A French Walk on the Wild Side part two Quiz

Answer: red

The red squirrel, "ecureuil roux", is far more common in France than the U.K. Reasons for this include fewer grey squirrels, and an abundance of dense forest.
Rather than hibernating, they sit out the worst of the weather in their dreys. It's thought that around 75% of juvenile squirrels do not survive the winter in colder regions.
Not particularly shy and active through the day, they are often seen near human habitations. Delightful creatures to watch!

Answer: Their teeth slowly wear out so they cannot feed anymore

The chamois is an extremely agile goat - antelope type mammal(Rupicapra) which lives in the mountainous Alpine, Jura and Pyrenees regions of France. They grow up to 80cms high and can weigh up to 60kg, however, during winter they can lose up to half of their body weight.

Answer: Turns blue

My wife has always told me that green should never be seen with a colour in-between, obviously the "lézard vert" has not been told!
It can measure up to 40 cm in length and can be found in the north west, west, south west and southern France.
It's sometimes timid, sometimes happy to sit and watch you. It often needs rescuing from swimming pools but watch out, it bites!

Answer: common genet

The genet "genette", is a native mammal of Africa, and was introduced to the south west of France in the 12th century by the Saracens who used them to catch rodents in their homes before the role was taken over by the domestic cat. Its body is similar to a domestic cat, with distinctive spot 'like' markings on its grey/brown fur. Its head is small and pointed, with large ears.
"Ragondin" is the French name for coypu.

Answer: The French Alps

The Alpine ibex, a wild goat, more commonly known by its German name "steinbock" lives at high altitudes (up to 4,500 metres) above the tree line. It frequently comes down in the early evening for a gourmand meal in the lush Alpine meadows. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, after 150 years of protection, it is no longer in danger and due to the inhospitable region it inhabits has few predators.
It can grow up to a metre in height and weigh up to 100kg.

Answer: beech marten

The beech marten is considered a bit of a pest. Its preferred habitat is attics, out buildings and barns, and they can cause substantial damage.
It's also known as the "stone marten" and can grow to a length of 50cm. It is weasel-like, long, slender and short legged.
Widespread throughout Europe.

Answer: All tree frogs hibernate for at least 5 months

The stripeless frog "rainette méridionale" is limited to the warmer areas of France. Unlike many other frogs it can tolerate salt so is found in coastal waters and is active for most of the year and often spends more time on the ground.
The common tree frog "rainette arboricole" usually hibernates October to March and although spends little time on the ground, is wide spread and, so I'm told sings louder.
Both mostly nocturnal, and the first time I heard one mistook it for a night bird.

Answer: European mink

The European mink, known in French as "Le Vison d'Europe", is now rare across Europe and is currently only found in France in the 5 departments of Aquitaine.
Reasons for its decline include the introduction of the American mink in the 1920's, poisoning and trapping meant for rodents, such as the coypu, and possibly a new or introduced disease. In 2004 research found that 10% of European mink and otters in Aquitaine had been poisoned by anticoagulants used regularly to poison coypu, muskrats and other rodents.

Answer: Alpine marmot

The alpine marmot (Marmota marmota), has a wide head with prominent eyes and a short furry tail. It is covered with thick, grey-coloured fur. As well as the Alps it is can be found in the Pyrenees, where it is currently being re-introduced following extinction.

Answer: wasp

The hornet "frelon" is about 5cm long and is much larger than the wasp "guêpe". They are far less likely to bother you, but the sting is unforgettable! Hornets like to build nests in chimneys and trees. They are only likely to attack if you approach their nests.

Wasps on the other hand seem to enjoy disturbing Homo sapiens eating outside!