Mammals Starting With "J" Trivia Quiz

Answer: They like to swim.

The jaguar is the third largest cat on the planet after the tiger and lion, and is the largest in the New World. Jaguars have a beautiful spotted coat like a leopard, but they love the water and are often seen swimming just like tigers do. Except when mating, jaguars are solitary animals, and the female provides all upbringing.

Answer: Javan rhinoceros

The Javan rhinoceros is one of the rarest large mammals on the planet. The population has fallen below 60 individuals. All of these animals are kept in the Ujung Kulon National Park in Indonesia. There are none in any of the world's zoos. This species only has one horn instead of two like some of the other species of rhino.

There is little known about this animal in the wild because they lived in extremely dense jungle, are very shy, and they have never been bred in captivity. All rhinoceros are threatened with extinction because they are hunted for their horns which are used in local medicinal practices.

Answer: Omnivorous scavenger

Jackals are small to medium-sized wild canines. They are found in Asia, Africa, and some parts of Europe. They usually live and hunt in pairs, focusing on prey such as rabbits, birds, and rodents. They will also partake of any dead animals they come upon. When meat cannot be found, this omnivorous scavenger will also eat fruit and other available plants.

Answer: India

The jungle cat is indigenous to southern regions of Asia, with the largest populations found in India. In spite of their name they are not usually found in jungles or rainforests. They prefer tropical dry forest, and the shore areas of lakes and rivers. These cats have even been found in Egyptian tombs. Habitat loss is their biggest threat.

Answer: True

The Javan tiger went extinct after intensive hunting by man. European immigrants hired the locals to exterminate this animal, and in a little over a century they succeeded. This was one of the smallest of the subspecies of tigers and had narrow striping.

The decrease in size is common among island mammals as is the easiness with which their entire populations can be annihilated. One of the more interesting things about this deliberate decimation of a subspecies is that the locals considered the tiger to be a reincarnation of their dead relatives.

Answer: Jumping mouse

The jerboa is a long-tailed rodent known for its large ears and leaping abilities. During the day, jerboas rest in their burrows which they will often plug with mud to keep the temperature down and retain moisture. At night, they go looking for seeds, insects and succulent plants. They make their homes in the arid steppes of Europe, Asia, and northern Africa.

Answer: Jaguarundi

The jaguarundi is a unique wild cat found in Central and South America. They are thought to exist in very isolated populations in the U.S. Their long, sleek bodies are more reminiscent of a weasel than most other cats. They are a very vocal cat with a variety of calls.

They are nocturnal hunters that prey on smaller mammals, reptiles and birds. They can be found in caves, trees and on the ground.

Answer: Leveret

Jackrabbits are found all over North America and are solitary animals except during breeding season. Unlike their cousin, the rabbit, they do not burrow, preferring to lie in a shallow depression in the high grass. During the day, they will lie in this depression, which also serves as a nest, trying to stay cool.

They have litters of five to ten leverets, which are born fully furred and with their eyes open.

Answer: In the trees

With a total population of about two thousand individuals and falling, this Indonesian primate lives in fragmented populations in the hills and mountainous areas of the island of Java. If you attempt to watch this lively animal in the wild, look up. It is rarely, if ever, seen on the ground.

They spend their days dining on leaves, flowers, fruit and seeds, after which they spend hours grooming each other. Habitat destruction has endangered many indigenous species of animals found in Indonesia. The Javan surili has lost over 95% of its native habitat.

Answer: Antelope

This small antelope is found in tiny populations in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the Ivory Coast. Severe habitat loss has fractured the population of this animal and led to inbreeding. They are also sometimes hunted as food. With a population of approx. 2500 individuals, and dropping, this animal is just one of many threatened species of antelope. Jentink's duiker lives in heavy forest where it eats leaves, grass and, occasionally, fruit.