Spreading Species

15 Points Per Correct Answer - No time limit  

1. These animals were brought to Australia from Asia between 1840 and 1907; many were abandoned and now are feral in arid areas, especially Western Australia. rabbits camels fox cane toads

2. Goering signed the order to release these North American mammals into German forests for hunters to target. These "waschbaeren" are now a nuisance, spreading through Europe. grizzly bears racoons coyotes wolverines

3. Zebra mussels were accidentally introduced to North American waters by boat traffic. They have choked out many native species. Where are they originally from? Tasman Sea Caspian Sea Adriatic Sea Coral Sea

4. European starlings now inhabit all of the U.S. They were initially released in 1890 in New York City's Central Park. Why? to help control mosquitos because they were mentioned by Shakespeare because they have a melodious song the culprit remembered them from childhood

5. Fire ants spread from South America to North America via ship's ballast. These tiny aggravations swarm over hapless victims who stumble over the mounds they build. How do they cause the pain referenced in the name "fire" ant? bite they don't - the name refers to their red color spray venom sting

6. Grey squirrels are fun to watch, scampering from tree to tree and using ingenious methods to acquire food, especially if you try to keep them out of a bird feeder. Native to North America, they were introduced to which of the following countries, where they are endangering indigenous squirrels? Germany New Zealand China England

7. Brown tree snakes probably traveled to new regions by slithering aboard ships undetected. They arrived on this island and quickly decimated the native bird population by raiding nests. Guam New Zealand, South Island Kauai Madagascar

8. Nutria were originally native to South America, but were introduced to almost every other continent (not Antarctica) for the fur trade. By what other name is this prolific rodent known? coypu coney cavy chinchilla

9. These insects don't cause much damage in their home country, but are especially destructive to roses in the US. Japanese beetles Mediterranean fruit fly Gypsy moths Argentine ant

10. These quadrupeds were introduced to New Zealand and to parts of South America, predominantly for trophy hunting. In Argentina, they are becoming a nuisance in national parks, and threaten the habitat of the native guanaco. caribou red deer goats moose