A Visit to the Zoo, Day Four Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Monarch butterflies are a highlight of insect displays in zoos and butterfly houses. Their long migrations, which span thousands of kilometres from Canada to Mexico, set them apart from other insects. In captivity, they are often featured in educational exhibits that demonstrate metamorphosis and the importance of pollinators. However, it is impossible to recreate the conditions necessary for large-scale migration, so the focus is usually on raising awareness of conservation issues and breeding programmes.

Atlas moths are among the largest moths in the world, with wingspans exceeding 25 centimetres (nearly ten inches). Zoos often display them in tropical insect houses, where visitors can observe their wing patterns, which resemble snake heads and serve as a natural defence against predators. As adult atlas moths only live for a few days and do not feed, zoos concentrate on their breeding cycles, and visitors can witness the complete transformation from caterpillar to moth.

Hercules beetles are popular in insectariums due to their size and strength. They require warm, humid enclosures with plenty of natural substrate for burrowing. Zoos use them to teach visitors about insect biodiversity and the ecological role beetles play in nutrient cycling. However, keeping them healthy in captivity can be a challenge because of their specific life cycle and dietary needs.

European rabbits are often found in children's zoos and educational exhibits. In well-designed enclosures, visitors can observe their social behaviour, such as digging warrens and establishing hierarchies. Although they are considered pests in some regions, zoos use them to educate visitors about human-wildlife interactions and domestication.

Arctic hares are less common in zoos due to the difficulty of recreating their cold tundra habitat. Those kept in captivity require chilled enclosures with rocky terrain and snow or artificial substitutes. They demonstrate how mammals can adapt to extreme climates; however, keeping them outside their native range raises concerns about animal welfare.

Desert cottontails, on the other hand, adapt more readily to zoo environments and thrive in dry, sandy enclosures with ample space for running and hiding. They are used in educational programmes to show desert survival strategies and predator-prey relationships. Their care is less demanding than that of hares adapted to extreme cold.

The American bison is a conservation success story. Once nearly driven to extinction, the species has now rebounded thanks to protected reserves and captive breeding programmes. Zoos often provide large, grassy areas for these magnificent animals.

Ibex species, meanwhile, are often displayed in rocky enclosures that allow them to display their natural climbing skills. Visitors can watch ibex navigate steep slopes and observe their adaptations to mountainous environments. Zoos use them to raise awareness of overhunting and habitat loss in alpine regions.

Water buffalo are significant both ecologically and culturally, as they have been domesticated in many Asian regions. In zoos, they are housed in wetland enclosures with access to water for wallowing and cooling down.