They Can't be Extinct - I Just Caught One! Quiz

Answer: Bermuda petrel

The Bermuda petrel also known as a cahow, is the national bird of Bermuda. Gray and white in color, it is usually nocturnal and spends most of its life flying over the open sea. Reasons for its close call with extinction include the fact that it does not mate until it is at least five years old and only lays one egg a year.

The introduction by European explorers of cats, rats, and dogs to the island had decimated their numbers until they were believed to be extinct. In 2005 a count was conducted and it was announced that there were less than 250 of these birds worldwide. Bermuda has enacted legal protection for these birds and are making attempts to get this bird to the status of a viable species.

Answer: Chacoan peccary

The Chacoan peccary, also called a tagua, is a very unusual animal. It has traits that resemble pigs such as being an ungulate. It has stiff grayish-brown bristly hair. It also has a snout and the noises are similar. It has a more pointed nose and a dark stripe down its back.

It lives in hot dry areas that are dominated by thorny bushes and some succulents. They tend to live in small herds of about 10 individuals and breeding can occur year around depending on the weather and availability of food.

It was not even described until 1930, and that information came from the fossil record. It's main threats are encroachment by man, habitat loss, and fragmentation of populations. At the turn of the century there was an estimated population of about 3,000 Chacoan peccarys.

Answer: Canary Islands

The La Palma giant lizard was found on La Palma Island which is part of the Canary Islands. The other three choices are in the Pacific. This reptile was believed to have been extinct for 500 years. As is so often seen with island species they were believed to have been killed off by introduced species namely the rat.

They were also hunted for food by humans and their habitat was depleted when it was converted to agricultural usage. The individual found in 2007 was over 1 ft. long and was estimated to be about four years of age.

Answer: New Zealand

New Zealand boasts some of the most unique wildlife on the planet. The takahe was believed extinct after the last four known birds were taken from the wild in a failed attempt to save the species in 1898. The takahe is about 2 ft. (63 cm) tall and can weigh as much as 9 lbs (4.2 kg).

This colorful bird is purplish-blue in color with a large red and pink bill. The inside of its wings sport green feathers. Both males and females have the bright colors and they have a loud call. In 2008 the country of New Zealand estimated that there was approximately 250 individuals still alive on South Island.

This bird lays two eggs a year and survival rates are good. But it is long lived and takes four years to reach breeding age. Genetic inbreeding may be responsible for low fertility and may still keep the takahe from regaining its former status as a thriving species.

The cause for decline were introduced species, habitat loss and overhunting.

Answer: Lord Howe Island stick insect

Lord Howe Island stick insect is considered to be one of the rarest insects in the world. This enormous insect was found when 30 individuals were found living underneath a single shrub on the small islet of Ball's Pyramid which is the world smallest and most isolated sea stack.

They were once numerous on Lord Howe Island and were used as fishing bait. In 1918 the supply ship S.S. Makambo ran aground and black rats were released on the island. Within two years the Lord Howe Island Stick Insect was no longer seen.

This brown stick like insect can be up to 6" long and weigh over an ounce. The Melbourne Zoo in Australia now has a pair and are attempting to save the species. They will be reintroduced into Lord Howe Island if a present attempt to rid the island of rats is successful.

Answer: Australia

The monito del monte is a small brown and white mouse-like marsupial found in the humid and dense forests in the highlands of Argentina and Chile. Genetics have shown that the Monito del Monte is more closely related to some of the ancient marsupials of Australia then to the ones from South America.

They are arboreal and build round nests from bamboo leaves and moss. The female gives birth to one to four young which live in her pouch. After leaving her pouch live live on her back and remain with her until they are sexually mature at the age of two.

The name monito del monte is Spanish for "little mountain monkey". It also is known to hibernate when the weather gets too cold, but unlike other mammals this does not occur every year.

Answer: Asian food markets

The Arakan forest turtle was believed to be extinct having last been seen in 1908. In 1994 it was found that this species still survived and was being hunted for its meat in Asian food markets. Still a very rare species it has only been found in the hills of the Arakan forest in Myanmar (Burma).

There are now 14 individuals in captivity but they are very hard to breed. The Atlanta Zoo has the best record with 4 live births over 6 years. They Are usually 10-12" and eat insects, worms, fish and fruit.

They are terrestrial, diurnal, solitary and non-aggressive. Unfortunately, they are still hunted as a food source and for their believed medicinal purposes. Sadly, with its low birth rate, low geographic distribution, and loss of habitat, this is a species that may not survive.

Answer: yellow-tailed woolly monkey

Since all lemurs in the world are found on the island of Madagascar the answer is the yellow-tailed woolly monkey. First described in 1812 based on a pelt, it was seen only rarely and was last spotted around 1900. It had been thought extinct and it was not until a group of scientists funded by the World Wildlife Fund stumbled upon an individual being kept as a pet that anyone even speculated that they still existed.

They are endemic to Peru and have long thick hair for protection from the cold. They are approximately 4 ft long (110 cm) with slightly over half that length being the tail.

They live in large polygamous societies and the main diet is of fruit, leaves and insects. Threats to their continued existence include habitat depletion, low reproductive rate and a restricted geographic distribution all keep this animal at a critically endangered status.

Answer: False

Sadly, the dodo bird appears to be gone forever. As with many isolated island species, outright human slaughter, introduced species and habitat loss spelled the end of this unique bird. The last confirmed sighting of a dodo on its home island of Mauritius was before 1700. And while we should never say never, the chance of rediscovery for this very unique bird is virtually nil.

Answer: coelacanth

The coelacanth was believed to have died out approx. 100 million years ago. It is still considered by many to be a living fossil. It has lived in the depths of the Indian Ocean remaining virtually unchanged until rediscovered in 1938 in a fisherman's boat. it is usually, a steely grayish blue color and its habits are not well known.

There is no real commercial value for this fish as it is foul tasting nor suitable for aquarium living. It has a very small brain and a very small heart. Deep sea trawling for fish is a danger to the continued existence of this mysterious animal.