Melange of 'B' Animals Trivia Quiz

Answer: aquatic

The best known member of this group of fresh-water fish is probably the Siamese fighting fish, native to Cambodia and popular in aquariums. Bettas are unusual among fish in that they have a lung-like organ called a labyrinth which allows them to breathe air. This helps them survive in poorly aerated water like rice paddies.

Answer: aquatic

The barbel is a freshwater carp-like species that likes well-oxygenated water. The classification of European rivers is based on the fish found in the zones. You may find also find rudd, roach, pike, eel and perch in the Barbel Zone.

Answer: aquatic

This is an archaic family of freshwater fish found in the Nile River and tropical African waterways. Popular in aquariums, they have a couple of slit-like spiracles on the top of their head, allowing them to supply a couple of ventral lungs with air in poorly-oxygenated water.

Answer: aquatic

Also known as the Asian sea bass or giant sea perch, the name 'barramundi' is Aboriginal in origin and originally applied to two species of saratoga. It was appropriated for marketing purposes in the 1980s when the fishery was being developed and the fish is now popular in Australian restaurants. Crocodiles like them as well, as fishermen have discovered.

Answer: aerial

A member of the finch family, the brambling's breeding range is widespread across northern Europe and the length of Russia. They also migrate, spending winters in southern Europe, north Africa and parts of India, Pakistan, China and Japan. Food-wise, they eat seeds in winter but insects in summer. Similar to a chaffinch, they will often flock together.

Answer: aerial

Also known as the palm redeye, this species of butterfly is found from India through to Papua New Guinea. As you might expect, the larvae eat banana leaves, causing them to roll up, but have also been found on coconut palms.

Answer: aerial

A nocturnal moth, it has a range extending from Brazil to the southern states of USA. It also migrates into other states and Canada. It is the largest of the 'owlet' moths, with female moths having a wingspan reaching 24 cm (up to 9.5 in). As you might expect from the name, there is some death-related folklore and mythology associated with the moth.

Answer: aerial

This is a dragonfly common to western USA down to Panama. Both males and females have blue eyes as well some blue stripes and dots on a mostly brown body. They grow up to about 70 mm (just under 3 in) in length.

Answer: terrestrial

The bandicoots are a group of marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea. They are omnivores. The name was borrowed from the unrelated bandicoot rat found in India. Bandicoots are adapted to digging and living underground, have characteristic V-shaped faces and can grow up to 79 cm (31 in) in length.

Answer: terrestrial

One of the great apes and sometimes known as the pygmy chimpanzee. Found in the Congo Basin of Africa, they are endangered. They mostly eat fruit, unlike their larger common chimpanzee relative. The formation of the Congo River about 2 million years ago is believed to have sparked the separation of the two species. Swimming is not a chimpanzee strength.

Answer: terrestrial

A large, mostly nocturnal forest-dwelling antelope, it is found in sub-Saharan Africa. Both sexes have spiral horns and narrow vertical stripes on chestnut coats as well as black and white markings. Neither of the two species are doing well. They are herbivores.

Answer: terrestrial

A native to South-east Asian tropical jungles, the white-whiskered binturong (or bearcat) is covered in coarse, shaggy black hair. It has a prehensile tail and is arboreal, although it descends to the ground when moving between trees. It is usually solitary, is quite happy swimming, is omnivorous and smells of popcorn. The smell is attributed to its scent glands, which both sexes have.