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Quiz about Hairy Houdinis
Quiz about Hairy Houdinis

Hairy Houdinis Trivia Quiz


Experience the magical world of mammalian tool manufacture and/or manipulation.

A multiple-choice quiz by DR.NO. Estimated time: 5 mins.
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Author
DR.NO
Time
5 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
304,729
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Tough
Avg Score
5 / 10
Plays
1914
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
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Question 1 of 10
1. Modern zoo enclosures incorporate electric barriers to keep animals in their enclosures and to protect foliage, but some apes have discovered a way to circumvent these measures by doing what?

Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. When preparing to dine, Dwarf Mongooses will typically do what to gain access to the tasty contents of eggs? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. Sea otters use rocks as tools to open hard shells, but they also been known to use rocks to do which of the following?
Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. Naked moles rats have large teeth that they use to dig tunnels, but how do they avoid breathing most of the dirt they stir up? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. Ground squirrels have been observed using what substance as a weapon against predatory snakes? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. It is well known that chimpanzees use sticks as tools for digging and collecting insects to eat, but did you know they also use leaves to make beds, drinking cups, and what other useful item? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. In order to protect their snouts while foraging for food, Indian Bottlenose Dolphins in the Australian Pacific area have developed what device? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. South African elephants not only dig holes to gain access to water, but what device do they sometimes make to preserve their hard won water source? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. What tool do pocket gophers use when digging their burrows? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. The following question showcases one particularly intriguing Hairy Houdini:

Numbered among the craftiest and most talented of mammalian zoo escape artists was the orangutan Fu Manchu, who was very skilled in which of the following activities?
Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Mar 07 2024 : jasa9092: 8/10
Feb 11 2024 : Jaydel: 1/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Modern zoo enclosures incorporate electric barriers to keep animals in their enclosures and to protect foliage, but some apes have discovered a way to circumvent these measures by doing what?

Answer: Creating insulation

At the Woodland Park zoo the keepers placed electrified barriers around trees to protect them in the gorilla enclosure. However, a female gorilla, Jumoke, created insulation by gathering and placing tree logs and limbs on the hot wire to avoid being shocked while gaining access to the trees.

Also, Joseph, an orangutan, at the Kansas City Zoo created insulation by placing a rubber tire on an electric barrier, which then allowed him to escape by climbing out.
2. When preparing to dine, Dwarf Mongooses will typically do what to gain access to the tasty contents of eggs?

Answer: Roll them between their legs into a wall and/or rock

Dwarf Mongooses apparently eat a lot of eggs and have found a variety of ways to open eggshells. In addition to cracking their eggs by rolling them between their legs into walls and/or rocks they have also been known to break them by: 1) dashing eggs to the ground from a semi-erect position, or 2) laying on their backs and tossing the egg into the air so it is dashed to the ground.
3. Sea otters use rocks as tools to open hard shells, but they also been known to use rocks to do which of the following?

Answer: Dislodge abalone from rocks

Amazingly, sea otters can strike 45 blows in 15 seconds with a rock. Since sea otters can weigh up to 100 lbs., the rock tool used can be quite hefty. A heavy rock would be advantageous in trying to unseat abalone, because they have 4,000 times their body weight in force available to grip rocks. In fact, sea otters often have to make multiple dives to dislodge one abalone snack.
4. Naked moles rats have large teeth that they use to dig tunnels, but how do they avoid breathing most of the dirt they stir up?

Answer: Making oral air filters

Naked mole rats make air filters to use during tunneling by placing wood shavings between their gums and lips.
5. Ground squirrels have been observed using what substance as a weapon against predatory snakes?

Answer: Sand

Ground squirrels have found a way to tilt the odds in their favor when encountering predatory snakes by throwing and kicking sand at them. It is conjectured that this offensive behavior may harass and/or intimidate the snake, which results in the snake deciding that the ground squirrel is not suitable prey and seeking other, more appropriate prey.
6. It is well known that chimpanzees use sticks as tools for digging and collecting insects to eat, but did you know they also use leaves to make beds, drinking cups, and what other useful item?

Answer: Cleaning cloths

Yes, chimpanzees in Tanzania are a lot more fastidious than some people I've known. Whenever the chimps are feeling less than fresh, they use leaves to wipe dirt, blood, and food debris from their bodies.
7. In order to protect their snouts while foraging for food, Indian Bottlenose Dolphins in the Australian Pacific area have developed what device?

Answer: A snout guard

The process these Indian Bottlenose Dolphins have developed for preventing skin damage is to tear off a section of sponge and then wrap it around their snout.

If you'd like to see an actual photograph of one of these masked marauders in action please visit the following website:

Wired Science: Clever Critters: 8 Best Non-Human Tool Users http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/01/animaltools/

Tool Use by Animals - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tool_use_by_animals
8. South African elephants not only dig holes to gain access to water, but what device do they sometimes make to preserve their hard won water source?

Answer: A plug

South African elephants, after digging their water hole, have been known to collect tree bark, shape it into a ball through chewing, then use the ball as a plug, which is then covered with sand to limit evaporation. With a secure water source elephants can return later for a refreshing drink at their leisure.
9. What tool do pocket gophers use when digging their burrows?

Answer: A Shovel

Each pocket gopher typically lives in its own tunnel system, which means that between moving and maintenance each one of them does a lot of digging over their lifetime. However, pocket gophers have learned to make this neverending task easier by using hard objects and/or rocks as shovels when digging.
10. The following question showcases one particularly intriguing Hairy Houdini: Numbered among the craftiest and most talented of mammalian zoo escape artists was the orangutan Fu Manchu, who was very skilled in which of the following activities?

Answer: He engaged in all of these activities

Zoo keepers were puzzled by Fu Manchu's enclosure escapes until one day they witnessed him picking a lock with his handcrafted wire jimmy. It was later discovered that Fu Manchu hid the jimmy in his mouth (between gum and lips) when not out on a job.

Fu Manchu received official recognition and appreciation from his peers when he was made an Honorary Member of the American Association of Locksmiths.
Source: Author DR.NO

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