The Newfangled State of New Mexico Quiz

Answer: Greater Roadrunner

The greater roadrunner is capable of flight, but it spends most of its time on the ground. It can run at speeds of 15 miles per hour to catch its prey. It feasts on small reptiles, rodents, tarantulas, scorpions and small birds. Some Native American tribes believed that the roadrunner was a protector against demons and evil spirits.

Answer: Zia sun symbol

The colors on New Mexico's state flag are the red and yellow of old Spain. The simple, elegant center design is the ancient Zia sun symbol. The Zia Indians find the sun sacred. Four is a sacred number of the Zia and is seen repeated in the four points radiating from the circle.

Answer: Sandia Hairstreak Butterfly

The Sandia hairstreak butterfly is a rare butterfly that has a small limited range. It lives in the agave desert of southern New Mexico. It is green, gold, and brown in color. This butterfly lays its eggs on the stalks of Texas sacahuista plant and feeds on it too.

Answer: Turquoise

Turquoise is probably one of the oldest gemstones known. It is an opaque, blue-to-green mineral. The majority of the world's finest-quality turquoise comes from the southwestern United States.

Answer: Tarantula Hawk Wasp

This insect is called the tarantula hawk wasp. It preys on tarantulas and their young. Although the sting of this wasp is reputed to have the most painful of any insect found in North America, it is not aggressive and rarely stings.

Answer: Yucca

Yucca is a desert plant that grows in the desert regions of New Mexico. Early European settlers called them "our Lord's candles." They are pollinated by the yucca moth. Dried yucca wood has the lowest ignition temperature of any wood, which makes it desirable for starting fires.

Answer: New Mexico cutthroat trout

This fish is also called Rio Grande cutthroat trout, and requires clean, clear, cold flowing water. Its numbers have declined in recent years because of the introduction of rainbow trout. There are programs to restore and rehabilitate these fish.

Answer: Biscochito

The biscochito is a small anise and cinnamon flavored shortbread cookie. It was introduced by early Spaniards in the 16th century. They are used during special celebrations such as wedding receptions, baptisms, and the Christmas season.

Answer: New Mexico Spadefoot Toad

The spadefoot toad is found all over New Mexico's 33 counties. They remain underground until rains fill low areas with water. They come in a variety of colors. As a defensive maneuver the New Mexico spadefoot toad emits an foul odor.

Answer: False

New Mexico designated the piņon pine as the official state tree in 1948. The seeds of the piņon pine tree were collected by Native Americans for centuries as food. Piņon wood gives off a distinctive and very pleasant incense smell when burned.