Zoochat Wildlife Quiz

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Thinking about it, the Przewalski's horse isn't an artiodactyl, Tim.

My bad, it is of course an equid but its the species that is most associated with Przhevalsky and honestly its the only one that I knew had been discovered by him because of the very obvious name.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

I think so, OC, although I haven't been counting the questions.

I nominate you for the next question @Dassie rat as I'm still a bit unfamiliar with the rules of this quiz and don't want to mess anything up so will observe.

 

[Tim May]

The artiodactyl species you're missing is wild yak.

The three artiodactyl species described by Przewalski are:

• wild yak
• wild Bactrian camel
• white-lipped (Thorold's) deer

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

The artiodactyl species your missing is wild yak.

The three artiodactyl species described by Przwalski are:

• wild yak
• wild Bactrian camel
• white-lipped (Thorold's) deer

Thanks @Tim May !

You mentioned earlier that Przhevalsky didn't discover the horse but I was wondering what you meant by that as the horse bears his name and apparently he did obtain the first scientific specimens and was the first to scientifically observe the species in the wild.

Of course the horse was known by the Mongolians and certainly the Chinese and perhaps to Arab and earlier European travellers of the Marco Polo / merchant kind but I think you mean "discovery" more in the scientific sense right ?

So who would you say first scientifically discovered the species ?

 

[Dassie rat]

Ivan Semyonovich Polyakov formally described the Przewalski's horse as a novel species in 1881.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Ivan Semyonovich Polyakov formally described the Przewalski's horse as a novel species in 1881.

Ah I see, but Przewalski had earlier obtained specimens of and observed the species in the wild.

 

[Dassie rat]

A tooth was described as coming from an early North American human. What did it really belong to?

 

[Tim May]

Thanks @Tim May !

You mentioned earlier that Przhevalsky didn't discover the horse but I was wondering what you meant by that as the horse bears his name and apparently he did obtain the first scientific specimens and was the first to scientifically observe the species in the wild.

Of course the horse was known by the Mongolians and certainly the Chinese and perhaps to Arab and earlier European travellers of the Marco Polo / merchant kind but I think you mean "discovery" more in the scientific sense right ?

So who would you say first scientifically discovered the species ?

Przewalski discovered the horse named after him but he wasn't the person to describe it (i.e. give it it's scientific name).

 

[Tim May]

A tooth was described as coming from an early North American human. What did it really belong to?

"Gavialis" hasn't confirmed you've got the correct answer to his question yet!

 

[Dassie rat]

You're right, Tim

Sorry, Gavialis

 

[Gavialis]

Nikolai Przewalski is, indeed, the right answer - well done, Onychorhynchus coronatus. Dassie rat was right to name the wild Bactrian camel and Tim to remember that, while Przewalski did not describe the gazelle, he did describe both the wild yak and the white-lipped deer.

Well done to all three!

 

[Tetzoo Quizzer]

In answer to Dassie Rat’s question, it was a peccary tooth.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

In answer to Dassie Rat’s question, it was a peccary tooth.

Presumably one of the molars and not one of the notorious canines.

 

[Tetzoo Quizzer]

Indeed.

 

[Dassie rat]

Well done, Tetzoo Quizzer.

The human was named 'Nebraska Man' and an artist drew a family (Nebraska Man - Wikipedia).

It's your turn.

 

[Onychorhynchus coronatus]

Well done, Tetzoo Quizzer.

The human was named 'Nebraska Man' and an artist drew a family (Nebraska Man - Wikipedia).

It's your turn.

"Nebraska man" in that illustration has the facial features and gait of Boris Johnson, lol.

 

[Tetzoo Quizzer]

Recent studies of the Balearic Cave Goat have suggested that it had a physiological feature unusual among Artiodactyls; what is this feature?

 

[Tim May]

Recent studies of the Balearic Cave Goat have suggested that it had a physiological feature unusual among Artiodactyls; what is this feature?

Forward facing eyes, suggesting binocular vision.

 

[Tetzoo Quizzer]

I would describe the forward facing eyes as anatomical rather than physiological (although I can see the argument for binocular vision being physiological). The feature I am looking for is unambiguously physiological.

 

[Tim May]

I would describe the forward facing eyes as anatomical rather than physiological (although I can see the argument for binocular vision being physiological). The feature I am looking for is unambiguously physiological.

It is suspected that the Balearic cave goat was able to adjust its metabolism depending on the available food and water supply and surrounding temperature.