Mammal Trivia

Question 1

When is the impala rutting season?

Answer 1

Starts at the end of the wet season towards the end of May for a period of approximately 3 - 4 weeks.

Question 2

What is the rarest large carnivore in Africa?

Answer 2

The Ethiopian Wolf

Question 3

What alternative names do Wild Dog have?

Answer 3

• Cape Hunting Dog
• Lycaon pictus
• African Hunting Dog
• Painted Hunting Dog
• Painted Wolf

Question 4

What is the genus of the roaring cats, what cats are they and what special adaptation do they have that allows them to do this?

Answer 4

Panthera

• Lion
• Leopard
• Snow Leopard
• Tiger
• Jaguar

The primary reason for this was formerly assumed to be the incomplete ossification of the hyoid bone. However, new studies show the ability to roar is due to other morphological features, especially of the larynx. The snow leopard does not roar. Although its hyoid bone is incompletely ossified, it lacks the special morphology of the larynx.

Question 5

Why do zebra have stripes?

Answer 5

• Camouflage
• Proven that it interferes with the vision of flies leading to less flies landing on them
• There are more capillaries under the black stripes leading to more heat and therefore a lower pressure. The pressure gradient established between the black and white stripes creates a convection current thus aiding in thermoregulation of the animal

Question 6

How many muscles does an elephant have in its trunk.

Answer 6

They contain eight major muscles but have 150k fascicles (or portions of muscles) which provide amazing dexterity and strength

Question 7

How much does an elephant trunk weigh? How long can it get?

Answer 7

150kg - 1.5m long

Question 8

How much water can an elephant hold in its trunk

Answer 8

8 - 11 litres

Question 9

How much blood does an elephant have in its body?

Answer 9

450 litres - humans only 4.5l to 5.5litres

Question 10

How much does an elephant brain weigh?

Answer 10

4-6kg

Question 11

What is the size ratio of a new born elephant brain to an adult elephant?

Answer 11

35% in elephants and 26% in humans

Question 12

How much can an elephant eat in a day?

Answer 12

On average about 150kg but ranges between 70kg - 300kgs

Question 13

How much can an elephant drink in a day?

Answer 13

Bulls 200 litres

Cows 150 litres

Question 14

How much dung can an elephant produce in a day?

Answer 14

100 - 150kg in 24 hours