"E" is for Egg, and for.....? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Eland

Eland are members of the 'Bovinae' sub-family, which also includes bison, African buffalo, the water buffalo and the yak. The two species of eland (Common Eland and Giant Eland) are part of the 'Strepsicerotini' tribe of spiral-horned antelopes native to Africa.

Between 51 and 71 inches in height with the average male weighing anywhere from 800-2,200 pounds, the giant eland is the world's largest antelope species.

Answer: Echidna

A member of the 'Tachyglossidae' family, the three species of echidna (along with the platypus) are the only extant species of egg-laying mammals.

Living on a diet of ants and termites, they have no teeth, but grind their food between their lower lip and tongue. Timid creatures, they curl into a ball and use their spikes for protection when threatened by foxes, cats, dogs or snakes.

Answer: Eurasier

The Eurasier is a breed of 'Spitz' dog, which have their evolutionary roots in Siberia. This particular breed, variously classified as utility or non-sporting, originated in Germany in 1960.

Calm and even-tempered and found in just about any colour combination, they are known for their pricked ears and curled tail.

Answer: Emu

Australia's largest bird, the emu can grow to more than six feet tall and is the tallest of all birds except the ostrich. They are capable of traveling large distances and can sprint at more than 30 mph. The males take care of the 8-week incubation period and are then responsible for raising the chicks.

A symbol of Australia, the emu and the kangaroo appear together on the national coat of arms.

Answer: Egg-Eating Snake

The egg-eating snake, or rhombic egg-eater, is one of a dozen species of colubrid snakes in the 'Dasypeltis' genus that have adapted to feed exclusively on eggs.

Non-venomous, the egg-eating snake is very similar in appearance to both the saw-scaled viper and the rhombic night adder, both of which are highly venomous. Although it lives mainly on the ground, it is an excellent climber, allowing it to raid birds' nests in high branches and on rocky outcrops.

Answer: Elephant Seal

The large trunk-like proboscis such as the one evident on the pictured adult bull explain the elephant seal's name. He uses it to attract females during breeding season by making loud, honking noises. Their huge size -- an average of 16 feet long and weighing in at 6,600 pounds -- could also be a reason for comparing them with their large land-based namesakes.

Answer: European Bison

Ranging from 7-11 feet in length (not counting a tail than can be more than two feet long), 5'-6'4" tall and weighing from 880 to 2,030 pounds, the European bison is Europe's largest surviving wild land animal.

Hunted almost to extinction in much of Eastern Europe by the 1920s, they have been reintroduced in many regions, successfully since it has few predators other than man.

Answer: Egyptian Mau

A small to medium-sized short-haired cat breed, the Egyptian Mau has long hind legs and a unique flap of skin at the back of its knees, which is what makes it so fast.

Despite their name, they are an American breed related to the Maine Coon and the American Turkish Angora. A fairly rare breed, Maus can be caramel (most common), silver, bronze, smoke, black or blue/pewter, but they all have green eyes.

Answer: Eulachon

The eulachon ('Thaleichthys pacificus') is sometimes also called a hooligan. They are recognizable by a sickle-shaped and adipose fin (similar to trout and salmon) and large canine teeth. They feed primarily on plankton and can grow to almost one foot in length.

Caught using traps and nets, eulachon are an important commodity for the indigenous people of the Pacific coast. Usually eaten smoked or dried, they are also used as a source of oil -- the name candlefish comes not from their shape but because they are traditionally used as candle wicks.

Answer: 645 days

The average gestation period for an African elephant is 645 days (ie about 92 weeks, or 21.5 months). And you wonder why you sometimes see them tearing through the forest, ripping up trees and making a hell of a racket! Wouldn't eight months of morning sickness make you want to scream at someone?

Indian elephants gestate for a slightly shorter period -- 617 days. Of the alternatives, 525 days is the gestation period for a sperm whale, 456 days for a walrus, and 430 for a giraffe.