Not Just Lions, Tigers and Bears Quiz

Answer: spectacled bear

Also known as Andean bear, the spectacled bear (Tremarctos ornatus) is the last remaining member of the subfamily of short-faced bears (Tremarctinae). This species - now mostly found in mountain areas of northern and western South America - gets its common name from the light-coloured markings across its face and upper chest, which often (but not always) resemble spectacles.

The spectacled bear is the largest land carnivoran in South America, though - like most other bears - most of its diet comes from plants.

However, they do occasionally prey on other animals, including horses and cattle. Spectacled bears are arboreal, and have a preference for humid mountain forests. Males tend to be considerably larger than females, and can reach a weight of 200 kg (440 lb).

In 2008, the spectacled bear was classified as Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species - poaching and habitat loss being the most direct threat to the survival of the species. Paddington Bear, the beloved children's character "from darkest Peru" created by Michael Bond, is based on the spectacled bear.

Answer: African civet

The African civet (Civettictis civetta) is a native of sub-Saharan Africa, where it is found in wooded areas; its common name comes from the Arabic "zabad". A member of the Viverridae family, it is a nocturnal animal with a long, muscular body and long, bushy tail, very distinctive black-and-white markings all over its coarse, wiry fur, and a black band across its eyes like that of a raccoon. Though it hunts rodents, amphibians and reptiles (including some venomous snakes), the African civet is omnivorous.

Unfortunately, this animal was hunted for centuries because of the secretions of its perineal glands - known as civet musk, and used as a fixative for perfumes. Now that a synthetic version of this substance is available, civets are mostly hunted as bushmeat (meat from non-domesticated animals); the species is listed by IUCN as Least Concern (2015).

Answer: clouded leopard

The clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) and its subspecies, the Bornean clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) are the only members of the genus Neofelis, considered an evolutionary link between the big cats of the genus Panthera and the small cats (subfamily Felinae).

Its common name comes from the large, irregular dark blotches - reminiscent of cloud patterns - that characterize its coat. Compared to the cats of the genus Panthera, and also to the puma, the clouded leopard is not particularly large, though their tail can reach a length of 90 cm (36 in). Like all cats, it is an obligate carnivore; it hunts at night, and is an excellent climber. Extinct in parts of its original range, the clouded leopard is listed by IUCN as Vulnerable (2016), and its numbers are decreasing; among the causes for this decline, the IUCN lists war and political unrest as well as the usual issues related to hunting and habitat loss.

Answer: giant otter

One of South America's most endangered species, the giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) can reach a length of up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft). Long hunted because of its beautiful, velvety pelt, this fascinating animal has seen its numbers greatly reduced over the years, and is now limited to those areas of the huge Amazon basin where human activity is not significant. Like all otters, the giant otter eats mostly fish and other animals found in or near water, such as turtles, crustaceans and snakes. Giant otters are very social animals that live in family groups, and use a wide range of vocalizations to communicate with other members of the same group or outsiders. Being an apex predator in its habitat, the giant otter has no other natural predators except humans, whose activities have led to what is currently the biggest threat for this species - habitat loss.

The giant otter has been listed by IUCN as Endangered since 2000.

Answer: fossa

The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is the largest mammalian carnivore on Madagascar, the island in the Indian Ocean well known for its unique fauna. Though sharing many of the physical features of cats (such as its semi-retractable claws, large eye sockets and specialized dentition), the fossa also has traits that point to a close relationship with the Viverridae family.

The Eupleridae family to which the fossa belongs - also known as the Malagasy mongooses - is considered closely related to that of the true mongooses (Herpestidae). Often compared to a miniature cougar, the fossa is found in forests all over Madagascar; it is active both during the day and at night, and hunts small- to medium-sized animals - including all of the lemur species endemic to Madagascar.

This creature - whose species name, "ferox", means "fierce" - is hated and feared by the island's native population, though it is also hunted for its meat. The fossa is listed as Vulnerable by IUCN (2008) - not only because of the inevitable habitat loss, but also because of its vulnerability to some pathogens transmitted by invasive species.

Answer: meerkat

The meerkat (Suricata suricata) is the only member of its genus, which is part of the Herpestidae family. Its name comes from Afrikaans and means "lake cat", though obviously the meerkat is not a felid, nor does it live near water. In fact, these creatures dwell mostly in desert environments, such as the Kalahari and Namib deserts of southern Africa. Though insects form most of their diet, they also eat other invertebrates (such as spiders and scorpions, to whose venom they are immune), small mammals, reptiles and eggs. Meerkats are highly social animals, and form large colonies that live in large underground networks with multiple entrances; sentries are posted outside these entrances in order to warn the other members of the colony of the approach of a predator.

The meerkat is listed by IUCN as Least Concern (2015). The "movie star" bit in the question refers to the character of Timon in the Disney animated film "The Lion King".

Answer: maned wolf

The maned wolf (Chrysocyon brachyurus) is a very-distinctive looking creature that is named after an animal, looks like another, but does not belong to either the wolf (Canis) or the fox (Vulpes) genus. "Chrysocyon" means "golden dog" in Greek, referring to the golden-orange colour of its coat.

As its common name implies, this canid has a black mane, as well as large ears and long, black legs, which give it the look of a fox on stilts; the length of the legs is very probably an adaptation to its habitat, the grasslands of central-western South America. Unlike other canids, the maned wolf tends to be solitary, and is most active in the hours between sunset and midnight. Though it preys on small mammals, birds, and occasionally fish, it also eats fruit and other vegetable matter.

The maned wolf, although not hunted anymore for its body parts, and protected by law in Brazil, is still threatened by habitat loss, and has been listed by IUCN as Near Threatened since 2004.

Answer: caracal

Because of its distinctive, tufted ears, the caracal (Caracal caracal) is often thought to be a kind of lynx, though it belongs to its own genus. Its name comes from Turkic, and means "black ear" - a reference to this cat's distinguishing feature. The caracal is a native of Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and India, and is found in a variety of habitats - with a preference for dry areas, which probably explains the uniform tan or sandy colour of its fur. Caracals are long-legged and robust, and are capable of running quite fast, which helps them in their hunting; they are also excellent jumpers, and have been known to catch birds on the wing. Because of these characteristics, they were used for hunting in Ancient Egypt and India. Though they are often hunted for attacking livestock, and suffering from habitat loss due to human expansion, caracals are not in imminent danger, and the species is listed by IUCN as Least Concern (2014).

Answer: southern elephant seal

Of the two extant species of elephant sea, the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina) is by far the largest - as well as being the largest non-cetacean marine mammal. Named after the the proboscis characteristic of adult males (which they use to produce loud roars), this huge creature is mostly found in subantarctic locations.

The largest population, however, is found on the island of South Georgia, a British Overseas Territory located between South America and Antarctica. An adult male southern elephant seal can weigh up to 4,000 kg (8,800 lb), making these creatures the world's heaviest carnivorans (hairy carnivores); females are considerably smaller.

In spite of their bulk, these seals are excellent swimmers and divers, and built to withstand the extreme cold of the waters they inhabit; they are also able to store extra oxygen in their blood and muscles, so that they can stay underwater for longer than normal. During the 19th century and the early 20th century, southern elephant seals were hunted relentlessly as a source of oil, which led to a sharp decline in their populations. Now their numbers have rebounded, also owing to the fact that most of their breeding grounds are protected, so that the seals are currently listed by IUCN as Least Concern (2014).

Answer: striped hyena

The smallest of the true hyenas, the striped hyena (Hyaena hyaena) is considerably smaller than the spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta). Though it lacks some of the latter species' most distinctive features (such as its unique genitals), it shares its sinister reputation, which has led to deliberate persecution of the species and consequent decline in its numbers. Found in Northern and Eastern Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, the striped hyena is a medium-sized animal with a brownish-gray coat (which becomes thicker and softer in winter); some subspecies have a pronounced dorsal crest, and the coat's base colour varies according to the animal's habitat. Like all hyenas, the striped hyena is primarily a scavenger, and its extraordinarily powerful jaw muscles are suited to crunching bones; it does, however, also hunt live prey. Though undeniably not the most comely of animals (they also emit a strong smell, produced by their anal glands), striped hyenas are not aggressive, and can be tamed. Unlike spotted hyenas, which can be very dangerous, they rarely attack humans, though they will occasionally take livestock.

The striped hyena is listed by IUCN as Near Threatened (2014); poisoning due to superstition is mentioned as one of the chief causes of their current status, together with the decrease of natural sources of carrion.