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Quiz about Desert Critters of the Southwest

Desert Critters of the Southwest Quiz

This quiz tests your knowledge of some of the critters you may encounter while visiting the deserts of the Southwest United States. Good luck!

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

Author
jthphoto

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
246,366

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
1595

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which of the following critters can survive without access to water for over a year? Hint

desert cottontail rabbit

desert tortoise

black-tailed jack rabbit

North American porcupine

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following should you do if you are the victim of a rattlesnake bite? Hint

make an incision between the fang marks and suck out the poison

apply ice or a cold compress to reduce circulation

wash the bite with soap and water

apply a tourniquet to prevent the venom from spreading

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Question 3 of 10

3. Which of the following musk-scented critters is often referred to as a wild pig although it is actually in a family all of its own? Hint

coatimundi

North American porcupine

collared peccary

skunk

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Question 4 of 10

4. Which of the following birds is fast enough to kill and eat rattlesnakes and is the official state bird of New Mexico? Hint

Sonoran ostrich

Gambel's quail

roadrunner

golden eagle

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Question 5 of 10

5. Which critter is the fastest animal in the western hemisphere? Hint

Mexican gray wolf

mountain lion

pronghorn

mule deer

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Question 6 of 10

6. Which of these venomous critters has venom glands on its lower jaw and therefore does not "inject" its nerve toxin, but just lets it seep into the wound as it chews? Hint

bunnicula

Western diamondback rattlesnake

Gila monster

sidewinder

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Question 7 of 10

7. Which nocturnal critter's scientific name, Bassariscus astutus, means "cunning little fox"? It is the official state mammal of Arizona. Hint

coyote

skunk

ringtail cat

gray fox

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which poisonous spider is characterized by a dark violin-shaped mark on its back? Hint

brown recluse spider

orchestral tarantula

black widow spider

common wolf spider

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Question 9 of 10

9. Which of the following is the correct terminology for the offspring of a coyote that mates with a domestic dog? Hint

domestiyote

desert jackal

coydog

that's biologically impossible

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which of the following subspecies of whitetail deer is considerably smaller than most whitetail and can be found in the southernmost areas of California, Arizona, and New Mexico? Hint

there are no deer in the desert

Coues whitetail deer

Crockett's whitetail deer

Huachuca whitetail deer

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following critters can survive without access to water for over a year?

Answer: desert tortoise

A desert tortoise (Gopherus agassizii) gets what little moisture it needs through its food (cacti, grasses, flowers, etc.). It is illegal to harm or capture a wild desert tortoise although there are programs available to adopt these fun little critters if you would like to have one for a pet.

2. Which of the following should you do if you are the victim of a rattlesnake bite?

Answer: wash the bite with soap and water

25% of rattlesnake bites by mature snakes do not even contain venom as it is necessary for their survival. If they use all their venom on you, they won't be able to kill their prey and will starve to death. In the event that you are bitten by a rattlesnake the American Red Cross recommends that you clean and immobilize the wounded area, keep it lower than your heart and seek medical assistance immediately.

The other suggestions listed here have been found to cause even greater damage.

3. Which of the following musk-scented critters is often referred to as a wild pig although it is actually in a family all of its own?

Answer: collared peccary

The collared peccary (Peccary angulatus) is also known as a javelina and is the only wild, pig-like critter native to the US. They have terrible vision and a musky smell.

4. Which of the following birds is fast enough to kill and eat rattlesnakes and is the official state bird of New Mexico?

Answer: roadrunner

A roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) can run at speeds up to 17 mph! On rare occasions when one does take flight it can only stay airborne for a few seconds. Beep Beep!

5. Which critter is the fastest animal in the western hemisphere?

Answer: pronghorn

The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) can sprint up to 60 mph and sustain speeds of 30 mph for miles! It is not actually an antelope, and is the only living member of the family Antilocapridae.

6. Which of these venomous critters has venom glands on its lower jaw and therefore does not "inject" its nerve toxin, but just lets it seep into the wound as it chews?

Answer: Gila monster

The gila monster (Heloderma suspectum) preys on eggs, birds and small mammals. This funky critter stores fat in its tail for use during winter months. Gila monster bites are rarely fatal in humans.

7. Which nocturnal critter's scientific name, Bassariscus astutus, means "cunning little fox"? It is the official state mammal of Arizona.

Answer: ringtail cat

While sleeping one night on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon a bunch of ringtail cats snuck into our camp and stole a bunch of Hostess Ding Dongs from our pack. A more traditional diet for ringtails consists of agave nectar, plants, insects, and other small mammals.

8. Which poisonous spider is characterized by a dark violin-shaped mark on its back?

Answer: brown recluse spider

The brown recluse spider (Loxosceles reclusa) only has six eyes, whereas most spiders have eight. Their poisonous bite is rarely fatal in adults, but you should still seek medical attention immediately. If possible, take the spider that bit you to the ER for identification.

9. Which of the following is the correct terminology for the offspring of a coyote that mates with a domestic dog?

Answer: coydog

The coyote (Canis latrans) can reproduce with both wolves (C. lupus & C. rufus) and domestic dogs (C. familiaris). Coyotes can run up to 40 mph and jump an 8' wall.

10. Which of the following subspecies of whitetail deer is considerably smaller than most whitetail and can be found in the southernmost areas of California, Arizona, and New Mexico?

Answer: Coues whitetail deer

The Coues are so much smaller in stature than other whitetail deer from the Midwest and Eastern US that they were once separated into their own species.

Source: Author jthphoto

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