If We Show You an Animal, Can You Guess Its Closest Relative?

By: Monica Lee
Estimated Completion Time
4 min
If We Show You an Animal, Can You Guess Its Closest Relative?
Image: seng chye teo/Moment/Gettty Images

About This Quiz

Don't let appearances fool you, because when it comes to relatives, it's all in the blood ... and bones ... and skeletal functions. All that furry cuteness is there just to confuse you. For instance, an armadillo has armor (plates of dermal bone called scutes) so the last animal you would think is its relative is the sloth, right? A sloth is slow moving and lives in trees! What makes it even weirder is that the relative of the sloth and armadillo is the anteater. But it does make sense scientifically, since the armadillo and its nearest relatives have similar niche roles, like being mostly insectivores and herbivores as well as being of small to medium body size. And they all have similar biological structures, including special articulations (shapes) on the lumbar vertebrae which are found in no other mammals. 

When going through this quiz, if some of the close relatives still don't make any sense just remember, evolution has had a long time to make each species widely different. For instance, the whale and hippo are in the same family tree. Long ago, whales and hippos split off from ruminants (hoofed animals) and it took over 60 million years to evolve to their present form. With that in mind, when you look at some of your relatives, doesn't it all make sense? Check this quiz out and have some relative fun. 


badger
Peter Burnage/Moment/Gettty Images
If you see a badger, you better hope it doesn't invite one of its closest relatives over. What is it?
Alligator
Rattlesnake
Rhinoceros
Skunk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Suborder Caniformia (literally "dog-like") contains animals that typically possess a long snout and non-retractile claws. Both the badger and skunk, as well as many other animals, are in this suborder.

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weasel
All images taken by Keven Law of London, England./Moment/Gettty Images
What is the closest relative to the weasel?
A. Otter
B. Badger
C. Frog
D. A & B
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Suborder Caniformia, as noted, contains many animals, including weasels, badgers, otters and seals.

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porcupine
bucky_za/E+/Getty Images
What is one of the closest relatives to a porcupine?
Hedgehog
Zambian mole-rat
Horse
Dog
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Porcupines belong to Suborder Hystricomorpha which contains the Zambian mole-rat as well as capybaras, degus and other animals.

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dinosaurs
Colin Anderson/Blend Images/Getty Images
Ever wondered what the closest living relatives of dinosaurs are? What's your guess?
Elephant
Vulture
Crocodile
Python
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The closest living relatives of dinosaurs are crocodilians, which includes crocodiles and alligators. We should be glad that dinosaurs don't roam the Earth now!

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horse
Yann Guichaoua-Photos/Moment/Gettty Images
What animal is a relative of the horse?
Rhinoceros
Elephant
Dog
Mouse
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The order known as Perissodactyls' includes horses or equids, tapirs and rhinoceroses. Horses are less scary to tame than a rhino!

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tiger
Steve Clancy Photography/Moment/Gettty Images
What creature is closely related to a tiger?
Dog
Zebra
Bat
Lion
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Tigers are the biggest members of the cat family and are closely related to other big cats, such as snow leopards and lions.

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hippo
Giampaolo Cianella/Moment/Gettty Images
What is the closest relative of a hippo?
Whale
Horse
Pig
Guinea Pig
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

We know it sounds like a whale of a tale, but it's true. Long ago whales and hippos split off from ruminants (hoofed animals). It took more than 60 million years ago to evolve to their present, very distinct form.

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penguin
David Merron Photography/Moment/Gettty Images
What is the closest relative of a penguin?
Seal
Albatross
Seagull
Walrus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although penguins and albatrosses don't look that similar in body shape, they share subtle traits, like the arrangement of beak bones.

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sheep
Photos by R A Kearton/Moment/Gettty Images
What is the closest relative to the sheep?
A) Mountain Goat
B) Bison
C) Hyena
D) A&B
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The American bison, the mountain goat, and the American bighorn sheep are all in the Bovidae family and are the closest relatives to sheep.

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walrus
Richard McManus/Moment/Gettty Images
What animal relative is closest to a walrus?
Seal
Polar Bear
Otter
Vulture
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pinnipeds belong to the order Carnivora and their closest living relatives are bears and musteloids (weasels, raccoons, skunks, and red pandas), having diverged about 50 million years ago.

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panda bear
L F Ramos-Reyes/Moment/Gettty Images
The panda has a close relative. What animal is it?
Speckled Bear
Raccoon
Dog
Pig
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If you answered "raccoon" it's understandable. That was the previous thinking. Current DNA analysis has revealed the giant panda's closest relative is the spectacled bear.

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platypus
Manuel ROMARIS/Moment/Gettty Images
The platypus is one of a kind, but it does have one relative. What animal is it?
Echidna
Kangaroo
Road Runner
Anteater
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The platypus, is a member of the rare Monotreme order which has only one other member, the equally unusual echidna. The echidna is a small mammal, like the platypus, with a long snout that acts as both the mouth and nose.

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kangaroo
Cal Redback Photographe/Moment/Gettty Images
Let this question bounce around in your mind. What is the closest relative to the kangaroo?
A) Wallabies
B) Wallaroos
C) Rats
D) A & B
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Basically smaller versions of kangaroos, wallabies and wallaroos are the closest relatives. These marsupials are unique in that they carry their young in special body pockets called pouches.

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okapis
Todd Ryburn Photography/Moment Open/Gettty Images
What animal is the okapis' closest relative?
Horse
Zebra
Giraffe
Capybara
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The okapi and the giraffe are the only living members of the family Giraffidae. The okapi bear has zebra-type stripes, making it easy to think its closet relative is the zebra.

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capybara
João Allbert/Moment/Gettty Images
How about the capybara? Which of these animal is its closest relative?
Anteater
Prairie Dog
Gopher
Guinea Pig
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Capybaras share the Infraorder Hystricognath rodents with one of its closest relatives, the guinea pig. Capybaras live near bodies of water in savannas and dense forests.

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anteater
James Hobbs/Moment/Gettty Images
What is the closest relative to the anteater?
Bat
Sloth
Rabbit
Gopher
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Anteaters are more closely related to the slow-moving sloths than they are to any other group of mammals. The sloth must be the black sheep in that family!

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mongoose
AJAY K SHAH/Moment/Gettty Images
What is the closest relative to the mongoose?
Deer
Gazelle
Meerkat
Cat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Due to their agility, thick coats, and specialized receptors that makes them immune to snake venom, mongooses are known for killing cobras. That's the kind of relative you want in your family if you're a meerkat!

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armadillo
Elizabeth W. Kearley/Moment/Gettty Images
What animal is the most closely related to the armadillo?
A) Sloths
B) Anteaters
C) Rat
D) A& B
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Here is one of those answers where "looks can be deceiving" as none of these animals look like each other. The closest living relative of armadillos are sloths and anteaters.

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squirrel
Stuart Shore, Wight Wildlfie Photography/Moment/Gettty Images
What is the closest relative to the squirrel?
Chipmunk
Woodchucks
Prairie Dogs
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The squirrel family has lots of relatives, including tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots (including woodchucks), flying squirrels, and prairie dogs, among other rodents.

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elephant shrew
Ger Bosma/Moment Open/Gettty Images
What is the closest relative to the elephant shrew?
Elephant
Mouse
Rat
Guinea Pig
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

It may be hard to believe but the analysis of evolutionary history shows that elephant shrews are not classified with true shrews, but are more closely related to elephants!

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bear
Alan Vernon/Moment/Gettty Images
This one is harder than it looks. What is one of the closet relatives to a bear?
Cobra
Seal
Elephant
Spider
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

That's right. Seals are the closest living relatives of bears. Bears belong to the Carnivoran suborder caniformia, which contains dogs, raccoons, mustelids (weasels, badgers, otters, and the like), skunks, and seals.

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octopus
A. Martin UW Photography/Moment/Gettty Images
Don't get tied up with this one, but what is the closest relative to the octopus?
Anteater
Spider
Vampire Squid
Jelly Fish
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The closest living relative of octopuses are vampire squids.The vampire squid does not suck blood. It gets its name from its dark color and the squid has skin that connects the arms, resembling a cape.

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jelly fish
Cheng/Moment/Gettty Images
You don't want to go near this one with peanut butter or anything else -- it stings! What is the closest relative to the jelly fish?
A) Sea anemones
B) Coral
C) Alligators
D) A& B
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The stinging tentacles are what is similar to sea anemones, coral and jellyfish. They all belong in the Cnidarians Phylum.

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dog
Purple Collar Pet Photography/Moment/Gettty Images
What is the closest relative to your pooch (dog)?
Tabby Cat
Gray Wolf
White-Tailed Deer
European Elk
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

If your dog howls, you know why. The closest living relative of the dog is the gray wolf.

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shark
Taken by Andrew Thirlwell/Moment/Gettty Images
Did you see the movie, "Jaws"? What is the closest relative to a shark?
Skates
Whales
Salmon
Tuna
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Chondrichthyes is a class that contains the cartilaginous fish, including sharks, rays, skates and chimaeras, making all of these relatives of each other.

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cat
Pakin Songmor/Moment/Gettty Images
You may call it your "whittle putty cat," but what is the closest relative to a cat?
Lion
Tiger
Beagle
Near Eastern wildcat
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Near Eastern wildcat and domestic cats fall into the same genetic Clade, a group of species with the same ancestor.

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turtle
Teddi Yaeger Photography/Moment/Gettty Images
The hare would win this race. What animal is the turtle's closest relative?
A) Birds
B) Crocodiles
C) Snakes
D) A & B
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The latest research shows that turtles now belong in the newly named group 'Archelosauria' with their closest relatives being birds, crocodiles, and dinosaurs.

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piggy
Image Source/Image Source/Getty Images
This little piggy went to market ... and what animal is closely related to this little piggy?
Hippo
Buffalo
Cow
Wild Boar
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

An even-toed ungulate with the family Suidae is where you'll find both the pig and its ancestor, the common Eurasian wild boar, along with other species.

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buffalo
TorriPhoto/Moment/Gettty Images
Buffalo Bill wants to know the closest relative to the buffalo. Which animal is it?
Gazelle
Goat
Sheep
All of the above.
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The cattle family that the buffalo belongs to, Bovidae, is a widespread group of mammals which also includes goats, sheep, gazelles, and antelopes.

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salamander
Simon Murrell/Cultura/Getty Images
What animal is the closest relative to a salamander?
A) Frog
B) Toad
C) Turtle
D) A& B
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Under the class Amphibia you'll find the order Urodela which contain salamanders and newts. Under the same class is the order Anura and includes frogs and toads. Both of these orders reside together.

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butterfly
Ger Bosma/Moment/Gettty Images
Which of these creatures is the closest relative to the beautiful butterfly?
Bumble Bee
Wasp
Hornet
Moth
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Through genetic analysis of butterflies and moths, it was discovered that butterflies are more closely related to very small (micro) moths and are the closest relative to butterflies.

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coyote
Jeremy Woodhouse/Digital Vision/Getty Images
Wiley coyote would rather have the roadrunner, but he also wants to know which relative is closest to it. Which one is it?
Koels
Cuckoos
Anis
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The roadrunner resides in the Cuculidae family, which includes approximately 150 different bird species, such as cuckoos, koels, anis, coucals and malkohas.

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coyote1
Don Henderson/Moment/Gettty Images
Turn around is fair play. The roadrunner wants to know the closet relative to the coyote. Which one is it?
Gray wolf
Lion
Tiger
Hippo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The coyote is in the Phylum Chordates. It is a canine native to North America that is smaller than its close relative, the gray wolf.

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llama
Anton Petrus/Moment/Gettty Images
Which animal is closely related to the llama?
Donkey
Alpacas
Horse
Mule
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Both llamas and alpacas are domestic camelids from South America. Alpacas are closely related to llamas, however, they are considerably smaller with finer hair.

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fox
Marcia Straub/Moment/Gettty Images
You're so clever, you'll get this. What animal is the closest relative to a fox?
Hamster
Dog
Cat
Ferret
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Although foxes and dogs are members of the same animal family, canidae, foxes belong to the genus vulpes and are smaller in size, and have flatter skulls, than the majority of their canine cousins.

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scorpion
POJCHEEWIN YAPRASERT PHOTOGRAPHY/Moment/Gettty Images
Don't be stung by this one. What is the closest relative to a scorpion?
Horseshoe Crab
Jelly Fish
Eel
Anaconda
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The scorpions' ancestors were the sea scorpions that once dominated the oceans. But today, the closest relative is a horseshoe crab. Did you know fried scorpion is a traditional dish from Shandong, China?

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piranha
jessica solomatenko/Moment/Gettty Images
Fish aren't usually scary, but this one is. What's a piranha's closest relative?
Tilapia
Cat Fish
Bass
Pacu
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Pacus is the closet relative, but thankfully, piranhas must be the black sheep of that family. Pacus is a South American river fish that eats mostly plants.

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macaw
Andrew JK Tan/Moment/Gettty Images
The talkative macaw is not related to your talkative aunt, but which creature is it closely related to?
Hawks
Eagles
Parrots
Chickens
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Macaws, the brilliantly-colored parrots of Central and South America's rain forests, are closely related to parrots and song birds.

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gila monster
ColbyJoe/E+/Getty Images
Here's a monster for you, a gila monster. Which creature is the closest relative to it?
Frankenstein
Beaded Lizard
Tarantula
Rattlesnake
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Gila monster is a species of venomous lizard native to the southwestern United States and northwestern Mexican state of Sonora. A Gila monster bite is painful to humans, but it rarely causes death.

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chimpanzee
Keren Su/Digital Vision/Getty Images
What is the closest relative to a chimpanzee?
Humans
Lemurs
Orangutans
Dogs
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The chimpanzee is the closest relative of humans. Although you may have thought the gorilla was the closest, it is next in line.

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