Combine multiple taxonomic features (habitat + morphology + geography + behavior) to identify and locate target species
When a question provides multiple biological features of a species — appearance, behavior, habitat, geographic range, cultural significance — and you need to identify the organism.
Species identification questions typically provide 3-5 taxonomic features. Select the 2-3 most distinctive features and combine them in a single search. Geographic distribution + one unique behavioral trait is often enough to identify the species.
After identification, verify by checking that ALL features in the question match the candidate species. If not, try another combination.
When a question mentions country-level demographics (population growth projections, population density, endemic species), identify the country first before searching for the species. Key indicators:
This step often resolves the entire question: once the country is identified, "endangered species endemic to [country]" becomes a tractable search.
[distinctive behavior] [geographic region] [habitat type] [morphological feature][species name] described named [era] [naming author] naturalist[country name] endemic endangered [species type] [conservation status]"[state/region name]" population density [year] [value]insect delicacy northern South Africa burrowing underground pupateMopane Worm harvesting project early 2010s protein source quoted"Meghalaya population density 2011 132 per sq km" → confirmed India"devil's basket" carnivorous species endemic India endangered → found Nepenthes khasiana