Differentiating Australians Trivia Quiz

Answer: echidna

Like the duck-billed platypus, the four species of echidna (family Tachyglossidae) living in Australia and New Guinea belong to the Monotreme order of egg-laying mammals. Because of their appearance and diet, echidnas are often called spiny anteaters, though they are not related to the true anteaters of South America.

As it was seen as a cross between mammal and reptile, the echidna was named after a monster of Greek mythology, a creature half-woman and half-snake. The short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus) is the only species that lives in Australia, where it is found throughout the country, including suburban areas.

A medium-sized,solitary animal that eats mostly ants, termites and other insects, the echidna is covered in brownish fur and spines.

It lays one single egg at a time; the hatchling is called a puggle. Though the species is not endangered, short-beaked echidnas are often killed by motor vehicles; in the past they used to be hunted for food, but now are protected by law.

Answer: Tasmanian devil

The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophllus harrisii) became the largest marsupial carnivore after the extinction of the thylacine (also known as the Tasmanian tiger) in 1936. As its name implies, this animal is only found on the island of Tasmania, the southernmost Australian state.

It is a stocky, muscular animal, the size of a small dog, with black fur (which, together with the creature's eerie call and supposed bad temper, accounts for the "devil" part of its name) and a strong smell. Tasmanian devils were hunted for a long time for their fur, and also because they were believed to be a threat to livestock - which led to their becoming endangered. Though the species became officially protected in 1941, the spread of a disease named DFTD (devil facial tumour disease) has decimated the population, which is at serious risk of becoming extinct in the next couple of decades. Active at night, the Tasmanian devil is an opportunistic eater that preys on wild and domestic mammals, birds, fish and other small animals, but often feeds on carrion.

Answer: death adder

The death adder (Acanthopis sp.) is definitely as lethal as it sounds - though its name probably derives from "deaf" rather than the Grim Reaper. Although a member of the Elapid family (like all other Australian venomous snakes), its thick, squat body and triangular head resemble the typical conformation of Viperids - hence its common name. Like many true adders, the death adder is an expert in camouflage, and lies in wait for its prey; its strike is said to be the fastest of any snake in the world.

Its various species are found all over Australia, as well as New Guinea and some Indonesian islands. The death adder's powerful neurotoxic venom can cause death in under six hours if not promptly treated.

Answer: lyrebird

The family Menuridae, to which lyrebirds belong, is part of the order Passeriformes, a very large order that also includes many common birds. Lyrebirds are ground-dwelling, and get their name from the male's distinctive, lyre-shaped tail feathers; this elaborately-structured tail, which takes about 7 years to grow, is used in courtship displays.

These birds are found in forested areas of mainland Australia and Tasmania (where they were introduced in the 19th century). Of the two extant species, the superb lyrebird (Menura superba) is the largest, and one of the largest birds in the passerine order; the male can reach a length of 100 cm (3.3 ft), and a weight of 1.1 kg (2.4 lb). Lyrebirds also possess a remarkable range of vocalizations and an extraordinary ability for mimicry, as proved by a number of field recordings.

Answer: quoll

The six species of quoll (genus Dasyurus), native to Australia and New Guinea, are related to the Tasmanian devil. They are relatively small animals (25-75 cm/7.9-13.8 in), with hairy tails (as implied by their scientific name, meaning "hairy-tail" in Greek), brown or black fur and pink noses.

The tiger quoll, or spotted-tail quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), the second-largest surviving carnivorous marsupial, can grow to almost 100 cm (3.3 ft), and weigh almost 4 kg (8.8 lb). In Australia, quolls are found in the moister areas of the mainland (near the coasts), as well as Tasmania.

They are nocturnal and mostly solitary, and prey on small mammals, birds, reptiles and insects. Unfortunately, habitat loss due to urbanization has caused their numbers to decline.

The misleading names "tiger cat" or "native cat" were given to this animal by early European settlers.

Answer: perentie

The perentie (Varanus giganteus) is Australia's largest lizard, and the world's fourth-largest. Australian monitor lizards (Varanidae) are called "goannas", a name probably derived from "iguana" (which are not related). Though not all goannas are huge, the perentie - as its scientific name implies- definitely is: it can grow to a length of 2.5 m (8.2 ft), and weigh over 20 kg (44 lb).

A native of the arid zones of mainland Australia, it is a dark-coloured, muscular animal, equipped with fearsome teeth and claws and a long, powerful tail that can easily break bones.

The jury is still out on whether monitor lizards are also venomous, as their bite can cause swelling, blood clotting and shooting pains. Though perenties, unlike their larger relatives, the Komodo dragons, do not intentionally attack humans, and shy away from human contact, they have been known to prey on pets such as cats and dogs, and can do a lot of damage with their strong jaws, claws and tail.

Answer: cassowary

Though cassowaries are more common in New Guinea, one of this flightless bird's three species (Casuarius casuarius, or southern cassowary) is also found in the forests of northeastern Australia. Like the kiwi, to which it is closely related, it is a ratite - that is, a flightless bird lacking a keel on its sternum bone.

The southern cassowary is a tall, heavy bird (only smaller than the ostrich and emu), with black plumage, a blue face and neck, two red wattles hanging from its throat, and a helmeted head.

Its powerful, three-toed feet are equipped with a sharp, blade-like claw on the inner toe that can inflict fatal injuries. Though shy and retiring, cassowaries can become extremely aggressive if provoked, and there are records of serious injuries to humans and dogs.

As the populations of these striking birds are declining throughout its range, it has been classed as Vulnerable by IUCN.

Answer: inland taipan

A member of the Elapid family, like all Australian venomous snakes, the inland taipan, or fierce snake (Oxyuranus microlepidotus) was only recently rediscovered by scientists, after having dropped off the radar for almost a century. As its name implies, it is found in the interior of the Australian continent, in the semi-arid regions on the border between Queensland and South Australia. Drop by drop, the venom of this large, brown-hued snake, which can reach a length of 2.5 m/8.2 ft) is the most toxic of any snake species, and one bite can potentially kill 100 humans. Fortunately, the inland taipan is not as aggressive as its coastal counterpart (Oxyuranus scutellatus), and lives in such remote locations that human fatalities are unknown. However, this snake's lighting-fast strike, combined with its size and virulent venom, suggest the inland taipan should be given a wide berth by everyone but the most experienced handlers.

Answer: sugar glider

The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) belongs to the gliding possum family (Petauridae), a group of small marsupials that are able to glide through the air from tree to tree thanks to a membrane (called patagium) connecting forelegs to hind legs on both sides of the body. Though omnivorous, this squirrel-like creature owes its common name to its preference for sugary foods, such as nectar and sap from plants. Sugar gliders are found in the forests of northern and eastern mainland Australia, Tasmania, New Guinea and neighbouring islands; they are active at night, and their large eyes and swiveling ears help them to move around and locate prey in the dark.

While sugar gliders are only allowed to be kept as pets in three Australian states (Victoria, South Australia and Northern Territory), they are especially popular in the USA, where they are bred in large numbers.

Answer: galah

A member of the family Cacatuidae in the order Psittaciformes (the parrots), the galah (Eulophus roseicapilla) is a native of Australia. Found all over the country (including Tasmania), it is a familiar sight both in the wild and in urban areas. It is a medium-sized bird with distinctive grey and pink plumage, which has earned it the name of rose-breasted cockatoo; the name "galah" comes from "gilaa", a word in the Aboriginal language Yuwaalaray. Galahs tend to favour open spaces, and the clearing of forests by European settlers has been beneficial to the species. "Galah" in Australian slang is used as a synonym of "idiot" or "fool" - probably on account of the bird's loud, funny-sounding call and bold behaviour.