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Quiz about The Outside Matters Too
Quiz about The Outside Matters Too

The Outside Matters Too Trivia Quiz


It is what allows us to easily identify animals, and it is what makes many of the earth's creatures so eye-catching. Take this quiz to test your knowledge of skin, scales, feathers and fur.

A multiple-choice quiz by doublemm. Estimated time: 4 mins.
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Author
doublemm
Time
4 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
328,079
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
7 / 10
Plays
715
Awards
Top 20% Quiz
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Question 1 of 10
1. Insects are masters of disguise and have evolved to blend into just about any background. Of what material is their remarkable exoskeleton primarily composed? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. Electrogenesis is the production of an electrical discharge by an animal. Whilst this is done by abdominal organs in the electric eel, there is an animal which produces this electricity in its skin. Which animal is this? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Fur, which is unique to mammals, is essential for some species due to its use as an insulator of heat. Which animal has the densest fur known to man? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. A master of brawling, which animal is able to roll around in its own skin, making it very difficult for any predator to get ahold of it? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Amongst the most colourful creatures on earth are butterflies.

Many of the patterns on butterflies' wings are actually made from tiny scales.


Question 6 of 10
6. This animal is covered in placoid scales, which are very similar in structure to its own teeth. It is no surprise, therefore, that they are so coarse to touch.

Which animal is being discussed here?
Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. Which animal, in response to the extreme cold of its habitat, has evolved the longest fur in the animal kingdom? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. As well as playing an essential role in flight, the feathers of birds are known for their insulating properties. Some of the best insulating feathers come from the common eider, and are used to form their nests, as well as being a traditional pillow filling for us humans. What type of bird is the common eider? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. Snakes are slithering proof that scales can take on just about any colour.

Even the eye of a snake is covered by a scale.


Question 10 of 10
10. Grooming is very important amongst some mammals, allowing for pests to be removed from one's fur. Which of these is *not* another reason why mammals groom one another? Hint



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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Insects are masters of disguise and have evolved to blend into just about any background. Of what material is their remarkable exoskeleton primarily composed?

Answer: Chitin

Chitin is a carbohydrate, not a protein, but serves much the same purpose as proteins such as keratin. In organisms such as insects, arachnids and crustaceans, chitin makes up the protective exoskeleton. Exoskeletons are not always made from chitin, however, as bone and dentine can perform the same function.

Chitin is also the substance which makes up the cell walls of fungal cells.
2. Electrogenesis is the production of an electrical discharge by an animal. Whilst this is done by abdominal organs in the electric eel, there is an animal which produces this electricity in its skin. Which animal is this?

Answer: The electric catfish

The electric catfish is an elongated fish found in the tropical waters of Africa. Like the electric eel, this fish discharges electricity to stun prey or deter predators. However, unlike the eel, the electric catfish produces a large potential difference using special cells found in their skin.

Electric eels can produce shocks of up to 500 V. Curiously, electric eels are not true eels, and obtain up to 80% of their oxygen from breathing air.
3. Fur, which is unique to mammals, is essential for some species due to its use as an insulator of heat. Which animal has the densest fur known to man?

Answer: The sea otter

The sea otter has more hair in one square centimetre of its body than a human has on his entire head (100,000+). Sea otters need such dense fur so as to keep themselves warm, as they spend almost all of their time in the water. This distinguishes the sea otter from other otters, which live on both land and in water.
4. A master of brawling, which animal is able to roll around in its own skin, making it very difficult for any predator to get ahold of it?

Answer: The honey badger

The skin of the honey badger is very loose, meaning it can literally move about within itself.

As mentioned in the question, this animal is known for tussling with other, often much larger, animals. The honey badger actually holds the Guinness world record for being the most fearless animal (it even took home the gold medal in my "Animalympics" quiz for its fighting ability ;)).
5. Amongst the most colourful creatures on earth are butterflies. Many of the patterns on butterflies' wings are actually made from tiny scales.

Answer: True

The order which butterflies and moths belong to - Lepidoptera - actually means "scale wing". The tiny scales of the butterfly are not limited to their wings, but are also found on their heads, legs and thoraxes.
6. This animal is covered in placoid scales, which are very similar in structure to its own teeth. It is no surprise, therefore, that they are so coarse to touch. Which animal is being discussed here?

Answer: A shark

Placoid scales are responsible for the rough, abrasive texture of a shark's skin. Unlike other types of scale (cosmoid, ganoid and leptoid), placoid scales do not grow as the animal grows, but instead the number of scales covering the animal simply increases.

Sharks' skin can be used to make a type of leather called shagreen, and can even be used as a replacement for sandpaper.
7. Which animal, in response to the extreme cold of its habitat, has evolved the longest fur in the animal kingdom?

Answer: The musk ox

The fur of the musk ox is double layered. There is a short, bushy undercoat, and an outer (or "guard") coat. It is the hair of this outer coat which can grow to lengths of up to three feet. Whilst providing warmth for these animals, this long hair poses a problem, as the animal's own faeces often become entangled in it.

The musk ox is named for the musky smell which is emitted by the animal when trying to find a mate.
8. As well as playing an essential role in flight, the feathers of birds are known for their insulating properties. Some of the best insulating feathers come from the common eider, and are used to form their nests, as well as being a traditional pillow filling for us humans. What type of bird is the common eider?

Answer: A duck

The feathers used for insulation are contour feathers, which are small and fluffy, and which cover the bodies of birds. They are very different in appearance to flight feathers, which are longer and can be found on the wings and tails of birds.

The feathers of the eider duck are incredibly good at keeping in heat, and are plucked from the mother's breast to line their nests. David Attenborough, in his 1979 "Life" series, said that, at that time, man had failed to come up with a material that could insulate heat better than the feathers of the eider duck.
9. Snakes are slithering proof that scales can take on just about any colour. Even the eye of a snake is covered by a scale.

Answer: True

This scale (or brille or spectacle) is clear and covers the entire area of the eye. This compensates for the snake's lack of eyelids, which distinguishes it from other reptiles, such as the slow worm.

The rattle of a rattlesnake is made from unshed scales.
10. Grooming is very important amongst some mammals, allowing for pests to be removed from one's fur. Which of these is *not* another reason why mammals groom one another?

Answer: To remove excess hair/fur in the summer

Perhaps the best examples of grooming are seen in groups of primates. For example, chimps and gorillas spend much of their time grooming. The individual who is groomed the most will be the most dominant member of the group.

Skin, as well as fur, is significant in primates when it comes to social interaction. Many great apes have bare faces, allowing their numerous and complex facial gestures to be clearly communicated with one another.

Whilst grooming, the sea otter (which we met earlier in this quiz) will blow into its dense fur, trapping bubbles of air, which acts to insulate the animal.
Source: Author doublemm

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