Why is the polar bear counted as a marine mammal?

It depends on the sea ice and ocean for food

What is a major threat to Florida manatees?

Boat strikes and loss of seagrass

Marine Mammals Challenge – A 10-Question Trivia Quiz

Florida's manatees are distant cousins of elephants, and the marine mammals challenge reveals more surprising family ties beneath the waves. Meet whales, dolphins, seals, walruses, sea otters and even polar bears, from the warm springs of Florida to the ice of the Arctic.

Start Marine Mammals Challenge

🎯 Daily Trivia Challenge • 🧠 10 Questions • ⏱️ 150 Seconds

Question 1 / 10 Time: 150s

Group
Which group includes manatees and dugongs?
Relative
Which land animal is the manatee's closest living relative?
Polar
Why is the polar bear counted as a marine mammal?
Breathe
How do all marine mammals breathe?
Milk
Which is a key trait of marine mammals?
Dugong
What do dugongs eat?
Otter
Which is the smallest marine mammal?
Steller
Which giant sirenian was hunted to extinction by 1768?
Protection
Which US law passed in 1972 protects marine mammals?
Boats
What is a major threat to Florida manatees?

Explanations: answer key for all 10 questions

Q1: Which group includes manatees and dugongs?
Answer: Sirenians
They may have inspired mermaid legends.
Q2: Which land animal is the manatee's closest living relative?
Answer: Elephant
They share a common ancestor.
Q3: Why is the polar bear counted as a marine mammal?
Answer: It depends on the sea ice and ocean for food
It is a strong swimmer.
Q4: How do all marine mammals breathe?
Answer: With lungs, at the surface
Whales use blowholes.
Q5: Which is a key trait of marine mammals?
Answer: Females feed their young milk
Seal milk is very fatty.
Q6: What do dugongs eat?
Answer: Seagrass
They are called sea cows.
Q7: Which is the smallest marine mammal?
Answer: Sea otter
It has the densest fur.
Q8: Which giant sirenian was hunted to extinction by 1768?
Answer: Steller's sea cow
It was found near the Commander Islands.
Q9: Which US law passed in 1972 protects marine mammals?
Answer: Marine Mammal Protection Act
It bans most hunting and harassment.
Q10: What is a major threat to Florida manatees?
Answer: Boat strikes and loss of seagrass
Many have propeller scars.

Marine Mammals Challenge – Mammals of the Sea

Marine mammals are mammals that depend on the ocean for food and life. They include cetaceans like whales and dolphins, pinnipeds such as seals and walruses, sirenians like manatees and dugongs, and sea otters and polar bears.

Like all mammals, they breathe air, are warm-blooded and nurse their young with milk. They stay warm with blubber or thick fur, hold their breath for long dives and use sound, sight and touch to find food and communicate.

Many marine mammals were hunted heavily, and Steller's sea cow was wiped out. Laws like the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act helped many species recover, but boat strikes, fishing nets, noise and warming seas remain threats.

What This Quiz Teaches

Ocean fans and students will enjoy these questions.

Which groups are marine mammals
How manatees relate to elephants
How they breathe
Which went extinct
What protects them

Did You Know?

Walruses can sleep while floating.
Dugongs live only in salt water.
Manatees replace their teeth.
Sea lions can recognize rhythm.
Narwhals live in Arctic waters.