Snake's Animal Bistro Trivia Quiz

Answer: whistling

The bird in the photograph is known as the Javan whistling thrush (Myophonus glaucinus). It is primarily a dark blue color and can grow between 24-27 cm (9-11 in) in length. As its name suggests, it is native to the island of Java, which is part of the Indonesian archipelago.

In "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater" there is a blue bird species called the Sunda whistling thrush. The video game was first released in 2004. That same year the Sunda whistling thrush was split off into three separate species (brown-winged, Bornean and Javan whistling thrush).

Answer: gavial

This reptilian creature is known as a gavial (Gavialis gangeticus), also called a gharial. Gavials can range between 2.5-6 m (8-20 ft) in length. They are also sometimes referred to as fish-eating crocodiles as their distinctive long snouts help them catch prey.

The gavial is native to the Indian subcontinental region of Asia and is considered to be a critically endangered species. "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater" is set in the fictional region of Tselinoyarsk in the former Soviet Union. The terrain in the game is believed to be close to that of what is now Tajikistan, meaning that the gavials in the game were a bit north from their normal habitat.

Answer: cobalt

The cobalt blue tarantula (Cyriopagopus lividus) is native to southeastern Asia, specifically the nations of Thailand and Myanmar. It has an average width (including the legs) of around 13 cm (5 in).

In "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater", the cobalt blue tarantula's venom is shown as more potent than it actually is. In the game, the tarantula can be used to fatally poison enemies. In reality, unless someone is allergic, the cobalt blue tarantula's venom is not considered to be fatal and they are sometimes kept as pets. It is still wise to use caution around them, as their bite can be quite painful and possibly lead to muscle spasms.

Answer: bigeye

The bigeye trevally (Caranx sexfasciatus) is a species of fish that can be found across the Indian and Pacific Oceans from eastern and southern Africa all the way to Australia and the Americas. It can grow up to around 120 cm (47 in) in length. Alternative names for the fish include the bigeye jack, dusky jack and six-banded trevally.

The bigeye trevally is also a popular video game fish as it has also appeared in the "Endless Ocean" series on Nintendo Wii in addition to "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater".

Answer: Emperor

The emperor scorpion (Pandinus imperator) is the largest scorpion species in the world. It can grow to approximately 20 cm (8 in) in length. Emperor scorpions are native to western Africa and not central Asia as implied in "Metal Gear Solid 3".

Emperor scorpions also have a venomous stinger, however, like the blue cobalt tarantula, its venom is not considered to be deadly unless someone is allergic to it. The emperor scorpion is also believed to be relatively docile and can also be kept as a house pet.

Answer: strawberry finch

The red avadavat (Amandava amandava), is a small bird species that is native to the Indian subcontinental region of Asia. In "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater", it is mentioned that these birds are also native to China, however this only applies to a subspecies of the bird (Amandava amandava flavidiventris). The red avadavat can grow between 7-10 cm (3-4 in) in length.

The male avadavat is bright red, especially during mating season. It also features white spots that make it resemble a strawberry, likely leading to its alternate name of strawberry finch. The female of the species (like most colorful birds) is much duller.

Answer: markhor

The markhor (Capra falconeri), also known as the screw-horned goat, is one of the largest goat species in the world. It is native to central Asia (specifically the highland regions of Pakistan, Afghanistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan) and can grow between 130-190 cm (50-75 in) in length.

The name markhor is derived from old Persian and translates to "snake-eater", which probably led to its inclusion in "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater". It was at one time believed that these goats ate snakes themselves, but the animal has only been observed eating grass and leaves.

Answer: arowana

The fish in the photograph is a silver arowana (Osteoglossum bicirrhosum). It is native to South American freshwater rivers such as the Amazon. The arowana in "Metal Gear Solid 3" was most likely a silver Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus).

Both species are members of the Osteoglossidae family which are believed to have survived, with little evolutionary change, since the Middle Jurassic Era (140 million years ago).

Answer: common vampire bat

Desmodus rotundus is the scientific designation for the common vampire bat. Common vampire bats are native to Central and South America. They can grow up to 9 cm (3.5 in) long and have an average wingspan of 18 cm (7 in). Vampire bats feed on the blood of other mammals. While their bite by itself may not be too dangerous, they could be carrying deadly diseases such as rabies.

Due to it taking place in central Asia, the 'vampire bat' found in "Metal Gear Solid 3: Snake Eater" could instead be the greater false vampire bat (Lyroderma lyra) which does not drink blood in real life.

Answer: South America

The frog in the photograph is known as a strawberry poison dart frog (Oophaga pumilio), also called the blue jeans poison dart frog. It is one of many poison dart frog species found in Central and South America, though this particular species is closest to the one shown in "Metal Gear Solid 3". The game did not specify how these frogs wound up in central Asia.

There are several species of poison dart frog who have toxins on their skin strong enough to kill someone who dares to touch it without protection. They do not shoot darts, rather their name comes from the ability of their toxins to be used on hunting darts by humans.