There are thousands of creatures in our world and thousands of facts about each and every one of them. But though some of us can easily spout off detailed information about little-known whale behavior, others don’t know much more than what a baby dog is called. (It is a puppy, right?) See where you fall on the spectrum of animal knowledge by answering these fun questions.
A) A bike accident
B) A hangnail
C) A killing
D) A murder
(Answer: D)
Relax. The term “murder of crows” comes from a
time when many groups of animals had interesting names and does not at all mean that
crows fly around looking for trouble and carrying little weapons in their
beaks. At least, we don’t think so.
Source: PBS
2. A newborn koala is the size of a ____ and
is called a ____.
A) pea, peashooter
B) kitten, pup
C) egg, cub
D) jellybean, joey
E) cough drop, ricola
(Answer: D)
A newborn koala is only the size of a jellybean. How cute is
that? And, like its country-mate the kangaroo and the cutest guy on Friends, the baby is called a “joey.” It lives in its marsupial mommy’s pouch for around six
months.
Source: National Geographic Kids
3. The flap of skin hanging off a moose’s
throat is called a ____.
A) wattle
B) turkey neck
C) bell
D) super-embarrassing skin condition
(Answer: C)
Scientists aren’t sure why this skin, which is larger on males than on females, is there, but they suspect
the bell may help attract mates. And you know what they say, ladies: The
bigger the bell, the louder the ring. Oh, yeah.
Source: National Wildlife Federation
4. Baby jackrabbits are called ____.
A) freakin' adorable
B) wittle wabbits
C) leverets
D) bunnies
(Answer: C and D)
Jackrabbits are known to produce lots and lots of babies, which are called leverets or bunnies. “Leveret” is from the French for “hare.”
“Bunny” is also sometimes used as a term for girls and women — and Looney Tunes
characters.
Source: National Geographic Kids
5. If someone tells you there’s a business in
your yard, what should you do?
A) Notify the Better Business Bureau
B) Ask for rent
C) Demand to see the boss
D) Call animal control ASAP
(Answer: D)
This is because a “business” is what a
group of ferrets is called. It’s derived from the original “besynes” from Middle English. And,
nothing against ferrets, but if you’ve ever been around one, you know that the
name is somewhat ironic, because they never actually mind their own business.
Source: The American Ferret Association
6. In ancient China, people used to put ____ up their sleeves.
Specifically, Chinese royalty would carry their small, beloved pet Pekingese in their big bell sleeves. (Rumor has
it they tried it with Great Danes, but it didn’t work out.)
Source: Encyclopedia Britannica
7. What are female woodchucks called?
A) She chucks
B) Two buck chucks
C) Chuckettes
D) Lady chucks
(Answer: A)
Also, woodchucks that are male are called “he chucks.” Woodchucks that jump on
things are called “up chucks”* and woodchucks that play basketball are called
“Chuck Taylors.”*
9. Clocking in at a top speed of 70 mph, the
fastest land mammal is ____.
A) a pronghorn antelope
B) a cheetah
C) a puma
D) a bargain-hunting woman at the mall on Black Friday
(Answer: B)
The cheetah is the clear
winner, with the pronghorn antelope not far behind at 61 mph. And with speed like that, thank goodness they’re never found competing for the $10 TVs.
Roadrunners are
considered “ground cuckoos,” and you will probably find them in the
deserts of the Southwest eating rattlesnakes. No boring clock jobs for these
speedy guys.
