Questions
- What is the official status of the Bay checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis)?
- Around what year did the Bay checkerspot became extinct in Edgewood?
- What does the term “drive-by extinction” refer to?
- Where is the only thriving colony of the Bay checkerspot butterfly currently found?
- What plant is required by the post-diapause larvae of Bay checkerspots? What does it mean that this plant is endemic to serpentine soil?
- The Bay checkerspot takes _____________________ to complete its life cycle and lives as an adult butterfly for about ______________________.
- In what form, where, and doing what does the Bay checkerspot spend most of its life?
- What is the approximate survival rate of the Bay checkerspot from egg to adult?
- The range of the San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes annectens) is limited to _______________________________ and ___________________________mountains and foothills.
- What is the official status of the dusky-footed woodrat?
- Unlike the omnivorous European rat, the dusky-footed woodrat is an ____________________________ and, also unlike the European rat, the female will generally have __________ litter(s) per year, each with __________ pups.
- Why is the dusky-footed woodrat considered a keystone species?
- The dusky-footed woodrat uses small twigs and leaves of what plant in their stick houses to deter fleas, mites and other parasites.
- A series of mounds of freshly turned earth, a common sight near Edgewood trails, are created by what animal?
- The turret spider found at Edgewood is endemic to ____________________.
- The turret spider is related to what other ancient spiders also found at Edgewood? These spiders all have fangs that swing how?
- The female turret spider can live up to _______ years.
- Adult ____________ (male/female) turret spiders leave their burrows only once in order to mate; adult ____________ (male/female) turret spiders never leave their burrows.
- Which tick species is the primary vector of Lyme disease in our region?
- Approximately _______% of this tick species (see previous question) in San Mateo County carry the Lyme disease bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi).
- What is the year-round resident hummingbird at Edgewood?
- Approximately thirty nesting boxes have been placed in Edgewood as part of a project to support what bird?
- What are the bare zones around shrubs made by rabbits and other small animals called?
- The black-tailed jackrabbit is actually a ________________, not a rabbit.
- What is the deer commonly seen at Edgewood?
- You see a paw print somewhat triangular in shape with indentations at the end of the pads suggesting claws. This is most likely the print of what animal?
- What are the three species of squirrel found in Edgewood?
- What is the name of the rattlesnake found at Edgewood?
- What is the non-poisonous snake at Edgewood that, though lacking a rattle, may from a distance look like a rattlesnake?
- Are there mountain lions at Edgewood?
- Are there bobcats at Edgewood?
- What bug makes that loud clicking noise that vibrates through the trees in springtime?
Answers
- What is the official status of the Bay checkerspot butterfly (Euphydryas editha bayensis)?
Federally-listed endangered species
- Around what year did the Bay checkerspot become extinct in Edgewood?
2000
- What does the term “drive-by extinction” refer to?
Exhaust fumes (nitrogen oxide and ammonia) from cars on I-280 were fertilizing the serpentine grasslands, fostering the growth of non-native grasses.
- Where is the only thriving colony of the Bay checkerspot butterfly currently found?
Coyote Ridge, just south of San Jose
- What plant is required by the post-diapause larvae of Bay checkerspots? What does it mean that this plant is endemic to serpentine soil?
California plantain (Plantago erecta); endemic = exclusively confined to
- The Bay checkerspot takes _____________________ to complete its life cycle and lives as an adult butterfly for about ______________________.
one year; one week
- In what form, where, and doing what does the Bay checkerspot spend most of its life?
As a larva, under rocks and in soil cracks, during a long period of summer dormancy (diapause)
- What is the approximate survival rate of the Bay checkerspot from egg to adult?
0.05% : about 5 in 10,000
- The range of the San Francisco dusky-footed woodrat (Neotoma fuscipes annectens) is limited to _______________________________ and ___________________________mountains and foothills.
San Francisco and Santa Cruz
- What is the official status of the dusky-footed woodrat?
California Subspecies of Special Concern with local protections.
- Unlike the omnivorous European rat, the dusky-footed woodrat is an ____________________________ and, also unlike the European rat, the female will generally have __________ litter(s) per year, each with __________ pups.
herbivore; one litter; 2-3 pups
- Why is the dusky-footed woodrat considered a keystone species?
Their stick houses are relied upon by many live-in species (insects, mice, salamanders).
- The dusky-footed woodrat uses small twigs and leaves of what plant in their stick houses to deter fleas, mites and other parasites.
California bay
- A series of mounds of freshly turned earth, a common sight near Edgewood trails, are created by what animal?
Botta’s pocket gopher
- The turret spider found at Edgewood is endemic to ____________________.
California
- The turret spider is related to what other ancient spiders also found at Edgewood? These spiders all have fangs that swing how?
Tarantulas (and trap-door spiders); straight down (as opposed to pinch from the sides)
- The female turret spider can live up to _______ years.
16
- Adult ____________ (male/female) turret spiders leave their burrows only once in order to mate; adult ____________ (male/female) turret spiders never leave their burrows.
male; female
- Which tick species is the primary vector of Lyme disease in our region?
Western black-legged tick
- Approximately _______% of this tick species (see previous question) in San Mateo County carry the Lyme disease bacteria (Borrelia burgdorferi).
3%
- What is the year-round resident hummingbird at Edgewood?
Anna’s hummingbird
- Approximately thirty nesting boxes have been placed in Edgewood as part of a project to support what bird?
Western bluebird
- What are the bare zones around shrubs made by rabbits and other small animals called?
Scurry zones or bravery zones
- The black-tailed jackrabbit is actually a ________________, not a rabbit.
hare
- What is the deer commonly seen at Edgewood?
Columbian black-tailed deer
- You see a paw print somewhat triangular in shape with indentations at the end of the pads suggesting claws. This is most likely the print of what animal?
Canide (dog/coyote)
- What are the three species of squirrel found in Edgewood?
Eastern gray squirrel, Western gray squirrel, and fox squirrel
- What is the name of the rattlesnake found at Edgewood?
Northern Pacific rattlesnake
- What is the non-poisonous snake at Edgewood that, though lacking a rattle, may from a distance look like a rattlesnake?
Pacific gopher snake
- Are there mountain lions at Edgewood?
Yes. Evidence tells us that at least one mountain lion counts Edgewood in its home range, an area that can include 10,000 acres.
- Are there bobcats at Edgewood?
Yes. Evidence suggests that several bobcats live and hunt in Edgewood.
- What bug makes that loud clicking noise that vibrates through the trees in springtime?
Cicadas (one of 18 cicada species)