A close up of a New Zealand falcon/kārearea wing
Image: Sabine Bernert | ©

Friday Conservation Week quiz

Introduction

Test your knowledge with the Friday Conservation Week quiz.

Do the quiz below and make sure to keep track of your score.

If you have any problems viewing the quiz, try using a different browser or view all the questions on one page.

Conservation Quiz 2020: Friday 21 August

Alpine rangers monitoring
Alpine rangers monitoring

Q1: Which of the following species does not live in alpine habitat?

Whitehead /
Whitehead / pōpokotea

Incorrect - it's the whitehead / pōpokotea!

The rock wren and the great spotted kiwi live in the harsh climates of high altitudes.

 

However, the whitehead, which is sometimes known as the 'bush canary', prefers the high canopies of the forest.

Whitehead /
Whitehead / pōpokotea

Correct - it's the whitehead / pōpokotea!

The rock wren and the great spotted kiwi live in the harsh climates of high altitudes.

 

However, the whitehead, which is sometimes known as the 'bush canary', prefers the high canopies of the forest.

Q2: New Zealand's marine environment has over how many known species?

Incorrect! It's over 15,000

Our marine environment is complex. It ranges from subtropical to subantarctic.

 

Having such diverse environments means we have over 15,000 known marine species. But scientists estimate we may have as many as 65,000.

Correct! It's over 15,000

Our marine environment is complex. It ranges from subtropical to subantarctic.

 

Having such diverse environments means we have over 15,000 known marine species. But scientists estimate we may have as many as 65,000.

Q3: The world’s only alpine parrot is a New Zealand native species – true or false?

Kea perched on a post.
Kea taking a breather at James Mackay Hut

Nope - it's true!

The endangered kea is the world's only alpine parrot, and one of the most intelligent birds.

 

The kea was crowned Bird of the Year in 2017.

Kea perched on a post.
Kea taking a breather at James Mackay Hut

Yes - it's true!

The endangered kea is the world's only alpine parrot, and one of the most intelligent birds.

 

The kea was crowned Bird of the Year in 2017.

Q4: Tuatara have an average life span of…

Incorrect - it's about 60 years on average

A tuatara’s average life span is about 60 years but can live to well over 100 years. They can even continue to breed at these advanced ages.

 

For example, at Southland Museum a male tuatara aged 111 years old and a female aged 80 hatched 11 healthy young in 2009.

Correct - it's about 60 years on average

A tuatara’s average life span is about 60 years but can live to well over 100 years. They can even continue to breed at these advanced ages.

 

For example, at Southland Museum a male tuatara aged 111 years old and a female aged 80 hatched 11 healthy young in 2009.

Q5: What bird was given the name ‘woodhen’ by early European settlers?

Drawing of weka from by John van Voorst published in 1888
Weka by John van Voorst, published in 1888

Incorrect - it's the weka!

Historically, the weka was a significant resource for some iwi and by early European settlers, who gave it the name 'woodhen'.

 

Despite the name, Weka occupy a range of habitats. They include forests, sub alpine grassland, sand dunes, rocky shores, and even modified, semi-urban environments.

Drawing of weka from by John van Voorst published in 1888
Weka by John van Voorst, published in 1888

Correct - it's the weka!

Historically, the weka was a significant resource for some iwi and by early European settlers, who gave it the name woodhen.

 

Despite the name, Weka occupy a range of habitats/ They include forests, sub alpine grassland, sand dunes, rocky shores, and even modified, semi-urban environments.

Q6: In cold weather, native bats decrease their body temperature, heart rate and energy needs. What is this temporary hibernation called?

Sleeping bat
A resting short-tailed bat

Correct - it's torpor!

Our bats go into what is known as a 'torpor' in cold weather and stay in their roosts.

 

They wake up as soon as the weather becomes warmer.

 

Sleeping bat
A resting short-tailed bat

Incorrect - it's torpor!

Our bats go into what is known as a 'torpor' in cold weather and stay in their roosts.

 

They wake up as soon as the weather becomes warmer.

 

Q7: How many native freshwater fish species does New Zealand have?

Incorrect - it's 51!

New Zealand has 51 native freshwater fish species. Our fish are often secretive and can be hard to find as they tend to feed at night and hide during the day.

Correct - it's 51!

New Zealand has 51 native freshwater fish species. Our fish are often secretive and can be hard to find as they tend to feed at night and hide during the day.

Hector's dolphin
Hector's dolphin

Q8: Our native dolphins, Maui and Hectors dolphin, communicate with…

Incorrect! It's clicks.

Whereas many other species of dolphins communicate with whistles, squeaks and clicks, Māui and Hector’s dolphins only use short, high frequency clicks.

 

They may also use a variety of other methods to communicate, such as slapping their tail on the water or leaping into the air.

Correct! It's clicks.

Whereas many other species of dolphins communicate with whistles, squeaks and clicks, Māui and Hector’s dolphins only use short, high frequency clicks.

 

They may also use a variety of other methods to communicate, such as slapping their tail on the water or leaping into the air.

Front of a bullers mollymawk
White-capped albatross by Vincent Zintzen

Q9: The most an albatross can swallow in one bite is about 500 g – true or false?

Buller's mollyhawk with it's mouth open
White-capped albatross by Vincent Zintzen

Yes - it's false!

Albatross can swallow over twice that much in one bite, swallowing food even over 1 kg in size.

 

Albatross eat from the water’s surface or just below. They use the hook on the end of their beak and its sharp edges to spear and break down food. 

 

Buller's mollyhawk with it's mouth open
White-capped albatross by Vincent Zintzen

Nope - it's false!

Albatross can swallow over twice that much in one bite, swallowing food even over 1 kg in size.

 

Albatross eat from the water’s surface or just below. They use the hook on the end of their beak and its sharp edges to spear and break down food. 

 

Q10: What famous American university research laboratory did DOC partner with for Royal Cam?

Incorrect! The answer is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of the natural world, Cornell Lab partnered with us in 2019 to support Royal Cam.

 

They also supplied our latest camera so viewers can now see even more of what’s happening in the nest.

Correct! The answer is the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Dedicated to advancing the understanding and protection of the natural world, Cornell Lab partnered with us in 2019 to support Royal Cam.

 

They also supplied our latest camera so viewers can now see even more of what’s happening in the nest.

Well done - you completed Friday's Conservation Week quiz!

Try another quiz challenge.

Back to top