Mammals Starting with "T" Trivia Quiz

Answer: Asia

In the early 20th century, there were about 100,000 tigers roaming various regions of Asia. By the turn of the 21st century, there were less than 5,000 in the wild. These solitary cats display nocturnal behavior and can feed on almost any animal in their environment, should they choose to do so. One of the best swimmers in the feline world, tigers are known to hunt for prey while in the water.

Answer: Horse

Many people would think the quiet tapir looks like a pig with a trunk. Actually, the South American tapir is more closely related to the horse and rhino. These ancient animals use their elongated noses and upper lips to grasp branches and remove the leaves and fruit that are attached.

The tapir loves the water and is an excellent swimmer. They are known to dive to river bottoms in order to feast on the aquatic plant life the grows at the bottom.

Answer: Insects

The tiny primates known as the tarsiers are found on the jungle islands of Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines. Our knowledge about this elusive animal is limited by their arboreal and nocturnal behaviors. They have excellent vision which is adapted for their night time habits. Specially adapted vertebrae let the tarsier turn their heads 180 degrees in both directions.

The tarsier is a unique animal, as it is the only completely carnivorous primate on the planet. It has a diet that consists of insects, lizards, frogs, snakes, and small birds.

Answer: Madagascar

The tenrec can be found off the east coast of Africa on the island of Madagascar, with a small population making their home slightly south in the Comoro Islands. Although the tenrec looks a lot like a hedgehog, they are thought to be unrelated. When they feel threatened, they will roll into a ball, and are known to rub their spines together to make a rasping sound. Once they are angry, they will charge and can cause damage with their claws and teeth.

They are known for their powerful bite.

Answer: They are extinct.

The extinct Tasmanian tiger was known as the largest carnivorous marsupial. Also known as the thylacine, this unusual mammal was considered an apex predator. At one time, they roamed mainland Australia and New Guinea. By the time European settlers arrived, the Tasmanian tiger was only found on the Australian island of Tasmania.

The main reason for the extinction of the Tasmanian tiger was excessive and deliberate hunting, followed by disease, habitat loss, and they emergence of imported wild dogs.

Answer: False

The topi is a sub-Sharan antelope known for their adaptability to many different African environments. They are a glossy auburn brown, with many displaying red and/or purple highlights. Their social and dietary habits vary with their environment. Migratory herds in the thousands have been observed, although their numbers usually range in the hundreds today.

Answer: Stomp its feet

A Thomson's gazelle uses its excellent hearing and vision to sense danger. When they sense that they might be at risk, they start stomping their feet. This behavior signals to the rest of the herd that danger may be imminent and to prepare to disperse quickly.

The Thomson's gazelle is one of the most common gazelles on the African continent and they are known for their speed and agility. They do not need to drink as they receive necessary moisture from the plant life that makes up their diet.

Answer: Andes Mountains

The taruca is a medium sized deer that is sometimes called a north Andean deer.
They are found in the high elevations of Peru, Chili, Bolivia, and occasional in Argentina. They prefer to stay in rocky grasslands with an available source of water. They live in small herds that are generally led by an alpha female. Individuals can be recognized by their unique, black, facial markings, usually in the shape of a "V".

Answer: Bhutan

Long thought to be related to the musk ox, the takin is actually a closer relation to sheep. These large mammals make their homes in the timberline areas of Bhutan, China, and India. Contrary to their appearance, the shaggy, heavily built takin moves quickly and easily over difficult slopes. Both sexes display a distinctive convex nose and heavy horns that grow outward from the center of their head, before turning up at the ends.

Answer: True

The tahr is a goat-like mammal found in segmented areas of southern Asia. They are known for their shaggy coats and curved horns. Tahrs are not migratory and tend to stay in their home region for life. They graze in the mornings and evenings when it is cooler, but are not considered nocturnal.