I've Got My 'Aye-Aye' On You! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Monkeys

Lemurs first appeared approximately 60 million years ago, but in all other parts of the world the emergence of intelligent and adaptable monkeys 17-23 million years ago drove them to extinction, although some nocturnal, solitary, insect eaters like lorises and bushbabies hung on. Those of you who chose man should know that the most destructive primate only arrived approximately 500,000 years ago.

Answer: Woodpeckers

Aye-ayes have an amazingly long middle finger, which they use to tap on wood to locate hollow areas with larvae hidden inside. They then use their strong teeth to break open the tree, as a woodpecker does with its beak, to get to their food, using the long finger to remove their prey as woodpeckers use their long, sticky tongues.

Answer: False

Although a few people regard it as lucky, unfortunately the majority of inhabitants of Madagascar have long regarded it as an ill omen and have killed it on sight. Some legends say that the aye-aye pointing its long finger at you is a harbinger of death, others that the mere appearance of an aye-aye is an evil portent.

This and habitat loss are both a great danger to this unique animal.

Answer: Douglas Adams

Douglas Adams, creator of 'The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy', produced a radio series about endangered species, called 'Last Chance to See' with Mark Carwadine, and a book of the same name. Stephen Fry retraced his steps and met the principal cast list. Terry Pratchett is a great supporter of the Orangutan Foundation.

Answer: Gerald Durrell

In 1990, the great Gerald Durrell travelled to Madagascar to take back some of their endangered animals (including the aye-aye) for breeding in order to preserve them to be returned to Madagascar. 'The Aye-aye and I', published in 1992 was, sadly, his last book before his death in 1995. However, his work lives on with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust.

Answer: Duke University, NC

Although thankfully all the answers have successfully bred aye-ayes, the first was born at Duke University's primate centre and named 'Blue Devil' after the university mascot. With endangered animals that are confined to a small area, breeding of captive animals is essential, in case something wipes out the indigenous pool.

This was never better proved than in the case of Père David's deer, which was extirpated in its native China following the Boxer rebellion but survived thanks to herds being bred in Europe.

Answer: Rodentia

Appearances can be deceptive! Despite its rodent-like characteristics, the aye-aye is actually a primate (just like us!) and is the sole living member of the family Daubentoniidae (Daubentonia madagascariensis). Another, Daubentonia robusta, was the giant aye-aye, but it became extinct within the last 1,000 years and is known only from fossils. Let us hope that this fate does not overtake the aye-aye!

Answer: Nests

Ayes are solitary (except for mothers and babies) and nocturnal, living in nests high in the tree tops. Each animal has several nests, and they occupy other aye-ayes' nests when vacant. Babies are 'parked' in a nest for their first few months.

Answer: One

After 2-3 years a female is ready for breeding, but only comes into season once every 2-3 years. There is no set breeding season, and the aye-aye gives birth to a single infant after a gestation of approximately 180 days.

Answer: Nosy Mangabe

I made all the wrong answers up. Nosy Mangabe means 'Big Blue' in Malagasy (the language of Madagascar). It is also home to many different lemurs and reptiles. I hope that you have enjoyed the quiz on one of this planet's most fascinating creatures.