CDFA Pest Prevention Plant Regulation Practice Exam

According to the Ag Code, which of the following animals is explicitly prohibited?

1. Chipmunk

2. Flying fox

3. Red tree squirrel

4. Mice

The correct answer is: Flying fox

The choice of the flying fox as the explicitly prohibited animal aligns with the state's pest prevention regulations aimed at safeguarding local ecosystems and agriculture. Flying foxes, which are large fruit bats, can pose significant threats to fruit crops and can also act as carriers for certain diseases that affect both plants and animals, including livestock. Their presence in the area might lead to considerable agricultural damage and disrupt local fauna. This measure is crucial to ensure that the agricultural environment remains protected from potential invasive species that can harm both crops and native wildlife. By regulating the introduction or presence of such species, the Ag Code serves to maintain ecological balance and agricultural productivity in California. Other animals listed, like chipmunks, red tree squirrels, and mice, may have varying degrees of regulation but are not explicitly prohibited under the same stringent measures as the flying fox.