Could This Be Their End? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Honey Bee

Bees are said to be "managed" rather than "domesticated" - as that term would apply to some birds and mammals. Most likely the early human beings noticed other animals were "robbing" the bees' nests for their honey and thus the practice began. Apiculture (beekeeping) is an interesting activity and the bees are fascinating creatures. Did you know that the wings of a bee flap about 12,000 times per minutes (no wonder they buzz!) and a single bee colony can contain up to 60,000 bees? The benefits of honey are many and varied.

A list of the benefits of honey may include use as a sweetener, to promote weight loss, to boost energy, to supplement a diet with vitamins and minerals, as an antiseptic and/or antioxidant, for skin care and to speed wound healing.

Answer: Western Diamondback Rattlesnake

It is a western diamondback rattlesnake that is shown. The western diamondback rattlesnakes (on average) are a bit smaller in length and weight than the eastern diamondback rattlesnakes. The "rattle" at the end of the snake's tail is a series of loosely, overlapping segments of keratin. Contrary to the adage, a rattlesnake's age (in years) does NOT match the number of segments of its rattle. Each time the snake sheds its skin - which can once each year or several times each year - a new segment is formed. Also, trauma can cause a segment (or, segments) to be damaged or broken-off completely, thus altering the number of segments added to its tail each year.

Answer: Spiny-tailed lizard

The spiny-tailed or uromastyx or mastigure is a lizard found in all levels of elevation - sea level to mountainous - where there are areas that provide good shelter and adequate food supply. The diet of these lizards is almost entirely plant-life. Occasionally, the uromastyx may eat small insects - particularly the immature lizard - but a diet of plant-life is sufficient. Spiny-tailed lizards can be excellent pets for those who have an interest in keeping reptiles but may not be for the novice since they do need specific diet and climate controls to thrive.

Unfortunately, as with other species, this adaptability makes them an easy target for unregulated (and, often unscrupulous) trade. In many countries the spiny-tailed lizard is under protected status.

As it should be with any pet adoption, know your resource before you consider a purchase.

Answer: Humpback whale

It is a humpback whale. Its tail (or, fluke) has been described as frayed - like the bottom of your favorite pair of jeans. It is the only whale to have this characteristic. The humpback whale is generally very calm, curious and its normal breaching (rising part or all of its body above the surface of the water) can be impressive to watch.

This demeanor makes it a favorite of whale watchers, worldwide. One oceanic organization estimated that of all the (leisure-time) photos taken of whales during the first ten years of the 21st century well over half of all of those were of humpback whales.

It would be a delightful challenge to "frame the shot" of something that is more than 45 feet long and weighs more than 75,000 pounds and is moving, in the water. Delightful, indeed.

Answer: Cottontail rabbit

It is the cottontail rabbit. There are several species of the cottontail rabbit indigenous to the area mentioned in the question; the eastern cottontail rabbit is the most common. As are almost all wildlife, rabbits are opportunistic eaters. Thus, they are often viewed as a pest and can be difficult to discourage from a viable food source.

In the wild, cottontail rabbits live only about two or three years, on average. Rabbits can run nearly 20 miles per hour for short distances, yet, they have a relatively small "home range"; they tend to live their entire lifespan within ten square acres, or less.

By the way, not all cottontail rabbits have a tail that is pure white. The tail fur of some species of cottontail rabbits can be almost solid grey or brownish - very close to the overall color of their body.

Answer: Red fox

It is the red fox. It is usually bigger (both by weight and overall body length) than the gray fox which is often indigenous to the same area. It can be a challenge to recognize which fox is which because the red fox can be red but it can also be mostly gray or grayish-brown to russet in color.

The gray fox can be mostly gray but it can be very reddish-brown to tan in color, too. To quickly distinguish which is which remember the red fox will have all black socks and a white tip on its (very bushy!) tail - as shown in the photo.

The gray fox will have a black tip on its tail. Of course, there are many other differences and similarities but those are easy to spot and identify even with a fox on the run and/or seen from the rear.

Answer: Lion

Very few animals are more distinguishable than the male lion because most adult male lions have a beautiful, lush mane. One adage about that mane is "the darker and thicker the mane, the healthier the lion". That would be rather sensible. Nonetheless, it is an impressive feature. Both male and female lions have the tufted tail - or, brush at the end of the tail (as shown in the photo) and it is used as a way of communication. Lions are said to have the loudest roar of any of the big cats but when there is a time to be quiet they can watch each other and the carriage and/or movement of the tail can tell each other a lot.

The ultimate body language!

Answer: Kangaroo

The kangaroo shown in the photo is a red kangaroo. Its natural habitat covers almost the entire continent of Australia. Although, the kangaroo population has a conservation status level of "least concern" they are protected by the Australian government.

This may be due to their world-wide popularity or it may simply be due to the diversity of their uses as a natural resource. Red kangaroos often live in very large groups and members of those groups share the responsibility of caring for the young kangaroos.

By the way, this is called alloparental care. Female kangaroos have been known to "adopt" the orphans of other females and continue to care for them as if they were their offspring.

Answer: Mandrill

Mandrills are among the largest of the earth's monkeys. Both male and female mandrills can have a multi-color pattern of the hairless area on their face and/or on their genitals and buttocks. Male mandrills have more colorful faces and buttocks than do the female mandrills with a natural multi-color pattern that may include red, pink, blue and purple on both areas.

The mandrill is an omnivore; it eats a varied diet that may include fruits, tree bark, leaves, insects, eggs, rodents and many other animals, if given the opportunity.

The natural size, superb strength and tendency toward aggressive territorialism puts the mandrill "high on the food chain" yet its young can be preyed upon by big cats, big snakes and even large raptor birds who are also share its natural habitat.

Answer: Peacock

It is most correct to refer to the species (in general) as peafowl, with the male being the peacock, the female being the peahen and the young birds being called peachicks. The peacock shown in the photo is an Indian or blue peafowl. As mentioned in the question, the exact purpose of the male's intricate and beautiful train has garnered much debate but at least one study done with feral birds indicated that when "eye spots" (or, vivid parts) of a male's tail are removed (with no harm or other alteration to the bird) that male appeared to be less attractive to female birds than he was before his "trimming".