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Wild Dogs of the World Trivia Quiz

How well do you know your wild canines? From foxes to wolves to dingoes to dholes- here they are!

A multiple-choice quiz by crisw. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
crisw

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
27,063

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
15

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
7 / 15

Plays
4478

Awards
Top 20% Quiz

Last 3 plays: GoodwinPD (15/15), robbonz (8/15), Guest 88 (8/15).

This quiz has 2 formats: you can play it as a or as shown below.
Scroll down to the bottom for the answer key.

1. Which of the following belongs in the Canidae family? Hint

Raccoon dog

Aardwolf

Prairie dog

Striped hyena

NEXT>

2. The 'true' dogs are all in the genus Canis. Which of the following isn't a true dog? Hint

Red wolf

Coyote

African wild dog

Side-striped jackal

NEXT>

3. Which of the following canids has the widest distribution? Hint

Red fox

Arctic fox

Gray fox

Coyote

NEXT>

4. Which species of wild canine is the largest? Hint

African wild dog

Dhole

Bush dog

Grey wolf

NEXT>

5. The dingo is the native wild dog of Australia.

True

False

NEXT>

6. Now let's talk about the wild dogs of specific continents, starting with North America. Which canid is not native to North America? Hint

Kit fox

Arctic fox

Swift fox

Crab-eating fox

NEXT>

7. Which of these wild North American canids is critically endangered? Hint

San Joaquin kit fox

All of them

Red wolf

Mexican grey wolf

NEXT>

8. Now let's move on to South America. This beautiful wild dog is often known as 'a fox on stilts.' Name it. Hint

Bush dog

Culpeo

Maned wolf

Crab-eating fox

NEXT>

9. This unusual South American wild dog looks more like a wolverine or small bear. Hint

Bush dog

Culpeo

Hoary zorro

Maned wolf

NEXT>

10. On to Africa. What is the name of the tiny African desert fox with huge ears?

Answer: (One Word)

NEXT>

11. Now to Bible lands. What fox was likely to be the species that was mentioned in the Song of Solomon as an eater of grapes? Hint

Pale fox

Red fox

Ruppell's fox

Blanford's fox

NEXT>

12. More from Asia. What is the beautiful red wild dog of India called? Hint

Dingo

Red wolf

Culpeo

Dhole

NEXT>

13. Which wild dog of much of Asia, including Japan, is also known as 'tanuki'? Hint

Bengal fox

Tibetan fox

Raccoon dog

Corsac fox

NEXT>

14. Back to the US for the last two. You see a fox with a black-tipped tail. Is it a red fox or a grey fox?

Answer: (Which fox?)

NEXT>

15. Which North American canine has expanded its range the most? Hint

Gray wolf

Red fox

Coyote

Gray fox

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which of the following belongs in the Canidae family?

Answer: Raccoon dog

The hyenas-including the aardwolf- are in their own family, the Hyenidae. They are actually more closely related to cats than to dogs. The prairie dog is a rodent.

2. The 'true' dogs are all in the genus Canis. Which of the following isn't a true dog?

Answer: African wild dog

The African wild dog is in the genus Lycaon (L. pictus). The coyote is Canis latrans, the jackal C. mesomelas, the red wolf is C. rufus. True dogs are distinguished molecularly by the possession of 78 chromosomes, and behaviorally by their great sociability and communication by howling and barking.

3. Which of the following canids has the widest distribution?

Answer: Red fox

The red fox is native to every continent except South America, Antarctica and Australia (where it has been introduced).

4. Which species of wild canine is the largest?

Answer: Grey wolf

The grey wolves of the Arctic Circle are the largest. The biggest wolf known weighed 175 lbs.

5. The dingo is the native wild dog of Australia.

Answer: False

The dingo is not native. It is a descendant of domestic dogs brought over by Aboriginal colonizers.

6. Now let's talk about the wild dogs of specific continents, starting with North America. Which canid is not native to North America?

Answer: Crab-eating fox

Kit, swift, Arctic, red and gray foxes, red and gray wolves, and the coyote are all native to North America.The crab-eating fox is South American.

7. Which of these wild North American canids is critically endangered?

Answer: All of them

Sadly, humans have persecuted the wolves into near-extinction. The kit fox has been a victim of traps and poisons intended for coyotes.

8. Now let's move on to South America. This beautiful wild dog is often known as 'a fox on stilts.' Name it.

Answer: Maned wolf

The beautiful maned wolf has shaggy red fur, huge ears, and long black legs. It is omnivorous, eating both plant material and small animals.

9. This unusual South American wild dog looks more like a wolverine or small bear.

Answer: Bush dog

It hunts in packs along riverbanks. It has webbed feet and swims well.

10. On to Africa. What is the name of the tiny African desert fox with huge ears?

Answer: Fennec

It's the smallest wild canine.

11. Now to Bible lands. What fox was likely to be the species that was mentioned in the Song of Solomon as an eater of grapes?

Answer: Blanford's fox

Studies have shown that Blanford's fox consumes much more fruit than other fox species. It prefers melons, chives- and grapes!

12. More from Asia. What is the beautiful red wild dog of India called?

Answer: Dhole

Although vilified by Kipling, among others, as a savage killer, the dhole lives in packs much like wolves, with all members giving solicitous care to the young.

13. Which wild dog of much of Asia, including Japan, is also known as 'tanuki'?

Answer: Raccoon dog

This critter does indeed look like a raccoon. In Japanese tales, it's a symbol of virility.

14. Back to the US for the last two. You see a fox with a black-tipped tail. Is it a red fox or a grey fox?

Answer: grey fox

Red foxes have white-tipped tails.

15. Which North American canine has expanded its range the most?

Answer: Coyote

The coyote was originally found only on the Western plains, but has now been recorded from every state but Hawaii!

Source: Author crisw

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Tizzabelle before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.

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May 31 2023 : GoodwinPD: 15/15
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