Black Beasts Trivia Quiz

Answer: Fastest snake in the world

The black mamba, whose bite can kill within half an hour, is named for the colour of the inside of its mouth. It is the longest venomous snake in Africa, where it kills numerous people every year even though an antidote to its venom has been developed.

This is partly due to an undersupply of antivenom in many areas, and partly because the bite kills so quickly that many people who are bitten simply cannot receive medical attention fast enough.

Answer: Leopard

Melanism is essentially the opposite of albinism; it's a dominance of dark pigment. If you can get close enough to a panther, you can see faint spots in the fur of the melanistic leopard. (Jaguars can also be all-black.)

Answer: Dangling from tree branches

This snake, Pantherophis obsoletus, is also known as the western rat snake. It's an adept tree climber. The adults are very attractive: black on top and white on the bottom, with a smooth, glossy look to the scales. Black rat snakes are not venomous.

Answer: Canada

Labs come from the east-coast island province of Newfoundland. They are very comfortable around water, and are often listed among the most popular breeds of dogs, since they are friendly and dependable in temper. Labs can range in colour from black through to brown and yellow.

Answer: Tree sap

Black-tufted marmosets will also eat fruit and insects, and - if they run short of their normal food - small animals and eggs. However, snakes are generally more likely to eat the marmosets than the other way around!

Answer: Ants "milk" aphids for food.

Aphids are small, soft-bodied insects that suck the sap out of plant stems. The ants actually herd and protect the aphids, and will bring them inside the ant nest from time to time. In return, they harvest "honeydew" by stroking the aphids with their antennae until they release this sweet, nutritious secretion.

Answer: River blindness

Female black flies like to feed on humans and other warm-blooded animals; the males are generally content to eat nectar. In Africa, the females are responsible for spreading the parasite that causes onchocerciasis, or "river blindness", which can cause itching, skin changes and eye damage.

Answer: Red hourglass

It is important to note that not all black widow spiders have this marking; some have red spots or blotches, or no marks at all. In males, when the hourglass is present, it may be grey or white. The female of this species is about three times deadlier than the male, so if you do see a red hourglass, keep your distance!

Answer: It is the smallest North American bear.

American black bears are more closely related to Asian black bears than to polar bears or brown bears. With the brown bear, it is considered to be at relatively little risk of extinction. Black bears are omnivores; they are especially fond of hazelnuts, acorns and pine nuts.

Answer: Capable of lowering its body temperature

The cheerful and friendly little chickadee, which does indeed wear a black cap, inhabits temperate woodlands across North America. It is often seen at backyard bird feeders feasting on high-calorie snacks like suet and peanuts. On cold nights it can lower its own body temperature to save energy.