Cute but Dangerous Trivia Quiz

Answer: koala

The Australian koala looks like an adorable stuffed animal, and seems slow-moving and easy-going. It's happy if people just leave it alone. But if it feels too threatened, it will gladly fight back, and has the weapons to do so.

Answer: hippopotamus

Hippos are treated as big bumbling creatures that only a mother could love in children's literature, but they're deadly, with those wide, powerful jaws, and they seem not to care what they kill.

Answer: beaver

Beavers seem harmless, but that's because they're generally left alone. A man in Belarus died when he tried to photograph a beaver and its bite severed an artery in his leg. Other attacks with injuries have been reported.

Answer: slow loris

The slow loris of southeast Asia has the sweetest, saddest face, but when it raises its arms, it's not saying "hug me" or "tickle me." It's showing off the patches on its elbows that exude venom. When it feels threatened, it licks or grooms these areas to prepare its teeth for a nasty bite.

There's some disagreement among biologists about how the substance actually acts: a venom, a poison, something you must be allergic to?

Answer: blue ringed octopus

The blue ringed octopus, found in the ocean around Australia, will sit on the palm of your hand and show off its pajama-like decorated skin. Beach goers attracted by the cuteness may not even realize they've been bitten, till paralysis starts to set in. If a person survives 24 hours, they're likely to recover, but probably won't ever make that mistake again.

Answer: giant anteater

The giant anteater, with its long, funny nose, looks made for children's cartoons, not fighting. In general, it's peaceful, but if it feels cornered, never mind the tiny mouth. Look out for those huge hooked claws on the front feet, up to 4" long. Anteaters can fight off jaguars and pumas, and if they feel it necessary, will fight off you.

Answer: leopard seal

Two scientists have been attacked by leopard seals since 1985, and there aren't many people in or near the Antarctic waters to be attacked. Gareth Wood was on shore when a seal tried to drag him into the water. Kirsty Brown was snorkeling in the water, when a seal drowned her. Leopard seals normally feed on penguins, but there's some evidence they may play with them like cats play with mice, and treat some humans the same way if humans become too numerous in their area.

Answer: pufferfish

There are many species of pufferfish and most are poisonous. They have a cute little happy smile, until they puff up into a spiny ball, and even then, some manage to still look cute. They vary in color and shape, but most aren't very big and live in the tropics. Some are served as a delicacy by very well-trained chefs.

Answer: pony

Everybody wants one, growing up. At least I sure did. One major problem is that a cute little pony is difficult for experienced adult riders to train, so it may be taught by a youthful rider on its back. Ponies' hooves will kick, their teeth will bite, and they will buck just like adult horses if they're startled or poorly trained. An inexperienced rider on an inexperienced pony is a recipe for disaster.

Answer: platypus

The platypus, from the east coast of Australia, produces naked little pink babies that soon grow into adorable duck-billed pups. When they grow up, they develop a spur on the hind foot, and in the male, it contains venom, which can cause intense pain if inserted into humans from kicking or scratching.