Paw Power Trivia Quiz

Answer: Tiger

Tigers have the binomial name of Panthera tigris, and once ranged across Asia from Turkey to Russia's eastern shore. Now, however, they can only be found in small pockets scattered through that once vast region, and number slightly less than 4,000 in the wild (2016 census by the WWF).

Of the ten recognized subspecies of tiger, four have been declared extinct: Trinil, Bali, Caspian and Javan tigers. Six remain: Bengal, Indochinese, Malayan, Siberian, South China and Sumatran tigers.

Answer: Canis lupus familiaris

The dog was the first animal to be domesticated by humans, and the multiple breeds have been developed over millennia to conform to various social and utilitarian human needs. And in some places, dogs also happen to be a source of food. I guess they have something to offer to everyone.

Answer: Polar bear

The polar bear goes by the binomial name of Ursus maritimus and can be found mostly in the Arctic Circle, although it does range a little below 'the line' as well. The bears are spread out in 19 distinct subpopulation groups, with 13 of them being in North America, while the remaining six are in Europe and Asia.

Answer: Shrew

More specifically, Blarina brevicauda is the binomial name of the northern short-tailed shrew, which is the same type whose paw is shown in the photo. Interestingly, not only can this species of shrew echolocate (like a bat), but it is also one of the few mammals that is venomous. Its saliva is toxic and can paralyze and even kill small animals.

Answer: Gorilla

Gorillas make their home in the tropical and subtropical forests of Africa. The eastern gorilla species (binomial name Gorilla beringei) is divided into two subspecies and can be found in Rwanda, Uganda and the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

The western gorilla species (binomial name Gorilla gorilla) is also divided into two subspecies. They live primarily in Gabon, Cameroon and the Republic of the Congo.

Answer: Lemur

There are roughly 100 different species of lemur, and they are considered strepsirrhine primates. That gives us a list of differences from other primates, including having a wet nose, and a smaller brain than other primates of comparable size.

The paw in the picture is that of a ring-tailed lemur, an easily recognizable addition to many zoos around the world.

Answer: Marten

As a member of the Mustelidae family, martens are related to badgers, ferrets, minks, weasels, and wolverines. They are omnivorous, enjoying such treats as mice, squirrels, and rabbits, while also eating fruits and nuts on occasion.

In Central Europe, martens have become such a pest that electronic repellent devices have been created, and their habit of finding warm places to sleep has led to marten damage insurance for vehicles.

Answer: Kangaroo

Macropods are animals (such as kangaroos and wallabies) that have large (macro) hind feet (pods). The toe arrangement of most macropods has very long, narrow hind feet with a distinctive arrangement of toes.

There are four species of kangaroo: the red kangaroo (Macropus rufus), eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus), and the antilopine kangaroo (Macropus antilopinus).

Answer: Sloth

The sloth is divided into six species, two of them of the Megalonychidae (two-toed) family, and four in the Bradypodidae (three-toed) family.

Although associated with the cardinal sin of the same name, sloths can move quickly, should the need arise (fleeing predators, for instance). But their usual lethargy allows for their bodies to become homes to other organisms, such as moths, beetles, cockroaches, fungi, ciliates, and algae.

Answer: Koala

The koala has the binomial name of Phascolarctos cinereus, and is moderately unique amongst its marsupial brothers. Its closest relative is the wombat. Koalas have few natural predators, and are not considered endangered, but their habitats are slowly being threatened by urbanization and agriculture.