What is This Animal? Trivia Quiz

Answer: Dolphin

The last time this animal was seen in the Yangtze was 2007. In 2002 the last one living in captivity died. This unusual Chinese dolphin is now thought to be functionally extinct. Growing to a maximum length of 2.7 metres, the baiji, nicknamed the Goddess of the Yangtze by the Chinese, declined rapidly in numbers following the advent of hydroelectric schemes on that mighty river. Managing to survive for 25 million years before the advent of the modern age, the baiji has been killed off by the flick of a switch.

Answer: Australia

This rare, and extremely ugly looking little creature, is rarely seen by man because it usually dwells 2000-4000 feet below sea level. Its flesh is a wobbly mass containing very few muscles. It is propelled along the floor of the ocean by the action of the waters, rather than by its own power, and, though it favours small crab and soft corals for its diet, it will eat anything that floats within reach. With a front on remarkable resemblance to Jabba the Hutt from the "Star Wars" series of films, the blobfish is in danger of extinction because of forays into its environment by bottom trawling and deep sea fishermen.

Answer: Wilhelm II

The comical resemblance to this German emperor is a result of the little monkey's large moustache adorning the front of its face. Found in the Amazon river region of South America, this delicate little animal is very tiny. It weighs an average of fourteen ounces, its body is only a maximum of ten inches long, and it has a fourteen inch tail. The small groups of up to eight animals these monkeys travel in are always led by the oldest female in the group.

German emperor Wilhelm II (1859-1941) was a disaster as a leader of that nation. Warlike, impetuous, insulting and tactless, he blundered his way through world politics right up to leading his country in its support for Austria-Hungary during World War I. By 1918, he had lost all power and credibility in Germany, abdicated his throne, and fled to the Netherlands where he lived out the remainder of his life.

Answer: Bird

This is a pretty little pale grey plumaged bird with bright red legs. Dwelling in deep mountain areas, it has evolved to be almost flightless, and builds its nests on the forest floor. A unique feature of its body structure are the small cone-like flaps covering its nostril areas. Local tribes, in the regions in which it can be found, have nicknamed the little creature the ghost of the forest. Sadly so, because of introduced predators to the area in which it lives, this little bird is rapidly approaching extinction status.

It's enough to break your heart.

Answer: Very tiny monkey

This dainty little creature is all of five inches long, with a tail to match, and only weighs an incredible four ounces. It lives in small family groups, with the pregnant female, of which there is usually only one at a time, giving birth to twins twice a year.

The entire group takes turn in caring for the babies. Its nickname is the result of the plump little fold of flesh around its neck. Another unusual feature of the pygmy marmoset is the resemblance between the sounds the baby monkey makes - and those of human babies.

It would perhaps be wise, however, not to remark upon this to a human mother with a new born infant in tow. Here's a comical fact for you: Male pygmy marmosets have less time to go foraging for food than the females do, because the male is the parent that does the greater part of infant care. How cute is that? A little marmoset house husband.

Answer: South-east Asia

Once found scattered throughout Asia and Europe, tarsiers are primates that are found only in south-east Asia today. These small animals, which belong to the same family as lemurs, have large eyes. Each one is the same size as its brain. It has long hind limbs, and five long thin fingers on each hand - which look a little bit creepy to tell the truth.

The physiology of their brain differs from other primates in several respects. This leads scientists to believe they evolved in an independent line to the majority of the other primates. Charles Darwin would be ever so delighted.

Answer: One

How sad is that? These lumbering old gentle giants, found in the Galapagos Islands group, had almost been hunted to extinction by the end of the 19th century. Wild goats, which were introduced to the islands, did the remainder of the damage by eating much of the tortoises natural feeding sources. One single male was found on the island in 1971. Scientists tried vainly to mate the old fellow, nicknamed Lonesome George, with tortoises from other species, but to no avail. George died on 24 June, 2012 - and the Pinta Island tortoise is no more.

Answer: Crab

Yeti crabs and lobsters are deep sea creatures that can be found in the Pacific ocean. Up close their pincers have a feathered appearance which is strikingly beautiful. Both male and female can be found living near hydrothermal vents, but the male of the species prefers to dwell in closer where it is much warmer, while the females and younger crabs seem to prefer the cooler extremities. Because the hydrothermal vents emit poisonous minerals in their waters, the yeti's pincers contain a bacteria which helps detoxify these.

Answer: Yes

This small frog, which can be found in Central and South America is so called because its abdominal skin is transparent. Its internal organs and the workings of its heart and liver can be clearly, and somewhat creepily, seen. This is particularly so because it is known to eat its own young at times. Talk about recycling.

Answer: Australia

The spotted quoll is Australia's largest marsupial that is also, unusually so, a carnivore. It is top of its food chain in Australia as it has no natural predators of its own. Alas, however, it has man, and that resulting interaction has seen the spotted quoll now placed on the Red List of Endangered Species.

This pretty little creature with the sharp teeth looks like a cross between a possum and a cat. With the distinct spots added to its coat, it commonly goes by the name of the tiger cat. Its means of locomotion is rather comical as it is a combination of a walk and a bound as though it can't make up its mind. Ungratefully so, once the female spotted quoll has been impregnated by the male, she usually turns on him aggressively and can give him quite a thumping. You go, girl.