Beauty and the Bestiary Trivia Quiz

Answer: dog

The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is native to Eastern Asia, and has also been introduced to Eastern Europe. It is a fox-like canid species that, unlike most of its fellow canidae, actually climbs trees, and they are the only known canid species that hibernates. While they have a somewhat similar appearance to that of a raccoon, they are not related.

Answer: deer

Mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) are indigenous to North America, largely west of the Missouri river and in the Rocky Mountains. As a species they have also been introduced to Argentina and Hawaii. Mule deer are so named because their large ears are reminiscent of, you guessed it, mules.

In overall appearance, they are similar to white-tailed deer, but for the ears, a black-tipped tail, and a different-looking set of antlers (bifurcated, rather than branching from a single main beam).

Answer: bear

The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), also known as the labiated bear, is native to the Indian subcontinent. Due largely to its long, sickle-like, claws, Shaw and Nodder (in 1791) thought it related to the South American sloth, but by 1793 it was properly classified as a bear by Meyer.

Sloth bears are nocturnal and enjoy termites, bee colonies, and fruit. They are also called labiated bears due to their specially adapted lower lip and palate that is ideal for sucking up insects.

Answer: frog

Leopard frogs are actually a genus (called Lithobates) of about fourteen species of frog that are also known as meadow frogs. They are all very similar in appearance, specifically as regards the large spots all over their bodies, hence the use of the name 'leopard'. They can be found in Europe and in North America.

Answer: monkey

Spider monkeys are classified as a number of species within the genus Ateles. They are all New World monkeys with a range that extends from the south of Mexico down to Brazil. Because of their disproportionately long limbs and prehensile tail, they have garnered the 'spider' nickname. Tests have shown them to be the most intelligent of the New World monkeys.

Answer: snake

Rat snakes comprise of various genera that fall within the subfamily Colubrinae. These constrictors are medium to large snakes that can reach up to three meters in length, and they are found throughout the Northern Hemisphere.

Answer: spider

Wolf spiders have over 2,300 species within the family Lycosidae and can be found all over the world. They will hunt or stalk their prey, or lie in wait to pounce. They have excellent eyesight, and their eyes are among their distinguishing features, with their uppermost pair being larger than the rest.

Answer: beetle

Rhinoceros beetles comprise over 300 species within the subfamily Dynastinae and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. The males have large horn-like projections on their heads, giving them their name. They can grow to be up to six inches long, making them one of the largest type of beetle.

They are sometimes also called Hercules beetles, as they are able to carry objects 850 times their weight!

Answer: goose

The barnacle goose (Branta leucopsis) earned its name from the early belief that barnacles and that particular goose were essentially the same creature, with the geese being hatched from barnacles on driftwood. In reality, barnacle geese are medium-sized geese with white faces and bellies, black heads, necks, and upper breasts and silver-grey wings.

They can mostly be found on islands in the North Atlantic.

Answer: fly

The deer fly (genus Chrysops) is a type of horse-fly that is also a pest to livestock and to humans. They are very similar to house flies in appearance, but can be distinguished by their patterned gold or green eyes. They can be found around the globe in damp environments, such as wetlands, bogs, or forests.