A Simply Hard Animals Quiz

Answer: Siberian

Also known as Amur tiger, the Siberian tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the world's largest feline by both length and weight. This magnificent animal, classified as Endangered by IUCN (2014), is currently found in the Russian Far East and Northeast China. Compared to other tiger subspecies, which live in warmer climates, Siberian tigers have longer and thicker fur, and smaller ears.

While Sumatran tigers do exist, they are smaller than their massive Siberian kin. There is no such thing as a Somalian or Sicilian tiger.

Answer: hornbill

Found in subtropical Asia, Africa and Melanesia, hornbills belong to the family Bucerotidae. They are characterized by a long, down-curved bill, often vividly coloured, sometimes accompanied by a casque on the upper mandible. The largest members of the family, the southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeteri) and the great hornbill (Buceros bicornis) live respectively in southern Africa and Southeast Asia. Hornbills are omnivorous, and generally live in pairs or small family groups.

A hedgehog is a small mammal, the hoverfly is an insect, and humpback refers to a large species of whale.

Answer: stoat

The stoat, or short-tailed weasel (Mustela erminea) belongs to the family Mustelidae. It is found in the temperate regions of Eurasia and North America; in the 19th century it was introduced in New Zealand to control the rabbit population, where it became an invasive species. In winter, the stoat's brown and white fur turns completely white, though the tail retains its distinctive black tip. The name ermine is used for the stoat and other species of the Mustela genus when wearing their pure white winter coat, which was highly prized by royalty and other high-status people in the late Middle Ages and Renaissance.

The sloth and the shrew are both mammals, while the skink is a lizard.

Answer: hermit

The name "hermit crab" refers to over 1,000 species of decapod crustaceans belonging to the superfamily Paguroidea. They are characterized by a soft abdomen, curved in a spiral shape, which is very vulnerable to predators - hence these crabs' habit of carrying the empty shells of sea snails and other mollusks for protection. If threatened, the crab's whole body can retract inside the shell.

As the crab grows in size, it will abandon the shell and seek a larger one - often getting into fights with other crabs when empty shells are scarce.

Some species of land hermit crabs can be kept as pets.

Answer: swan

Among the most iconic of birds, swans belong to the genus Cygnus of the family Anatidae. The six living swan species are found in Eurasia, the Americas, Australia and New Zealand. The mute and whooper swans (Cygnus olor and Cygnus cygnus) are Eurasian species, while the trumpeter swan (Cygnus buccinator) is North American, and the black swan (Cygnus atratus) is Australian.

The skua is a predatory seabird, while the slug is a mollusk, and the seal a marine mammal.

Answer: hyrax

Also known as dassie, the rock hyrax (Procavia capensis) looks very much like a rodent (hence its other common name of "rock rabbit"). However, looks are deceptive, because this small, rotund mammal is a relative of much larger creatures such elephants and manatees. Found in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, hyraxes are herbivorous, with multichambered stomachs similar to those of ruminants, and incisors that grow into small tusks.

The hutia (a rodent) and the hyena are both mammals, though quite different from each other, while the heron is a large wading bird.

Answer: stonefish

The sting inflicted by a stonefish (Synanceia verrucosa) has been called "the worst pain known to man". Indeed, this ugly fish found along the coasts of the Indo-Pacific region is the most venomous fish known, and its venom is potentially lethal. The name "stonefish" comes from their appearance, with grey, mottled skin that makes camouflage very easy - and equally easy for swimmers to step on their needle-like dorsal fin spines. Fortunately, an antivenom has been developed, as stonefish stings are far from uncommon in Australia.

The springbok (an antelope) and the solenodon are both mammals, while the sandpiper is a bird.

Answer: harpy

The harpy eagle (Harpia harpyja) is the largest bird of prey found in Central and South American rainforests. Named after the Harpies (creatures with the face of a woman and the body of a bird) of Greek mythology, it has a distinctive double crest of feathers on its head, and the largest talons of any living eagle species. Harpy eagles feed on birds, reptiles, monkeys and other mammals.

Unfortunately, the species has almost completely vanished from Central America, and habitat loss is threatening it also in South America.

Answer: sturgeon

Sturgeon is the common name used for 27 species of bony fish belonging to the family Acipenseridae. These large fish are found in the Northern Hemisphere, where they inhabit seas, lakes and rivers. Because their physical characteristics have remained unchanged since the earliest fossil record, they are often referred to as "primitive" fishes. The beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) of Eastern Europe is considered the world's largest freshwater fish: the longest recorded specimen was 7.2 m (23.7 ft) long. Sturgeon are prized for their roe (caviar) and also their flesh.

The stingray is also a fish, but a cartilaginous one. The squirrel is a mammal, and the starling a bird.

Answer: hellbender

In spite of its rather scary name and weird appearance, the hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleghaniensis) is a harmless creature - a giant salamander found in the rivers and creeks of the Eastern US. It can grow to a length of 24 to 40 cm (9.4 to 15.7 in), and weigh 1.5 to 2.5 kg (3.3 to 5.5 lb). In their native range, they have been given a number of rather amusing names, such as "lasagna lizard" (probably referring to its flat body) and "snot otter".

The hartebeest is a mammal (antelope), the honeyeater a bird, and the hammerhead a shark.