Ecology Quiz

How do wild Texas hogs most likely harm other animals?

• By competing with other animals for food

• By moving slower than most other animals

• By causing other animals to reproduce more

• By eating foods that no other animals eat

Ocotillo plants are better adapted for surviving in the desert than maple trees because the characteristics of ocotillo leaves —

• allow more sunlight to reach the soil

• prevent the plant from producing flowers

• encourage the release of carbon dioxide from the stems

• reduce the amount of water lost through evaporation

Which of these will most likely happen when prairie dogs are removed from an area?

• The population of predators that eat prairie dogs will decrease.

• The population of plants that prairie dogs eat will decrease.

• The nutrients in the soil will increase.

• The number of underground tunnels will increase.

Which of these is an inherited trait of monarch butterfly caterpillars?

• The size of the milkweed leaves that the caterpillars eat

• The ability of the caterpillars to eat toxic leaves without being harmed

• The number of milkweed leaves the caterpillars eat each day

• The number of leaves on the milkweed plants that the caterpillars visit each summer

Most kangaroos have large, heavy tails, while spider monkeys have long, thin tails. Kangaroo tails are useful when the kangaroos are hopping and also when they are crawling around on the ground to feed. Spider monkey tails are useful when the spider monkeys are moving through trees. Both of these animals use their tails primarily for —

• grabbing and holding their food

• supporting and balancing their body

• attracting the attention of other animals

• carrying their young

During a family picnic, Scarlett noticed her dog, Max, performing a specific action after observing the family. Which of these actions is a learned behavior of Max?

• Begging for food

• Drinking water

• Panting on a hot day

• Chewing on a bone

How do structures such as whiskers and antennae benefit organisms like cats and insects in their natural habitats?

• They help the organisms detect their surroundings.

• They help the organisms eat food quickly.

• They help the organisms fight predators.

• None of these

The difference in the shape of Jackson's, Daniel's, and Priya's pet dogs’ teeth is most closely related to —

• the type of food the dogs consume

• the sounds the dogs make

• the habitat the dogs live in

Which of these observations describes a learned behavior?

• Olivia trained her dog to sit when she holds up a treat.

• Benjamin's cat has white fur and green eyes.

• Maya's parrot can mimic phrases it hears frequently.

• A fish will swim away when it sees a shadow overhead.

If all the dead branches and dying trees in a wooded area near Emma's house are removed, which bird’s nesting habit would be most affected?

• Baltimore oriole

• Barn swallow

• Downy woodpecker

• Belted kingfisher