Q 01/05

Which of these animals belongs to the squirrel family?

A) Rabbit

B) Chipmunk

C) Hedgehog

D) Raccoon

Answer · why

B) Chipmunk

The family Sciuridae includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels such as chipmunks and prairie dogs, and flying squirrels.

Q 02/05

The word 'squirrel' comes from an ancient Greek word meaning what?

A) Nut thief

B) Shadow tail

C) Tree runner

D) Little jumper

Answer · why

B) Shadow tail

Skiouros combined the words for shade and tail, because a squirrel's bushy tail can shade its whole body.

Q 03/05

To which continent did humans introduce squirrels, native to the Americas, Eurasia and Africa?

A) Antarctica

B) Australia

C) South America

D) Europe

Answer · why

B) Australia

Antarctica remains the only continent with no squirrels at all.

Q 04/05

Which squirrel is the smallest in the world, weighing less than a house mouse?

A) The eastern chipmunk

B) The Eurasian red

C) The southern flying

D) The African pygmy

Answer · why

D) The African pygmy

It is only about 12 to 14 centimetres long, including its tail, and lives in the rainforests of Cameroon and Gabon.

Q 05/05

Which is the longest squirrel in the world, at up to 1.27 metres from nose to tail tip?

A) Eastern fox

B) Bhutan giant flying

C) Eastern gray

D) Alpine marmot

Answer · why

B) Bhutan giant flying

Marmots are heavier, though, with several species weighing 8 kilograms or more.