Answer Key Quiz #2

Answers

1. Africa's and the world's fastest running animal is the Cheetah, with short distance speeds of up to 70 mph. The Wildebeest, Lion and Thompson's Gazelle, also in Africa, have top speeds of about 50 mph. Pronghorn's, with speeds around 60 mph, are found only in North America. As a comparison ... for humans, Usain Bolt ran the 100 meter at the Berlin Olympics at about 28 mph.

2. The goliath bullfrog is the largest living frog on Earth. They can grow up to 12.6 inches in length and weigh up to 7 lbs.

3. Africa has over 1,000 termite species.

4. The African Penguin, also known as the Black-footed Penguin, is the only penguin species found in Africa.

5. Animals endemic, or native, to Africa are: chimpanzees appearing about 11 million years ago, humans at about 6 millions years ago, and aardvarks at about 20 million years ago.

6. Kipunjis were first discovered in 2003 with their distinctive howl helping them to be classified as a new species. With fewer than 2000 individuals currently found in Tanzania, they are already critically endangered.

7. Due to years of unending poaching for rhino horns, as of March 2018, there are only two white rhinos left in a conservancy in Kenya. Unfortunately, they are both females and under constant protective watch.

8. Hedgehogs have 6000 quills on average and they are made of keratin, just like human fingernails. The quill are not barbed like porcupines' nor do hedgehogs throw them. The hedgehog will roll into a ball when threatened so the quills cover all exposed skin.

9. Ostrich's, found on African Savannah and deserts, can be up to 9 feet tall and weighing up to 320 pounds. That's a big bird!

10. Cheetahs do not roar like the larger prey animals of Africa. They do make a very distinctive birdlike chirping sounds. Often this is heard when communicating with it's young. Like many critters, they make a wide range of sounds: growling, hissing and purring!

11. Elephants have no natural enemies. They are neither predators nor preyed upon. Humans, alone are responsible for the decline in their numbers through being poached for their ivory and the loss of habitat.

12. Pangolins are hunted for their meat and their scales are traditionally considered to have medicinal qualities. All 8 species of pangolins have been identified, separately on the IUCN "Red List of Threatened Species" as being on the verge of extinction.

13. These antelopes, found in eastern Africa, can tolerate long periods of heat by raising their body temperatures to up to 116 degrees Fahrenheit. This causes the heat to leave their bodies for the surrounding cooler air. There is reduced need for sweating or loss of water through evaporation.

14. Bonobos, found only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, are also known as pygmy or dwarf chimpanzee. This endangered primate is known to share 98% of the DNA with humans. They are a female dominated species and are characterized by a peacefulness among their members. Do look them up .... They are fascinating!

15. Their coats are pigmented black and unpigmented white stripe but underneath, most zebras have black skin.

16. When a young Jane Goodall reported to Louis Leakey that she had observed chimpanzees using tools, his response was that "Now we must redefine tool, redefine Man, or accept chimpanzees as humans."

18. Though not above scavenging for a meal, they often hunt in organized and cooperative packs, much like wolves, when taking down large prey. They are often called 'laughing hyenas" as it sounds like human laughter when vocalizing.

19. Almost 90% of plant and animal species on the island are endemic to it! More Critters found only on this island are: Blue Couas, Giraffe Weeveils, Fossas and Lemurs. Check them out!

20. Most prides consist of 12 - 15 lions. Typically 3 males, a dozen or so females and their cubs.

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