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The Weasel Family - Mustelidae Quiz

All the following questions are about members of the family Mustelidae, the Weasel family.

A multiple-choice quiz by lothruin. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
lothruin

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
30,548

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1433

Last 3 plays: Guest 172 (5/10), Guest 72 (4/10), Guest 68 (6/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the following is NOT a member of the family Mustelidae? Hint

Raccoon

Otter

Polecat

Badger

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Question 2 of 10

2. The only truly domestic member of family Mustelidae is the domestic ferret. In which state in the US is this animal still listed on the wild animals roster, and hence illegal to own as a pet? Hint

Alaska

Oklahoma

California

Florida

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which species formerly of family Mustelidae was misrepresented as a European species by a popular Looney Tunes character?

Answer: (One Word)

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Question 4 of 10

4. What member of Mustelidae's population was nearly wiped out entirely when farmers began using poison on prairie dogs, this animal's natural prey? Hint

Aplodontia rufa nigra

Leopardus pardalis

Mustelidae Enhydra lutris nereis

Mustela nigripes

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which aquatic member of Mustelidae is often depicted half submerged, belly up, cracking open large clams? Hint

Wolverine

Sea Otter

Badger

Fisher

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which smallest member of family Mustelidae is the also smallest member of order Carnivora? Hint

Little Spotted Skunk

American Pine Marten

Hairy Nosed Otter

Least Weasel

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Question 7 of 10

7. Several bodily characteristics help define members of family Mustelidae. Among those is the bone structure of the feet. From the following, can you select the appropriate foot structure? Hint

Five toes and a dewclaw

Four toes

Five toes

Four toes and a dewclaw

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Question 8 of 10

8. Most members of Mustelidae are hunted for their soft, luxurious pelts. However, one in particular has become a staple in fur farms across the world. Can you name it?

Answer: (One word)

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Question 9 of 10

9. What member of the Mustelidae family is so ferocious that a superhero chose to take its name? Hint

Ferret

Raccoon

Wolverine

Beaver

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Question 10 of 10

10. What member of Mustelidae is known for its intricate familial structure, often mating for life, and passing territories on to descendants for generations? Perhaps this is why this animal is often perceived as being highly aggressive, especially when protecting its young? Hint

European Polecat

Irish Stoat

European Badger

American Mink

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Apr 09 2024 : Guest 172: 5/10
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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following is NOT a member of the family Mustelidae?

Answer: Raccoon

The family Mustelidae is a diverse family, the largest of the order Carnivora. Raccoons are a member of family Procyonidae.

2. The only truly domestic member of family Mustelidae is the domestic ferret. In which state in the US is this animal still listed on the wild animals roster, and hence illegal to own as a pet?

Answer: California

The domestic ferret is a subspecies of the European Polecat, Mustela Putorius. No feral populations of the domestic ferret are known to exist in the US.

3. Which species formerly of family Mustelidae was misrepresented as a European species by a popular Looney Tunes character?

Answer: Skunk

Skunks are native to most parts of North America and Mexico, but no known skunk species are native to France. :-) There has recently been a push to grant Skunks their own taxonomical family. Some universities now place them in the family Mephitidae, the Skunk family, based on certain genetic evidence which may prove their split from other members of Mustelidae goes further back than once believed.

The reclassification is still being debated, and that may continue for some time, however I believe it will likely stick.

This just proves taxonomy is a tricky business.

4. What member of Mustelidae's population was nearly wiped out entirely when farmers began using poison on prairie dogs, this animal's natural prey?

Answer: Mustela nigripes

Mustela nigripes, the Black-Footed Ferret, is the only ferret native to North America. Its natural habitat ranged from Southern Canada to Texas, cutting a broad swath through the central and western United States. Currently the unfortunate Black-Footed Ferret is extinct in the wild, though efforts are being taken to cultivate and reintroduce populations throughout the ferret's habitat.

The Mustelidae Enhydra lutris nereis is the Southern Sea Otter. Aplodontia rufa nigra is the Point Arena Mountain Beaver. Leopardus pardalis is the ocelot. All four of these species are listed on the US Fish and Wildlife Service Endangered Species list.

5. Which aquatic member of Mustelidae is often depicted half submerged, belly up, cracking open large clams?

Answer: Sea Otter

The Sea Otter has developed the ability to use rocks as a clam-cracking tool. They are also known to wrap themselves in kelp to prevent drifting during sleep. Quite the clever critter.

6. Which smallest member of family Mustelidae is the also smallest member of order Carnivora?

Answer: Least Weasel

These tiny mustelids are found in the northern portions of North America, as far south as North Carolina, Northern Asia, and Japan. A population was introduced to New Zealand as well.

7. Several bodily characteristics help define members of family Mustelidae. Among those is the bone structure of the feet. From the following, can you select the appropriate foot structure?

Answer: Five toes

Members of the family Mustelidae have five toes on each foot. Some species have partially retractable claws, but in all cases, the claws on the feet of mustelids are weight-bearing. This means mustelids canNOT be declawed.

8. Most members of Mustelidae are hunted for their soft, luxurious pelts. However, one in particular has become a staple in fur farms across the world. Can you name it?

Answer: Mink

From coats, which can use many hundred pelts, to collars, which may only use two or three, the mink's fur has been a prized pelt for centuries. While wild mink fur is still more prestigious, the ranch-raised fur is most common, and most affordable. In fact, the domestic ferret has been raised for an even more affordable version of this highly sought-after item.

It is known as 'fitch.' No reputable ferret breeders in the US sell domestic ferrets for fur.

9. What member of the Mustelidae family is so ferocious that a superhero chose to take its name?

Answer: Wolverine

The wolverine is one of the most fearless members of the Mustelidae family. It is so vicious, in fact, that besides humans, it has no natural predators.

Answer: European Badger

Many species of badger mate for life, and live in nuclear families. Their young stay with the parents until they inherit the familial burrows, or 'setts.'

Source: Author lothruin

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