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Spreading Species Trivia Quiz

Introduced or exotic species spread from their original habitat to new areas either through intentional or accidental means and often become pests. Do you know the which, where and why of these species?

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

Author
pusdoc

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
267,442

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
862

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

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. Hint

rabbits

camels

fox

cane toads

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

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. Hint

wolverines

grizzly bears

raccoons

coyotes

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

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? Hint

Caspian Sea

Adriatic Sea

Tasman Sea

Coral Sea

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. European starlings now inhabit all of the U.S. They were initially released in 1890 in New York City's Central Park. Why? Hint

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? Hint

they don't - the name refers to their red color

bite

sting

spray venom

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

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? Hint

Germany

England

China

New Zealand

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

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. Hint

Madagascar

Kauai

Guam

New Zealand, South Island

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

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? Hint

cavy

coypu

coney

chinchilla

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. These insects don't cause much damage in their home country, but are especially destructive to roses in the US. Hint

Japanese beetles

Mediterranean fruit fly

Gypsy moths

Argentine ant

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

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. Hint

red deer

goats

caribou

moose

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

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.

Answer: camels

Camels were brought in as pack animals during railroad expansion. Unlike the other suggested answers, they do not have a huge negative impact on the ecosystem. There are an estimated 500,000 camels roaming Australia, both Bactrian and dromedaries.

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.

Answer: raccoons

The German name comes from the raccoon's habit of "washing" food in water before consuming it.

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?

Answer: Caspian Sea

To avoid spreading the problem, responsible boaters need to thoroughly clean and scrape their vessels before moving them to a new body of water.

4. European starlings now inhabit all of the U.S. They were initially released in 1890 in New York City's Central Park. Why?

Answer: because they were mentioned by Shakespeare

Eugene Schieffelin was a member of the Acclimitization Society, and by report (now disputed) decided to introduce every creature mentioned by Shakespeare to the US. A crazy plan, and the birds are noisy and produce voluminous quantities of guano wherever they congregate.

They also compete with native songbirds for nesting sites. Schieffelin tried to establish bullfinches, chaffinches, skylarks and nightingales with less success.

Answer: sting

Fire ants are believed to have entered the US at the port of Mobile in the early 20th century. They are omnivorous, and thus wreak havoc on animal and plant life in the areas they have commandeered. When they attack, they do bite, but that is to hold on while they curve around to sting, which they can do repeatedly.

The venom contains a toxic alkaloid; most people react by developing a small collection of pus at the site.

Answer: England

The native red squirrel is not as efficient at gathering food or securing nesting sites, giving the grey squirrel a survival advantage. They are also causing trouble in Italy.

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.

Answer: Guam

The snakes also cause problems with electric wires. They are equal opportunity marauders, eating mammals and lizards as well as birds.

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?

Answer: coypu

They destroy local vegetation, erode riverbanks and crowd out native animals.

9. These insects don't cause much damage in their home country, but are especially destructive to roses in the US.

Answer: Japanese beetles

All of the choices are invasive species. The Japanese beetles were first found in New Jersey; they probably arrived with imported bulbs.

Answer: red deer

Goats have been introduced to many areas of the world and have caused extensive loss of endemic species through voracious foraging and habitat destruction. This has been most pronounced on islands visited during prolonged sea voyages. However, they were never hunted for trophies, unlike red deer.

Source: Author pusdoc

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