Arctic & Antarctic Animals Quiz

Question 1

Where do polar bears live — the Arctic or the Antarctic?

Accepted Answer

The Arctic (North Pole)

Answer

The Antarctic (South Pole)

Answer

Both poles equally

Answer

They live in neither — only in Canada

Question 2

Which is the tallest and heaviest penguin species?

Accepted Answer

Emperor penguin

Answer

King penguin

Answer

Chinstrap penguin

Answer

Adelie penguin

Question 3

How does a polar bear's fur keep it warm?

Accepted Answer

Each hollow, transparent hair reflects light and traps heat like a solar collector

Answer

It is very thick like sheep's wool

Answer

It secretes an oil that insulates against cold water

Answer

It has no fur — just very thick skin

Question 4

Which Arctic animal can dive to 1,500 metres deep, has a spiral tusk, and is sometimes called the 'unicorn of the sea'?

Accepted Answer

Narwhal

Answer

Beluga whale

Answer

Orca

Answer

Bowhead whale

Question 5

What is the Arctic fox's most impressive adaptation for winter survival?

Accepted Answer

Its coat changes from brown/grey in summer to pure white in winter for camouflage in snow

Answer

It hibernates for the whole winter

Answer

It migrates south to warmer climates in winter

Answer

It stores enough fat in summer to last all winter without eating

Question 6

What do emperor penguin fathers do to keep their egg warm in Antarctic winter?

Accepted Answer

They balance the egg on their feet and cover it with a warm brood pouch

Answer

They build a nest lined with feathers

Answer

They take turns sitting on the egg with the mother

Answer

They bury the egg in snow for insulation

Question 7

Which sea mammal covered in whiskers and lying on Arctic ice is a primary food source for polar bears?

Accepted Answer

Harp seal

Answer

Walrus

Answer

Sea lion

Answer

Bearded seal

Question 8

The walrus has long tusks. What are they used for?

Accepted Answer

For hauling themselves out of water onto ice, for fighting rivals, and for social display

Answer

For hunting fish underwater

Answer

For digging under ice for clams

Answer

Only for displaying to attract mates

Question 9

Which Antarctic animal is the biggest predator of seals and penguins in Antarctica (besides orcas)?

Accepted Answer

Leopard seal

Answer

Elephant seal

Answer

Weddell seal

Answer

Southern fur seal

Question 10

What allows reindeer (caribou) to survive Arctic winters without starving?

Accepted Answer

Their eyes change to UV-vision mode and their hooves widen for snow, enabling year-round grazing

Answer

They hibernate through winter

Answer

They can eat bark and wood in emergencies

Answer

They migrate to warmer areas in winter

Question 11

Which Arctic whale has a pure white colour and is known for its vocal calls?

Accepted Answer

Beluga whale

Answer

Narwhal

Answer

Bowhead whale

Answer

Humpback whale

Question 12

How do penguins stay warm in freezing Antarctic temperatures?

Accepted Answer

They have blubber, tightly packed waterproof feathers, and huddle together for warmth

Answer

They generate heat by constantly moving their flippers

Answer

They have special blood that doesn't freeze

Answer

They sleep underground in insulated burrows

Question 13

The Arctic tern makes the longest migration of any animal. How far does it travel each year?

Accepted Answer

About 70,000 km — from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back

Answer

About 10,000 km

Answer

About 30,000 km

Answer

About 150,000 km

Question 14

Which large Arctic marine mammal can hold its breath for over 90 minutes when diving?

Accepted Answer

Weddell seal

Answer

Harp seal

Answer

Walrus

Answer

Polar bear

Question 15

What is the musk ox's main defence against predators like wolves?

Accepted Answer

It forms a defensive circle with horns pointing outward and young in the centre

Answer

It runs very fast across open tundra

Answer

It charges individually at each predator in turn

Answer

It emits a powerful musk odour that repels wolves

Question 16

How many species of penguin exist in the world?

Accepted Answer

18

Answer

4

Answer

8

Answer

27

Question 17

What do orcas (killer whales) do when hunting seals resting on ice floes in Antarctica?

Accepted Answer

They work in coordinated groups to create waves that wash seals off ice floes

Answer

They leap onto the ice to catch seals

Answer

They break the ice from below with their heads

Answer

They wait for seals to enter the water to drink

Question 18

Which Arctic animal has translucent skin, can survive being frozen, and is sometimes called a 'sea grape'?

Accepted Answer

Sea angel (pteropod)

Answer

Arctic jellyfish

Answer

Amphipod

Answer

Arctic isopod

Question 19

The snowy owl lives in the Arctic. Unlike most owls, when does it hunt?

Accepted Answer

During the day as well as night, because Arctic summers have 24-hour daylight

Answer

Only at night like all owls

Answer

Only at dawn and dusk

Answer

Primarily in total darkness under snow

Question 20

What is the key difference between the Arctic and Antarctic environments?

Accepted Answer

The Arctic is a frozen ocean surrounded by land; the Antarctic is a continent surrounded by ocean

Answer

The Arctic is colder than the Antarctic

Answer

The Antarctic has more land wildlife than the Arctic

Answer

There is no significant difference — both are just ice