Toucans Are Terrific! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Brazil

There are over forty species of toucans that all live in a habitat that begins in southern Mexico, includes all of Central America, and goes all the way to northern Argentina in South America. Toucans like living in tropical areas; however, some can be found in the tree-line region of the Andes Mountains.

Answer: Aboreal

Toucans live in trees and can usually find all the food they need without leaving the forest. They do not construct their own nests; instead, they use holes that occur naturally in trees or ones that were made by other animals. The only toucan species that does not live in the forest is the toco toucan, which inhabits the savanna instead.

The largest is the largest member of the toucan family, the toco toucan is about 25 inches long, may weight up to 2 pounds, and typically occupies nests in the scattered groves of trees in his preferred habitat.

Answer: False

Toucans live in pairs or small groups, called flocks, of up to 20 members. A couple might leave the group during breeding season. Both will take turns incubating the eggs (they typicality have 2-4 a year), feeding and protecting the young, and, when breeding season is over, the entire family will rejoin the group. Many species of toucans even forage for food together.

Answer: False

A toucan has a tongue that can be as long as six inches in some species. Their tongue is grayish, has sharp edges, and is used for tasting. While the base of the tongue appears to be pinker than the rest of it, the back of a toucan's throat is blue! It appears that the purpose of the tongue is to help them eat food that is otherwise caught in their beak. Researchers have noticed that some toucans will hang their tongue from the side of their beak - kind of like dogs do when they are very hot. And - they also drool!

Answer: Bill

The large beak or bill is a characteristic of the toucan family, which is called Ramphastidae; most toucans have a beak that is large and colorful. In some species it can make up as much as half of the bird's total size! As you can imagine, the large bill is very useful when a toucan is gathering food! It assists in reaching food that would otherwise be out of reach. That way the toucan doesn't have to use as much energy in gathering his food.

Answer: It is made of keratin.

Toucans are born with small beaks, but their beaks are not nearly as large proportionally as they are when the bird matures. Made of keratin, the same substance that makes up our hair and nails, the beak is very lightweight. There are signs on the beak of serrations, which lead some to believe that at one time toucans might have included fish as part of their meal. Today they probably just help the toucan prepare his food for eating.

Answer: Fruit

Toucans are mostly frugivorous, which means they eat a lot of fruit! Their favorite fruits include mangoes, bananas, and grapes, although they will eat just about anything that is available. This includes small lizards, insects, and even small birds, their eggs, and their babies! In order to eat they must tilt their head back so that the food goes through the long beak into their mouths!

Answer: Under his feathers

One of the purposes of the beak is to help regulate the flow of blood in the toucan's body. When more blood flows, more body heat is created. On cool nights, it feels good to place the beak under the feathers to warm up the toucan's body. It is also common to see a toucan sleeping with his head underneath his tail for the same reason.

Answer: Instead of flying, toucans typically hop.

Toucans can fly, but they don't seem to be very good at it! They work really hard to flap their small wings, but they typically can fly only short distances. It's a good thing that the climate of their habitat makes it unnecessary for them to migrate! Because of their poor flying skills, they have never been able to make it to the nearby West Indies. So, how do they get around? They hop! They hop from branch to branch using their claws for grasping tree limbs.

Answer: Spider monkeys

Toucans have many natural predators, including jaguars, boas, hawks, large birds of prey, and even humans. There are animals that also steal their eggs, such as weasels, rats, and snakes. Some scientists believe that other smaller creatures, finding the large bill to be a bit intimidating, will not encroach on a toucan's territory.