A Reptilian Mixture Trivia Quiz

Answer: Snake

The coat of arms shows an eagle with a snake in its beak. The coat of arms also appears on the country's flag, which gave another way of finding the answer.

The image is based on an Aztec legend that the capital city should be built where the people saw a golden eagle devouring a snake. When the Spanish arrived, they placed a new interpretation on it as being good triumphing over evil, in line with Christian beliefs. It remains an important cultural symbol for Mexico.

Answer: Turtle

A turtleneck describes a tight collar around the neck, although not fitting as high as the polo neck, which has to be folded back. If you're American, you are more likely to use the two names as meaning the same but in England they refer to two different types of collar.

Turtlenecks are common on sweaters and t-shirts with the name deriving from the head resembling that of a turtle's head appearing from its shell.

Answer: Iguana

'The Night of the Iguana' has a long history. It was originally a short story, published in 1948, before Williams himself adapted it into a one act play in 1959. He then expanded the play with two different versions appearing later in 1959 and 1960 before coming up with a three act version in 1961. A successful film version, starring Richard Burton, Deborah Kerr and Ava Gardner, was released in 1964.

The plot involves a clergyman, Lawrence Shannon, who has been defrocked for inappropriate behaviour, classed as a nervous breakdown. He has had relationships with young girls. In the play he is now working as a tour guide in Mexico where his current group includes one of the girls he has apparently assaulted. Shannon has chances of redemption with the widow who owns the hotel where the group is staying and a woman in the group but his character is conflicted.

Answer: Anaconda

This was the first film in what later became a series, with the first sequel in 2004. The first movie was directed by the Peruvian Luis Llosa with Jennifer Lopez, Ice Cube, Jon Voigt and Owen Wilson among the cast.

The plot involves a film crew who are hoping to film an Amazonian tribe and come across a snake hunter, played by Jon Voigt, who convinces them he can help. His actual aim is to track down a reputed giant anaconda and he leads the group into danger. Death and general mayhem follow as they battle the reptile. The film was much derided by critics, was nominated for several Razzies, but has become something of a cult classic, inspiring others to create sequels.

Answer: Crocodile

'Crocodile Rock' was written by Elton with his long time partner Bernie Taupin, who provided the lyrics. The song appeared on Elton's sixth album, called 'Don't Shoot Me I'm Only the Piano Player', which was released in 1973.

The song was issued as a single prior to the album, in late 1972, and reached the top of the US Billboard Hot 100. It also topped the charts in other countries but not the UK, where it stalled at number five on the UK Singles Chart.

Answer: Lizard

The Lizard is a peninsula in Cornwall, the westernmost county of England. Land's End is further west, but the tip of the Lizard peninsula, Lizard Point, is the furthest south you can go on the mainland. Parts of the Scilly Islands, lying off the coast of Cornwall, are further south but don't fit as you need to cross water to get to them.

Historically, the first sighting of the sea invasion from Spain, known as the Spanish Armada, in 1588 was at Lizard Point.

Answer: Basilisk

Found in Central and South America, the common basilisk is often called the Jesus Christ lizard or versions of this name because of its ability to run across the surface of water. The lizard has a large crest on its back and is normally brown in colour.

Running on water is used as an escape mechanism. The basilisk has flaps of skin on its feet which give it the buoyancy it needs to prevent sinking. The lizard runs upright, just on its rear legs, and has to maintain enough speed to prevent sinking. Basilisks are good swimmers, so sinking is not a disaster although it does put them at risk of providing dinner for aquatic predators.

Answer: Dragon

Located in the northern celestial hemisphere, Draco is one of the largest of the constellations. Named for the Latin word for dragon, Draco is said to be named for the guardian of the gardens of the Hesperides in mythology. He was killed by Hercules during one of the labours with which Hercules was tasked.

Among the deep space objects found in Draco are the Cat's Eye nebula and the star Rastaban, designated Beta Draconis. It also contains galaxies known as the Spindle and the Tadpole.

Answer: Serpent

This refers to the story of Adam and Eve and the Garden of Eden, found in the book of Genesis in the Old Testament of the Bible. In this narrative, the pair are allowed to live in the earthly paradise of Eden, but are forbidden to eat from one particular tree. Eve is tempted by a serpent to try the fruit, often depicted as an apple but not specified in the Bible, and gives some to Adam.

This leads to their banishment from Eden and the cursing of the serpent.

Answer: Tortoise

One of Aesop's Fables, 'The Tortoise and the Hare' tells the story of a hare who makes fun of the tortoise for being so slow moving. The tortoise challenges the hare to a race, and the hare is so far ahead he stops for a rest. Having fallen asleep, he wakes just in time to see his opponent crossing the winning line.

The tale can be interpreted as demonstrating the risks of over-confidence (the hare) or the benefits of 'slow and steady' (the tortoise). The expression 'more haste, less speed' has a similar meaning.