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The Formosan black bear is classified as a subspecies of the American black bear, *Ursus americanus*.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Formosan black bear (*Ursus thibetanus formosanus*) is a subspecies of the Asian black bear (*Ursus thibetanus*), not the American black bear.
Robert Swinhoe, a British naturalist, first described the Formosan black bear in the mid-19th century.
Answer: True
Explanation: Robert Swinhoe, a British naturalist, first described the Formosan black bear in 1864, which falls within the mid-19th century.
The Formosan black bear is also commonly known as the 'mountain bear' due to its habitat.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Formosan black bear is also known as the Taiwanese black bear or the white-throated bear, not the 'mountain bear'.
Formosan black bears are characterized by a slender build, long neck, and large eyes.
Answer: False
Explanation: Formosan black bears are sturdily built with a round head, short neck, and small eyes, not a slender build, long neck, and large eyes.
The distinctive 'V' or crescent moon mark on the chest of the Formosan black bear has earned it the nickname 'lunar bear'.
Answer: True
Explanation: The distinctive yellowish or white 'V' character or crescent moon shape on its chest has indeed earned the Formosan black bear the nickname 'lunar bear'.
The ears of a Formosan black bear are typically 15-20 cm long.
Answer: False
Explanation: The ears of a Formosan black bear are typically 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 inches) long, not 15-20 cm.
Formosan black bears are sometimes called 'dog bears' because of their dog-like snout.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Formosan black bear is indeed sometimes nicknamed 'dog bear' due to its snout resembling that of a dog.
The typical weight range for a Formosan black bear is 30 to 80 kg.
Answer: False
Explanation: Formosan black bears typically weigh between 60 to 200 kg (130 to 440 lb), not 30 to 80 kg.
The Formosan black bear's body is covered with rough, glossy, black hair that can grow over 10 cm long around the neck.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Formosan black bear's body is indeed covered with rough, glossy, black hair that can grow over 10 cm long around the neck.
The Formosan black bear is classified under the Subfamily Ailuropodinae.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Formosan black bear is classified under the Subfamily Ursinae, not Ailuropodinae (which includes giant pandas).
Which of the following is the correct scientific classification for the Formosan black bear?
Answer: *Ursus thibetanus formosanus*
Explanation: The scientific classification for the Formosan black bear is *Ursus thibetanus formosanus*, as it is a subspecies of the Asian black bear.
Who first described the Formosan black bear?
Answer: Robert Swinhoe
Explanation: Robert Swinhoe, a British naturalist, first described the Formosan black bear in 1864.
What is an alternative name for the Formosan black bear?
Answer: White-throated bear
Explanation: The Formosan black bear is also known as the Taiwanese black bear or the white-throated bear.
What distinctive mark is found on the chest of a Formosan black bear?
Answer: A 'V' character or crescent moon shape
Explanation: The Formosan black bear has a distinctive yellowish or white mark shaped like a 'V' character or a crescent moon on its chest.
What nickname has the distinctive chest mark earned the Formosan black bear?
Answer: Lunar bear
Explanation: The distinctive 'V' or crescent moon mark on its chest has earned the Formosan black bear the nickname 'lunar bear'.
What is the typical length range for the ears of a Formosan black bear?
Answer: 8-12 cm
Explanation: The ears of a Formosan black bear are typically 8–12 cm (3.1–4.7 inches) long.
Why is the Formosan black bear sometimes nicknamed 'dog bear'?
Answer: Because its snout resembles that of a dog
Explanation: The Formosan black bear is sometimes nicknamed 'dog bear' because its snout resembles that of a dog.
What is the typical weight range for a Formosan black bear?
Answer: 60 to 200 kg
Explanation: Formosan black bears typically weigh between 60 to 200 kg (130 to 440 lb).
Which physical characteristic helps distinguish the Formosan black bear visually, leading to its 'dog bear' nickname?
Answer: Its snout resembling that of a dog
Explanation: The Formosan black bear's snout resembles that of a dog, which is why it is sometimes nicknamed 'dog bear'.
What is the general appearance of the Formosan black bear's body hair?
Answer: Rough, glossy, black, and can grow over 10 cm long around the neck.
Explanation: The Formosan black bear's body is covered with rough, glossy, black hair, which can grow over 10 cm long around the neck.
The Formosan black bear is endemic to Taiwan and is the only native bear species found there.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Formosan black bear is endemic to Taiwan and is indeed the only native bear species found on the island.
The estimated population of Formosan black bears is between 200 and 600 individuals, restricted to high-elevation areas.
Answer: True
Explanation: The estimated population size of Formosan black bears is indeed between 200 and 600 individuals, found in remote, rugged areas at elevations between 1,000 and 3,500 meters.
Formosan black bears are strict carnivores, primarily hunting small mammals.
Answer: False
Explanation: Formosan black bears are omnivores, primarily feeding on leaves, buds, fruits, and roots, though they do supplement their diet with insects and small animals.
In Yushan National Park, Formosan black bears consume fat-loaded hard mast during the spring.
Answer: False
Explanation: In Yushan National Park, Formosan black bears consume succulent vegetation in spring and fat-loaded hard mast during the fall and winter months.
The largest populations of Formosan black bears are found in coastal lowlands.
Answer: False
Explanation: The largest populations of Formosan black bears are found in mountainous areas like Taroko National Park, and their habitat is restricted to elevations between 1,000 and 3,000 meters, not coastal lowlands.
Formosan black bears inhabit mountainous forests in the eastern two-thirds of Taiwan.
Answer: True
Explanation: Formosan black bears indeed inhabit the mountainous forests in the eastern two-thirds of Taiwan, at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters.
The Formosan black bear is the second largest land animal in Taiwan.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Formosan black bear is the largest land animal and the only native bear species in Taiwan.
Where is the Formosan black bear endemic to?
Answer: Taiwan
Explanation: The Formosan black bear is endemic to Taiwan, meaning it is found nowhere else in the world naturally.
What is the estimated population size of Formosan black bears?
Answer: 200 to 600 individuals
Explanation: The estimated population of Formosan black bears ranges from 200 to 600 individuals.
What is the primary diet of the Formosan black bear?
Answer: Primarily leaves, buds, fruits, and roots
Explanation: Formosan black bears are omnivores, primarily feeding on leaves, buds, fruits, and roots, supplemented by other items.
In Yushan National Park, what do Formosan black bears primarily consume during the fall and winter months?
Answer: Fat-loaded hard mast like acorns and walnuts
Explanation: During the fall and winter months in Yushan National Park, Formosan black bears primarily consume fat-loaded hard mast, such as acorns and walnuts.
Which of these national parks is known to host one of the largest populations of Formosan black bears?
Answer: Taroko National Park
Explanation: Taroko National Park is noted as hosting one of the largest populations of Formosan black bears.
What is the typical elevation range of the Formosan black bear's habitat in Taiwan?
Answer: 1,000 to 3,000 meters
Explanation: The Formosan black bear typically inhabits mountainous forests at elevations ranging from 1,000 to 3,000 meters (3,300 to 9,800 feet).
Formosan black bears hibernate during the winter months, similar to other Asiatic black bears in temperate regions.
Answer: False
Explanation: Unlike other Asiatic black bears in temperate areas, Formosan black bears do not hibernate in winter; instead, they move to lower elevations to find food.
Formosan black bears are primarily nocturnal throughout the year.
Answer: False
Explanation: Formosan black bears are primarily active during the day in spring and summer, becoming increasingly active at night only in fall/winter when acorns are abundant.
Formosan black bears are social animals, often living in small family groups.
Answer: False
Explanation: Formosan black bears are solitary animals, generally living alone except during mating season or when a mother is caring for cubs.
Formosan black bears are unique among bear species for making temporary nests.
Answer: True
Explanation: Formosan black bears are indeed the only bears known to construct temporary nests, a unique behavioral trait.
Formosan black bears are slow runners but excellent swimmers.
Answer: False
Explanation: Formosan black bears can run at speeds of 30–40 km per hour, easily outrunning humans, and are also skilled swimmers and climbers.
Formosan black bears frequently attack humans without provocation.
Answer: False
Explanation: Formosan black bears rarely attack humans without provocation and typically retreat and run away in most encounters.
The mating season for Formosan black bears typically occurs from March to May.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mating for Formosan black bears typically occurs from June to August, not March to May.
Male Formosan black bears reach sexual maturity at a younger age than females.
Answer: False
Explanation: Female Formosan black bears reach sexual maturity at ages 3–4, while males typically reach it one year later, at ages 4–5.
The gestation period for Formosan black bears is approximately 12 months.
Answer: False
Explanation: The gestation period for Formosan black bears lasts for 6–7 months, not approximately 12 months.
Formosan black bear cubs stay with their mother for about two years.
Answer: True
Explanation: Formosan black bear cubs remain with their mother for approximately two years, until she enters her next estrus cycle.
Formosan black bears have a 3-year reproductive cycle.
Answer: False
Explanation: Formosan black bears have a 2-year reproductive cycle, which includes gestation, nursing, and cub independence.
A bowl-shaped ground nest is a unique temporary shelter constructed by Formosan black bears.
Answer: True
Explanation: Formosan black bears are uniquely known to construct temporary, bowl-shaped ground nests as shelters.
Formosan black bears are active for less than half of daylight hours.
Answer: False
Explanation: Formosan black bears are active for 54–57% of daylight hours, which is more than half.
The courtship period for Formosan black bears is typically several weeks long.
Answer: False
Explanation: The courtship period for Formosan black bears is very brief, lasting only a few days.
Wild female Formosan black bears usually give birth between December and February.
Answer: True
Explanation: Wild female Formosan black bears typically give birth between December and the following February, after a 6–7 month gestation period.
Each Formosan black bear litter typically consists of 4-5 cubs.
Answer: False
Explanation: Each Formosan black bear litter typically consists of 1–3 cubs, not 4-5.
How do Formosan black bears adapt to winter conditions, unlike other Asiatic black bears in temperate areas?
Answer: They move to lower elevations to find food.
Explanation: Unlike other Asiatic black bears, Formosan black bears do not hibernate but instead move to lower elevations within their mountainous habitat to find food during winter.
When are Formosan black bears most active at night?
Answer: Fall/winter, when acorns are abundant.
Explanation: Formosan black bears become increasingly active at night in fall/winter, particularly when acorns are abundant.
What is the typical social behavior of Formosan black bears?
Answer: They are solitary animals.
Explanation: Formosan black bears are solitary animals, generally living alone except during mating season or when a mother is caring for cubs.
What unique behavior related to shelter is observed in Formosan black bears?
Answer: They are the only bears known to make temporary nests.
Explanation: Formosan black bears are unique among bear species for their behavior of making temporary nests.
How fast can Formosan black bears run?
Answer: 30-40 km per hour
Explanation: Formosan black bears can run at speeds of 30–40 km (19–25 miles) per hour.
How do Formosan black bears typically react to humans in the wild?
Answer: They usually retreat and run away.
Explanation: Formosan black bears typically retreat and run away from humans in most encounters, rarely attacking without provocation.
When does mating for Formosan black bears typically occur?
Answer: June to August
Explanation: Mating for Formosan black bears typically occurs from June to August.
At what age do female Formosan black bears typically reach sexual maturity?
Answer: 3-4 years old
Explanation: Female Formosan black bears typically reach sexual maturity at ages 3–4.
What is the typical gestation period for Formosan black bears?
Answer: 6-7 months
Explanation: The gestation period for Formosan black bears lasts for 6–7 months.
How many cubs are typically born in a Formosan black bear litter?
Answer: 1-3 cubs
Explanation: Each Formosan black bear litter typically consists of 1–3 cubs.
For how long do Formosan black bear cubs typically stay with their mother?
Answer: Approximately two years
Explanation: Formosan black bear cubs typically stay with their mother for approximately two years.
What is the reproductive cycle length for Formosan black bears?
Answer: 2 years
Explanation: Formosan black bears have a 2-year reproductive cycle.
What is the primary reason Formosan black bears are rarely seen in the wild?
Answer: Their endangered status and natural tendency to avoid humans.
Explanation: Formosan black bears are rarely seen in the wild due to their endangered status and their natural tendency to avoid human contact.
Internationally, the Formosan black bear is listed as 'Endangered' by the IUCN Red List.
Answer: False
Explanation: Internationally, the Formosan black bear is listed as 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN Red List, though it is considered 'endangered' in Taiwan.
The primary threat to Formosan black bear populations is a lack of suitable mating partners.
Answer: False
Explanation: The primary threats to Formosan black bear populations are severe exploitation (illegal hunting and poaching) and habitat degradation, not a lack of suitable mating partners.
The Formosan clouded leopard is still present in Taiwan, unlike the Formosan black bear.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Formosan clouded leopard is now extinct, while the Formosan black bear, though endangered, has managed to survive in Taiwan.
A 1998-2000 survey in Yushan National Park found no evidence of injuries from illegal traps on captured Formosan black bears.
Answer: False
Explanation: A 1998-2000 survey in Yushan National Park revealed that eight of fifteen captured bears had missing toes or paws, indicating injuries from illegal traps.
Formosan black bears have been legally protected in Taiwan since 1989.
Answer: True
Explanation: Formosan black bears have been legally protected in Taiwan since 1989 under the Wildlife Conservation Act.
CITES Appendix II bans all international trade of products derived from the Asiatic black bear species.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Asiatic black bear species is listed on CITES Appendix I, which bans all international trade of its products, not Appendix II.
Recent footage of a mother bear and cubs crossing a river offers a hopeful sign for Formosan black bear conservation.
Answer: True
Explanation: Footage from 2009 showing a mother bear and her two cubs crossing a rapid was indeed seen as a hopeful sign for the species' continued existence.
According to the IUCN Red List, what is the international conservation status of the Formosan black bear?
Answer: Vulnerable
Explanation: Internationally, the Formosan black bear is listed as 'Vulnerable' by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Which of the following is a primary threat to wild Formosan black bear populations?
Answer: Severe exploitation and habitat degradation
Explanation: The primary threats to wild Formosan black bear populations are severe exploitation (illegal hunting and poaching) and habitat degradation.
Which of the following large terrestrial mammals, once found in Taiwan alongside the Formosan black bear, is now extinct?
Answer: Formosan clouded leopard
Explanation: The Formosan clouded leopard, once one of Taiwan's largest terrestrial mammals, is now extinct.
What did a 1998-2000 survey in Yushan National Park reveal about the Formosan black bear population?
Answer: Evidence of injuries caused by illegal traps.
Explanation: A 1998-2000 survey in Yushan National Park revealed that a significant number of captured bears had injuries from illegal traps.
Since when have Formosan black bears been legally protected in Taiwan?
Answer: 1989
Explanation: Formosan black bears have been legally protected in Taiwan since 1989 under the Wildlife Conservation Act.
What is the international trade status of the Asiatic black bear species, including the Formosan subspecies?
Answer: Listed on CITES Appendix I, banning all international trade.
Explanation: The entire species of Asiatic black bear, including the Formosan subspecies, is listed on CITES Appendix I, which bans all international trade of its products.
Traditional taboos of Taiwanese aborigines are believed to have contributed to the survival of Formosan black bears.
Answer: True
Explanation: Research suggests that traditional taboos and myths of Taiwanese aborigines regarding bears may have contributed to the Formosan black bear's survival.
The Bunun people refer to black bears as 'the forest guardian'.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Bunun people refer to black bears as *Aguman* or *Duman*, meaning 'the devil,' not 'the forest guardian'.
Among the Rukai and Paiwan people, hunting bears is strictly forbidden and considered a severe crime.
Answer: False
Explanation: Among the Rukai and Paiwan people, hunting bears is permitted, but hunters are believed to incur an ancient curse, rather than it being strictly forbidden or a severe crime.
In Taroko legend, Formosan black bears are seen as 'kings of the forest' and their white chest marks represent the sun.
Answer: False
Explanation: In Taroko legend, Formosan black bears are 'kings of the forest,' but their white chest marks are believed to represent the moon, not the sun.
Hunters of bears are generally more respected than hunters of boars among indigenous tribes in Taiwan.
Answer: False
Explanation: Among indigenous hunting tribes, hunters of boars are respected as heroes, while hunters of bears are generally considered losers.
Conservationists view the Formosan black bear as a 'soul of Taiwan's mountains'.
Answer: True
Explanation: Conservationists, such as Mei-Hsiu Hwang, refer to the Formosan black bear as the 'soul of Taiwan's mountains,' emphasizing its deep cultural and ecological value.
The Formosan black bear was voted the most representative wildlife of Taiwan in 2010.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Formosan black bear was voted the most representative wildlife of Taiwan in 2001, not 2010.
Taiwanese pilots have used the Formosan black bear in morale patches to represent a political statement.
Answer: True
Explanation: Taiwanese pilots have used morale patches depicting the Formosan black bear punching Winnie-the-Pooh, which serves as a contemporary cultural and political statement.
The Formosan black bear was the mascot for the 2017 Winter Olympics.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Formosan black bear was the mascot for the 2017 Summer Universiade, held in Taipei, Taiwan, not the Winter Olympics.
The Formosan black bear holds significant cultural importance, representing the Taiwanese nation.
Answer: True
Explanation: The Formosan black bear holds significant cultural importance in Taiwan, being seen to represent the Taiwanese nation.
What theory suggests why Formosan black bears survived while Formosan clouded leopards went extinct?
Answer: Myths and traditional taboos of Taiwanese aborigines regarding bears.
Explanation: Research suggests that traditional taboos of Taiwanese aborigines regarding bears may have contributed to their survival, unlike the Formosan clouded leopard.
How do the Bunun people refer to black bears?
Answer: The devil
Explanation: The Bunun people refer to black bears as *Aguman* or *Duman*, meaning 'the devil'.
Among the Rukai and Paiwan people, what is believed to happen to hunters who kill bears?
Answer: They incur an ancient curse.
Explanation: Among the Rukai and Paiwan people, hunters who kill bears are believed to incur an ancient curse.
In Taroko (Truku) legend, what do the distinctive white chest marks of Formosan black bears represent?
Answer: The moon
Explanation: In Taroko legend, the distinctive white chest marks of Formosan black bears are believed to represent the moon.
How are hunters of bears generally perceived compared to hunters of boars among indigenous tribes in Taiwan?
Answer: Hunters of boars are respected as heroes, while bear hunters are considered losers.
Explanation: Among indigenous hunting tribes, hunters of boars are respected as heroes, while hunters of bears are generally considered losers.
What cultural recognition did the Formosan black bear receive in 2001?
Answer: It was voted the most representative wildlife of Taiwan.
Explanation: In 2001, the Formosan black bear was voted the most representative wildlife of Taiwan in a countrywide voting campaign.
How have Taiwanese pilots incorporated the Formosan black bear into morale patches?
Answer: Depicting the bear punching Winnie-the-Pooh.
Explanation: Taiwanese pilots have used morale patches depicting the Formosan black bear punching Winnie-the-Pooh as a cultural and political statement.
What event featured the Formosan black bear as a mascot in 2017?
Answer: The Summer Universiade
Explanation: The Formosan black bear was chosen as the mascot for the 2017 Summer Universiade, held in Taipei, Taiwan.
What is the significance of the Formosan black bear in Taiwan?
Answer: It represents the Taiwanese nation and is the largest native land animal.
Explanation: The Formosan black bear holds significant cultural importance, representing the Taiwanese nation, and is also the largest native land animal in Taiwan.