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Aardvarks Trivia Quiz

Aardvarks are among fascinating wild species which are lesser known by many. Knowledge of these species may be essential in conservation efforts. Let's have fun.

A multiple-choice quiz by Popramah3. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
Popramah3

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
415,412

Updated
Feb 19 24

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
7 / 10

Plays
97

Last 3 plays: gracious1 (7/10), Guest 85 (2/10), Nhoj_too (6/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What is the scientific name of the aardvark?

Orycteropus afer

Proteles cristatus

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of these statements describes aardvarks as living fossils? Hint

They have similar genetic composition to their pre-historic ancestors

They are on verge of extinction in the wild

Their remains can traced only through excavation

They are rarely seen

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Question 3 of 10

3. Aardvarks are good swimmers.

True

False

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of these terms means aardvarks have feet which are adapted for digging burrows? Hint

Arboreal

Fossorial

Scansorial

Cursorial

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Question 5 of 10

5. Why do aardvarks have poor vision? Hint

Their retinas contain only rods

Their retinas have no rods and cones

Their retinas contain only cones

Their retinas have both rods and cones

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Question 6 of 10

6. Aardvarks and pigs share physical similarities such as a stout body, snout and having a thick subcutaneous fat layer under their skin.

True

False

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which of these terms means aardvarks feed on ants and termites? Hint

Myrmecophagy

Durophagy

Ophiophagy

Mucophagy

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is unique about aardvarks' teeth? Hint

Adults have no teeth at all

Adults have incisors, canines, molars and pre-molars

Adults have only molars and pre-molars

Adults have only incisors and canines

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Question 9 of 10

9. The aardvark has a stomach structure which has a similar function to which of these, more associated with birds?

Gizzard

Proventriculus

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which term among the following means that aardvarks have disproportionately large effect on survival and abundance of other species as well as maintaining structure of the ecosystem?

Flagship species

Keystone species

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What is the scientific name of the aardvark?

Answer: Orycteropus afer

The binomial name of an aardvark is made up from the generic name "Orycteropus" and specific name "afer". The species is monotypic, meaning is the sole member of its genus.

Proteles cristatus is the scientific name of the aardwolf.

2. Which of these statements describes aardvarks as living fossils?

Answer: They have similar genetic composition to their pre-historic ancestors

As other species evolve, aardvarks have remained relatively unchanged from around 50 millions years ago when they first appeared.

They are the sole members of the order Tubulidentata. The etymology of the order comes from the Latin word "tubulis"(tube) and "dentis"(tooth). This refers to the unique tubular teeth that aardvarks have.

3. Aardvarks are good swimmers.

Answer: True

Aardvarks have webbed feet which play a crucial role in swimming. Aardvarks are also known to resist strong water currents. Their ears also play a part in the orientation of swimming direction.

4. Which of these terms means aardvarks have feet which are adapted for digging burrows?

Answer: Fossorial

They have strong feet, each with shovel-like nails or claws. Aardvarks are known to dig burrows which are about ten meters long.

Arboreal describes species adapted for climbing trees. Cursorial describes species adapted for running on open terrain. Scansorial describes species adapted for climbing vertical surfaces.

5. Why do aardvarks have poor vision?

Answer: Their retinas contain only rods

Having only rods in their retinas, aardvarks are better adapted for night vision and are nocturnal by nature. By having only rods, aardvarks are color blind.

6. Aardvarks and pigs share physical similarities such as a stout body, snout and having a thick subcutaneous fat layer under their skin.

Answer: False

Aardvarks have a lean muscular layer with very little subcutaneous fat. This is because they have evolved to live in warm climates. Aardvarks have a high metabolic rate at night so having a fat layer would be an energy intensive burden, especially as they live in burrows.

Flagship species are species which are selected to represent and raise awareness on conservation.

7. Which of these terms means aardvarks feed on ants and termites?

Answer: Myrmecophagy

Having an acute sense of smell, aardvarks locate termites mounds and they can consume up to 50000 ants or termites in a single night.

Ophiophaghy describes specialization in eating snakes. Durophagy describes feeding on hard-shells or exoskeletons. Mucophagy describes feeding on mucus.

8. What is unique about aardvarks' teeth?

Answer: Adults have only molars and pre-molars

Aardvarks are born with four incisors which soon fall away. The other teeth are not calcified but instead they have cementum as their base. The remaining teeth grow continuously.

9. The aardvark has a stomach structure which has a similar function to which of these, more associated with birds?

Answer: Gizzard

Aardvarks swallow without chewing their food, or after chewing very little. The gizzard-like stomach plays a vital role in mechanically grinding their food.

10. Which term among the following means that aardvarks have disproportionately large effect on survival and abundance of other species as well as maintaining structure of the ecosystem?

Answer: Keystone species

Due to their burrowing activities, aardvarks have greater impacts on other species. Insects and other mammals use their abandoned burrows as their habitat and thermal refuge.

Source: Author Popramah3

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