Q 01/05

Squirrel monkeys rub which liquid over their own skin, a habit thought to help them cool off?

A) Saliva

B) Urine

C) Tree sap

D) Rainwater

Answer · why

B) Urine

Urine is the liquid: the habit, called urine washing, peaks on the hottest days, so evaporation is thought to cool the monkey. It may also carry scent...

Q 02/05

Relative to body size, squirrel monkeys hold which record among all primates?

A) Longest tail

B) Biggest eyes

C) Largest brain

D) Fastest heartbeat

Answer · why

C) Largest brain

Largest brain is the record: weight for weight, a squirrel monkey carries more brain than any other primate, humans included.

Q 03/05

Unlike spider and howler monkeys, an adult squirrel monkey uses its long tail mainly for what?

A) Balance

B) Climbing

C) Fat storage

D) Swatting flies

Answer · why

A) Balance

Balance is the tail's job: it works like a tightrope walker's pole as the monkey races along branches. Only newborn infants can grip with it.

Q 04/05

The squirrel monkey's black-and-white face inspired which grim phrase in its German, Dutch and Swedish names?

A) Vampire face

B) Black widow

C) Graveyard ghost

D) Death's head

Answer · why

D) Death's head

Death's head is what Totenkopf means in the German name Totenkopfaffe: the white mask and dark muzzle look like a skull.

Q 05/05

Squirrel monkey Miss Baker, who survived a 1959 US rocket flight, was first bought from what kind of place?

A) A city zoo

B) A pet shop

C) A circus

D) A college lab

Answer · why

B) A pet shop

A pet shop sold her, along with 25 other squirrel monkeys, to be tested as flight candidates. She stood out for her gentle manner and earned the nickn...