Bear Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. Researchers find bear droppings containing both berry seeds and insect remains. What is the most reasonable conclusion from that evidence alone?
The bear is an obligate herbivore
The bear had recently hunted a large mammal
The bear consumed foods from both plant and animal sources
The evidence identifies the exact bear species
2. The nickname “moon bear,” referring to a pale crescent-shaped chest marking, is commonly used for which species?
Asiatic black bear
Sloth bear
Spectacled bear
Sun bear
3. Brown bears carry salmon away from a stream and leave remains on the forest floor. What ecological effect can this have?
It prevents nutrients from entering forest soil
It transfers marine-derived nutrients into the surrounding land ecosystem
It converts the stream from freshwater to saltwater
It causes nearby trees to stop using soil nutrients
4. Among living bear species, which is the polar bear’s closest relative?
Giant panda
Brown bear
Spectacled bear
Sloth bear
5. To which biological family do all living bear species belong?
Ursidae
Canidae
Mustelidae
Felidae
6. A bear must remain active in severe Arctic cold while moving between sea ice and water. Which adaptation most directly limits heat loss?
Dense insulating fur combined with a thick layer of body fat
Large ears and sparse fur that release body heat
A dark outer coat that relies mainly on absorbing sunlight
A continuously high shivering rate without substantial insulation
7. At a designated campground in bear country, which food-storage choice best reduces the chance of attracting a bear?
Place food in a backpack and cover it with clothing to hide the odor
Keep sealed food inside the sleeping tent so it remains nearby
Hang food from any low branch a short distance from camp
Use an approved bear-resistant container or the storage system required by the site
8. Field notes describe a bear waiting beside a seal’s breathing hole on Arctic sea ice. Which species best fits the observation?
Brown bear
American black bear
Polar bear
Asiatic black bear
9. Why is the polar bear commonly classified as a marine mammal?
It can breathe underwater for long periods
It depends heavily on marine ecosystems and sea ice for hunting
It spends its entire life in the open ocean
It feeds only on fish caught beneath the ice
10. Which bear is especially adapted to feeding on ants and termites, using powerful claws and mobile lips?
Giant panda
Polar bear
Spectacled bear
Sloth bear
11. Which species is generally recognized as the smallest living bear?
American black bear
Spectacled bear
Sun bear
Asiatic black bear
12. Compared with many small hibernating mammals, what is distinctive about winter denning in bears?
Their body temperature falls to nearly the surrounding air temperature
Their body temperature drops relatively modestly while metabolism slows substantially
They wake every day to search for food outside the den
Their breathing and heart rate remain at normal active-season levels
13. Which food makes up most of a wild giant panda’s diet?
Bamboo
Tree bark
Fish
Termites
14. In a North American forest, a bear cub quickly climbs a tree when startled. Which species is generally the more capable and frequent tree climber, especially when young?
Brown bear
Giant panda
Polar bear
American black bear
15. Which living bear species is native to South America?
Sun bear
Sloth bear
Asiatic black bear
Spectacled bear
16. A ranger describes a North American bear with a prominent shoulder hump, a dish-shaped facial profile, and relatively short, rounded ears. Which bear is being described?
American black bear
Polar bear
Grizzly bear
Spectacled bear