omnivorous, though adults tend to eat more vegetation. Most of their time is spent in the water, except when they emerge to sunbathe on a rock or other projection.