Back to School Animal Pop Quiz!

The Huon Peninsula of Papua New Guinea. In total, there are about 12 different species of tree kangaroo. Two species are found in northeastern Australia, and the rest of the species and subspecies are found on the island of New Guinea.

ANATOMY: Why do flamingos’ knees bend backwards?

Trick question – they don’t! What might seem like the flamingo’s knee is actually its ankle. Their knees are farther up, inside their bodies where we don’t see them.

Next time you pass the flamingos at the Zoo, try to imagine where their knees are!

READING: What famous literary bear is an Andean bear?

Paddington! The star of these beloved books and movies was said to come from “darkest Peru,” making him an Andean bear.

The Zoo is working to protect Paddington’s wild inspirations with its Andean Bear Conservation Alliance.

LANGUAGE ARTS: How do snow leopards communicate with one another?

Snow leopards are largely solitary, but they use a variety of vocalizations to communicate including a purr, mew, hiss, growl, moan, and yowl. However, these big cats cannot roar due to the physiology of their throat, and instead make a non-aggressive puffing sound called a 'chuff'. In addition to these vocalizations, snow leopards employ scent marking with their urine to leave messages for other cats.

HOME ECONOMICS: What ‘culinary’ tools do orangutans use to find food?

The ever-versatile stick! Orangutans have been observed using branches, leaves, and sticks in myriad ways – scraping, prying, chiseling, fanning, hammering...the list goes on. Orangutans use these tools to gather food items including insects, seeds, and even fish.

GEOMETRY: How do peregrine falcons fly so fast?

The world’s fastest bird, the peregrine falcon can reach speeds of over 200 miles per hour to capture its prey. This impressive raptor can fly in different ways by making its wings into distinct shapes such as diamond, teardrop, cupped, ‘M’, and ‘C’.

Have you spotted the peregrine falcons that nest in the underside of the bridge near Rosebrough Tiger Passage?

CHEMISTRY: What animal mixes its own venom to deliver a poisonous bite?

The pygmy slow loris. These peculiar primates secrete a toxin from glands in their upper arms. Licking the area transfers the toxin to their mouths, where it mixes with enzymes in their saliva to become venom.

HISTORY: What is the oldest animal at the Zoo?

It’s a tie – Aldabra tortoises Tom and Terry were both born in 1920. When they hatched, Woodrow Wilson was President, the pop-up toaster had just been invented, and the 19th Amendment was passed, granting women the right to vote.

When you see Tom and Terry taking it easy in their habitat outside the Primate, Cat, and Aquatics building, take a moment to reflect on the many world events they’ve lived through.

ART: What species looks the most like a work of art?

This one is open-ended. Which animals at the Zoo are your favorite masterpiece of biology?