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The Ultimate The Otter Limits Quiz | Mustelidae-Weasel Family

Otters are my favourite animals, I even have a poster of one on my wall. Challenge title by kyleisalive.

A multiple-choice quiz by zippolover. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
zippolover

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
356,729

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
372

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. There are thirteen living species of otter in the world.

True

False

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Question 2 of 10

2. In what area are otters *NOT* found? Hint

Arctic

Desert

Tropical

They are found in all of these

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which is the smallest species of otter? Hint

Smooth-coated otter

Hairy-nosed otter

Spotted-necked otter

Asian small-clawed otter

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Although the sea otter is the heaviest species of otter, which is the longest? Hint

North American river otter

Hairy-nosed otter

European otter

Giant otter

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Question 5 of 10

5. What happened in 1978 that gave an immediate boost to the number of otters in England's rivers? Hint

Fifty pairs of zoo bred otters were released

Otter hunting was banned

Fishing in rivers was banned

Fifty thousand farm bred salmon were released

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which otter can be found from the Bering Strait in the north and as far south as Japan? Hint

North American river otter

Eurasian otter

Sea otter

Hairy-nosed otter

7. Lutrogale perspicillata maxwelli, commonly known as "Maxwell's otter" after the author of "Ring of Bright Water" Gavin Maxwell, is now thought to be extinct. Where did this species of otter originate? Hint

Iraq

Cuba

Peru

Scotland

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which one of the rarest otter species was thought to have been extinct until 1998, when a few were sighted in southern Asia? Hint

Asian small-clawed otter

Southern river otter

Hairy-nosed otter

Smooth-coated otter

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. Which otter is also often referred to as gato marino: "marine cat"? Hint

Marine otter

European otter

Japanese otter

Neotropical otter

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which species of otter can be found in the most countries and is known as the "common otter"? Hint

Spotted-necked otter

Smooth-coated otter

African clawless otter

European/Eurasian otter

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. There are thirteen living species of otter in the world.

Answer: True

The otter is part of the family Mustelidae which includes weasels and ferrets. The sub-family name is Lutrinae. The thirteen species are spread across seven genera, or type.

2. In what area are otters *NOT* found?

Answer: They are found in all of these

As long as there is a plentiful food supply and nearby rivers, otters can survive anywhere, including desert valleys. Different species have adapted to diverse conditions e.g. sea otters live in salt water whereas other species that may swim in the sea still need access to fresh water.

3. Which is the smallest species of otter?

Answer: Asian small-clawed otter

The Asian small-clawed otters grow to less than a meter from nose to tail tip. They live in large groups with one main breeding pair and prefer shallow waters. Groups of more than twenty have been recorded.

4. Although the sea otter is the heaviest species of otter, which is the longest?

Answer: Giant otter

Giant otter males are usually between 1.5 and 1.7 m (4.9 and 5.6 ft) from head to tail and the females are a little shorter. Generally the males weigh between 26 and 32 kg (57 and 71 lb), whereas the sea otter will weigh up to 45 kg or 99 lb.

5. What happened in 1978 that gave an immediate boost to the number of otters in England's rivers?

Answer: Otter hunting was banned

Due to the rapid decline of the number of otters in English rivers, the ban on hunting otters was introduced in 1978. The Environment Agency announced in 2011 that otters had been re-established in all counties in England.

6. Which otter can be found from the Bering Strait in the north and as far south as Japan?

Answer: Sea otter

Unlike the other species of otters, sea otters spend most of their time in the water. They rely upon air trapped in their fur for insulation as do all otter species, and they do not have blubber the way that most marine mammals do.

Answer: Iraq

Gavin Maxwell was doing research for a book on marshes in Iraq when he was given the otter pup. Upon having the otter checked out by the London Zoological Society, it was found to be a new sub-species of otter and named in his honour.

The alluvial salt marshes of Iraq, which were its home, started to be drained in the 1960s, leading to the loss of habitat and ultimate extinction.

8. Which one of the rarest otter species was thought to have been extinct until 1998, when a few were sighted in southern Asia?

Answer: Hairy-nosed otter

The hairy-nosed otter is very similar to European otter except for the hairs on the moist part of its nose and their feet are fully webbed. The two cannot be confused in the wild as they inhabit different areas.

9. Which otter is also often referred to as gato marino: "marine cat"?

Answer: Marine otter

Marine otters are found usually on shore lines of south western South America with very occasional sightings as far afield as the Falkland Islands. They are one of the smaller otter species.

10. Which species of otter can be found in the most countries and is known as the "common otter"?

Answer: European/Eurasian otter

The European otter is also known as the Eurasian otter as it can be found throughout Europe and much of Asia, as well as some parts of Africa. The smooth-coated otter is only found in a few places in Asia. The African clawless and spotted-necked otters are only found in Africa.

Source: Author zippolover

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