1.
Millions of bats across North America have died from disease, what disease is it?
Correct Answer
B. White-nose syndrome
Explanation
The correct answer is White-nose syndrome. White-nose syndrome is a disease that affects bats in North America and has caused millions of bat deaths. It is caused by a fungus called Pseudogymnoascus destructans and primarily affects hibernating bats. The fungus grows on the bats' noses, wings, and ears, leading to skin irritation and disrupting their hibernation patterns. This disease has had a significant impact on bat populations, causing declines in certain species and affecting ecosystems that rely on bats for pollination and insect control.
2.
Austin is known for the bats that reside under the Congress Avenue Bridge. What type of bats are they?
Correct Answer
C. Mexican free-tailed bats
Explanation
The bats that reside under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin are Mexican free-tailed bats.
3.
Some species of bats hibernate in the winter. State true or false.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Some species of bats do indeed hibernate in the winter. During this time, bats lower their body temperature and metabolic rate, allowing them to conserve energy and survive the cold winter months when food is scarce. Hibernation helps bats to conserve energy and survive until the warmer months when insects, their primary food source, become more abundant. Therefore, the statement "True" is correct.
4.
Texas has the largest bat colony in the world. Where is it?
Correct Answer
C. Bracken Cave
Explanation
Bracken Cave is home to the largest bat colony in the world. Located in Texas, this cave serves as a roosting site for millions of Mexican free-tailed bats. These bats migrate to Bracken Cave from Mexico every year, making it a significant habitat for their population. The sheer number of bats in this colony makes it the largest in the world, making Bracken Cave the correct answer to the question.
5.
All bats drink blood. State true or false.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The statement "All bats drink blood" implies that every single bat drinks blood, which is not true. While it is true that some species of bats, such as vampire bats, do consume blood, the majority of bats feed on insects, fruits, nectar, or small animals. Therefore, the correct answer is False.
6.
What is the smallest type of bat in the world?
Correct Answer
A. Kitti's hog-nosed bat
Explanation
Kitti's hog-nosed bat is the smallest type of bat in the world. This bat species, also known as the bumblebee bat, is found in Thailand and Myanmar. It has a body length of about 1.1 to 1.3 inches and weighs only about 0.07 to 0.14 ounces. Due to its small size, it is often considered as the world's smallest mammal.
7.
Bats are known for their use of echolocation to navigate in the dark, which other mammal uses echolocation as well?
Correct Answer
B. DolpHins
Explanation
Dolphins are the correct answer because they are another mammal that uses echolocation. Like bats, dolphins emit high-frequency sounds and listen for the echoes to navigate and locate objects in their environment. This ability allows them to find food, communicate, and avoid obstacles, especially in dark or murky waters. Dolphins have specialized structures in their heads called melons, which help them produce and focus these sounds. This adaptation has made them highly skilled hunters and efficient swimmers.
8.
Which of these has a bat as their official state land mammal?
Correct Answer
C. Hawaii
Explanation
Hawaii is the correct answer because it is the only option that has a bat as their official state land mammal.
9.
The nectar bats tongue is so long it stows it in its rib cage. State true or false.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
The statement is true. The nectar bat's tongue is indeed so long that it can stow it in its rib cage. This unique adaptation allows the bat to reach deep into flowers to extract nectar, which is its primary food source. By retracting its tongue into its rib cage when not in use, the bat can conserve energy and protect its tongue from damage.
10.
Bats are very beneficial to the environment.
Correct Answer
A. True, they help pollinate flowers and keep the bug population under control
Explanation
Bats are indeed beneficial to the environment because they play a crucial role in pollinating flowers and controlling the bug population. As they feed on insects, they help in reducing the number of pests, which in turn helps to maintain the ecological balance. Additionally, bats are important pollinators for various plants, including many fruit trees and cacti. Their ability to carry pollen from one flower to another aids in plant reproduction and the production of fruits and seeds. Therefore, bats contribute positively to the environment by providing these essential ecological services.
11.
About how long do bats usually live?
Correct Answer
D. 20 years
Explanation
Bats usually have a lifespan of around 20 years. This is considered relatively long for a small mammal. Bats have evolved to have longer lifespans compared to other animals of similar size, possibly due to their ability to fly which provides them with advantages such as escaping predators and accessing food sources. Additionally, bats have adaptations that help them resist diseases and maintain their health, contributing to their longer lifespan.
12.
What is bat poop called?
Correct Answer
C. Guano
Explanation
Guano is the correct answer because it refers to bat poop. Guano is a term used to describe the excrement of seabirds and bats, and it is known for being rich in nutrients. It has been historically used as a valuable fertilizer due to its high levels of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Additionally, guano has been used in the production of explosives and as a raw material for certain industrial processes.
13.
Bat wings are made up of cartilage.
Correct Answer
A. True
Explanation
Bat wings are made up of cartilage, which is a flexible and lightweight tissue found in the skeletal structure of bats. Unlike birds, bats do not have feathers on their wings. Instead, their wings are formed by a thin membrane of skin stretched over elongated fingers. This membrane is supported and shaped by cartilage, allowing bats to have a unique and adaptable wing structure that enables them to fly and maneuver effectively.
14.
Bats aren't the only flying mammals. State true or false.
Correct Answer
B. False
Explanation
The statement "Bats aren't the only flying mammals" is true. There are other mammals that can fly, such as flying squirrels and flying lemurs. Therefore, the correct answer is False.
15.
The giant golden-crowned flying fox is the largest in the world and can be 5 feet long, about how much does one weigh?
Correct Answer
A. 3 pounds
Explanation
The giant golden-crowned flying fox is the largest bat in the world, reaching lengths of up to 5 feet. Despite its large size, it weighs only 3 pounds.