A Kid's Trip Around the Animal Kingdom (2) Quiz

Answer: Grizzly Bear

Scientists call him the North American brown bear or the silvertip bear, but to you and me he is best-known as a grizzly bear. He's not exactly a Teddy, though: you wouldn't want to meet this fearsome creature at night in a dark wood -- he was formally named 'Ursus horribilis' ("terrifying bear") in 1815.

Answer: Giant Panda

Although part of the 'Ursidae' (bear) family within the order 'Carnivora', the Giant Panda could not be more different from other bears. Another curiosity is that the red panda with whom he shares a name is not a bear at all. His scientific name 'Ailuropoda melanoleuca' is equally mysterious as it literally means "black and white cat-foot" -- well at least they got the colours right!

Answer: Ostrich

That ostriches bury their head in the sand when they sense danger is an urban myth. In fact, they are one of the most aggressive birds on the planet, and they have a powerful kick that can seriously injure or even kill large mammals such as humans or lions. Unlike with horses, though, you are safe if you are behind an ostrich as they can only kick forwards.

The ostrich is also capable of running from a predator at speeds of up to 43mph, making it the fastest of all two-legged animals.

Answer: Bison

Although both members of the subfamily 'Bovinae', the American bison is only a distant relation to true buffalos. Early pioneers mistakenly thought they were a variation of the species found in Africa and Asia, and William F Cody was thus nicknamed "Buffalo Bill". Bison are sometimes bred with domestic cattle, producing a sub-species known either as beefalo or zubron.

Answer: Walrus

The three subspecies of walrus (Atlantic, Pacific and Laptev Sea walrus) are the only surviving members of the 'Odobenidae' family. They are recognizable for their tusks, whiskers and huge size: elephant seals are the only species of pinnipeds (the seal clade) larger than walruses. "I Am the Walrus" (which featured in the Beatles' TV film "Magical Mystery Tour") was the first studio recording completed by the Fab Four following the death of their manager Brian Epstein in 1967.

The song was allegedly written to confuse a Liverpool English schoolteacher who was analysing Beatles' lyrics.

Answer: Warthog

Native to sub-Saharan Africa, the warthog is the lone member of the 'Phacochoerinae' subfamily, part of the 'Suidae' family of pigs, hogs and boars. The tusks on the males grow to between 10 and 25 inches in length (smaller on females) and can be a fearsome weapon even for large predators such as lions or leopards.

Answer: Nile Crocodile

Amongst living reptiles, only the saltwater crocodile grows larger than the Nile crocodile in the photo. Males grow to between 11'6" and 16'5" in length and weigh from 500-1,650 pounds. Individuals exceeding 20 feet in length and 2,400 pounds have been found.

Despite its name, this species is widespread throughout sub-Saharan Africa and can be found in lakes and marshlands as well as rivers. Although relatively social animals (if you are also a Nile crocodile), they are fearsome predators capable of taking down even the largest of mammals.

Answer: Lion

Although only the second-largest living member of the 'Panthera' genus of big cats after the tiger, the lion is still considered the "King of the Jungle". Once the most widespread land animal on the planet after humans, with populations throughout Africa, North and South America, Europe and Asia, they are now found wild only in Africa and India. Male lions are easily recognized, not least because of their impressive mane, but this is not always the case: a subspecies of lion that lives in the Tsavo region in eastern Kenya has virtually no facial hair.

Answer: African Wild Dog

Also known as the painted dog or painted wolf because of the dappled colours on its coat, the African wild dog is the only surviving species in the 'Lycaon' genus. Part of the 'Canidae' family of dog-like mammals, it is distinct from other canine species both by having fewer toes and by its unusual dental structure, which is perfect for its strictly carnivorous diet. Hunting in packs, this highly sociable animal wears down its prey: it is capable of maintaining speeds of up to 40mph for up to an hour.

Answer: Cobra

There are ten snake species called cobra, most of which belong to the 'Naja' genus. Only some of these display the characteristics most associated with cobras of rearing and forming a hood. Another thing with which many people might associate them is spitting, but the spitting cobra (also called a rinkhal or ring-necked cobra) is not even a "true cobra" although it is closely related. Neither, curiously, is the king cobra.