Wild Animals of the World Trivia Quiz

Answer: pine marten

In the United Kingdom, the pine marten is credited with keeping the population of invasive grey squirrels in check, whilst the native red squirrel population appears to have been unaffected. This is thought to be because the grey squirrel spends more time on the forest floor where the sprightly martens like to hunt.

Answer: slow loris

The slow loris secretes a toxin from a gland under its arm, which when mixed with saliva, gives it a poisonous bite, with which it can deter predators such as snakes, hawk-eagles and orangutans. Their greatest threat however comes from man, as demand from the exotic pets trade and traditional medicine have rendered this beautiful creature endangered.

Answer: gaboon viper

It also has the highest venom yield of any snake. Since its range is mostly confined to rainforest and it is a fairly docile animal, bites are fortunately quite rare. It is well camouflaged among leaf litter however and may bite if stepped on. Although its venom is not considered particularly toxic, it may still prove fatal due to the quantities administered in a typical bite.

Answer: kakapo

The kakapo is the world's heaviest parrot, and also the world's only flightless parrot. It is a nocturnal bird and a good climber, and is able to use its wings to parachute back down to the ground. Critically endangered, not many more than a hundred are thought to be left in existence.

As part of the present conservation program, chicks are being hand-reared to help ensure their survival.

Answer: muntjac

Muntjac were accidentally introduced in England in 1925 when they escaped from a safari park. Their population has expanded rapidly and they are now present in several southern counties and can even be found in Wales. British wild deer lack tusks, so this can be a useful aid to identification (although there is also a much smaller population of tusk-bearing Chinese water deer in Britain).

Answer: spinner dolphin

This is a small and slender species of dolphin well known for their 'aquabatic' prowess. They are mostly found in open areas of tropical seas and can sometimes be seen riding the bow waves of ships and boats. Their pods can be very large, ranging from 100 to over 1000 individuals, and they may migrate long distances.

Answer: black swallowtail

Also known as the American or parsnip swallowtail, this species has actually benefited from human expansion into its range. This is because European settlers brought with them non-native carrot species which the butterfly can use as host plants. Initially rare and largely confined to clearings in forests, their populations expanded as people cleared trees to make room for farmland.

Answer: ocelot

Ocelots are slender and agile and are about twice as long as a domestic cat. They are exceptional climbers and rest in trees by day, hunting on the ground by night. Their eyesight and hearing are excellent and they can give high speed chase to their prey even in the dark. They will take rabbits, fawns, reptiles and other small animals; birds and even peccaries.

Answer: okapi

The okapi has a fairly long neck in proportion to its body; but in most respects it resembles an antelope or deer. Its zebra-like hind quarters and forelegs are its most striking feature. Its large ears at the back of its head allow it to easily detect approaching predators. It has a very long black tongue with which it can seize branches and the leaves that it feeds upon.

Answer: Humboldt squid

Also called jumbo squid, these notoriously aggressive cephalopods can reach six feet in length and weigh up to 100 pounds. They possess barbed suckers on their tentacles and sharp beaks to dismember their prey, which include shrimp, molluscs, fish and even other squid. They may also attack divers when they feel threatened and will spray ink at fishermen who catch them in their nets.