Urban Wildlife Adaptations Quiz

What is one key difference between urban and nonurban junco populations?

• Urban juncos migrate every winter, while nonurban juncos do not.

• Urban juncos are bolder and allow humans to get closer before flying away.

• Nonurban juncos have brighter feathers than urban juncos.

• Urban juncos eat a completely different diet than nonurban juncos.

What is "flight initiation distance" in juncos?

• The maximum height a junco can fly in one movement.

• The distance a junco travels during migration.

• The distance at which a bird takes flight when approached by a human.

• The length of time a junco stays in one location before moving.

How do urban hawksbeard plants differ from nonurban hawksbeard plants?

• Urban plants produce more heavy seeds that drop nearby.

• Urban plants only produce feathery seeds that float away.

• Nonurban plants grow taller than urban plants.

• Nonurban plants produce no seeds at all.

Why might urban hawksbeard plants produce more heavy seeds?

• Heavy seeds are more likely to grow in cracks or soil in the city.

• The wind in urban areas is too weak to carry feathery seeds.

• Birds in cities eat feathery seeds before they can disperse.

• Heavy seeds produce brighter flowers that attract pollinators.

What is one reason why modern urban rats are harder to control than in the past?

• They have developed resistance to common poisons.

• They are migrating to rural areas in large numbers.

• They have become smaller and harder to detect.

• They no longer need food and water to survive.

How does the Y139F mutation help some rats survive?

• It allows them to eat any type of food without getting sick.

• It makes them resistant to poisons by altering a blood-clotting protein.

• It increases their ability to reproduce in urban environments.

• It helps them blend into their surroundings to avoid predators.

What adaptation helps urban juncos survive in city environments?

• They have developed a new type of song to communicate over city noise.

• They have learned to build nests in unusual places like streetlights.

• They have become nocturnal to avoid daytime predators.

• They have developed a resistance to pollution.

What is a potential disadvantage of urban hawksbeard plants producing heavy seeds?

• Heavy seeds are less likely to be dispersed over long distances.

• Heavy seeds are more susceptible to being eaten by urban wildlife.

• Heavy seeds require more nutrients to germinate.

• Heavy seeds produce weaker plants.

How have urban environments influenced the behavior of juncos?

• Juncos have become more aggressive towards other bird species.

• Juncos have started to mimic human sounds.

• Juncos have become more tolerant of human presence.

• Juncos have developed a preference for artificial food sources.

What is a common method used to control urban rat populations?

• Introducing natural predators into the environment.

• Using ultrasonic devices to deter them.

• Implementing stricter waste management practices.

• Providing alternative food sources to distract them.