Can You Match the National Animal to the European Country?

By: Zoe Samuel
Estimated Completion Time
3 min
Can You Match the National Animal to the European Country?
Image: Ngaire Lawson / Moment Open / Getty Images

About This Quiz

There are 27 countries in the European Union, but 50 on the continent of Europe. They are all culturally different, asserting their nationalities in a variety of different ways. Some have had to cobble together that identity after centuries of fluctuating borders and regularly being invaded by their neighbors. Others have had a discrete setup for a lot longer, meaning that they have symbols that are recognized by most of their inhabitants going back centuries.

Probably the most famous way that countries assert a national identity is through a flag, but it's not the only option. Countries also pick food, coats of arms, and all manner of imagery to represent them - including a national animal. Not all of them have a national animal, but the vast majority of European nations do. Some of them share the same animal or something very similar, while others have chosen something highly unique or even mythological. Some choose predators and aggressors, while others prefer to highlight animals that are useful, beautiful, friendly, or cute. Oddly enough, quite a few of them have picked an animal that is not native to their own country, perhaps because it was part of their royal coat of arms. 

Do you know which animal belongs to which country? Let's find out!

European bison scraping ground
LubosHouska
Which Eastern European country is represented by this fine quadruped?
Hungary
United Kingdom
Belarus
Poland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This shaggy European bison is the national animal of Belarus. An Eastern European country that was in the USSR, Belarus has been independent since 1990.

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White wagtail
Wiki Commons by Artur Mikołajewski
Which Baltic country is represented by this adorable bird?
Lithuania
Estonia
Latvia
Denmark
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The White Wagtail is the symbol of Latvia. It is a passerine bird, meaning that it has feet adapted for perching. It's also a migrating bird, spending winters in warmer climes.

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Grumpy English bulldog
rangercutie93
Which northern European nation is represented by this stout hound?
Ireland
Iceland
Norway
United Kingdom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The bulldog is the symbol of Britain. This is because, like the British, it's admittedly lazy, it loves a nice biscuit, and if you mess with it, you will be shocked how strong its bite turns out to be for its size.

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White stork in nest
Raimund Linke / Photodisc / Getty Images
Which Baltic state looks up to this leggy bird?
Estonia
Latvia
Sweden
Lithuania
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The white stork is an elegant bird with red legs. Happily, its population is actually going up in the wild at the moment, and it is rated not at all endangered.

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Lion
Shutterstock
Which neighbor of Greece admires this fine feline?
Serbia
Macedonia
Italy
Cyprus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The lion is not native to most of Europe, but a lot of European nations do love it! Macedonia is that rare thing, a European nation that actually does have native lions, which is why it can claim it for a national animal without it being a little odd.

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Lynx by water
skeeze
This feline is the symbol of which eastern European country?
Romania
Poland
Spain
Greece
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The lynx is very endangered because of its amazing fur, which makes a wonderful coat. If you are lucky enough to inherit a really old one (that doesn't involve killing a new lynx), good for you, but whatever you do, don't buy a new one!

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Black bulls
jackmac34
They run these beautiful animals through the streets of Pamplona, a city in which European country?
Spain
Greece
Italy
Norway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The running of the bulls in Pamplona is an annual spectale in which at least a few people get gored. It's very controversial, and animal rights activists are doing their best to put an end to it. In the meantime, the goring videos tend to be popular.

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Three fjord horses
Michael Cummings / Moment / Getty Images
Which northern country enjoys this special equine?
Russia
Finland
Denmark
Norway
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The fjord horse is a fine animal indeed! It is the symbol of Norway, where its stocky frame is ideal for going up and down steep slopes.

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Wolf in forest
ducken99
This canine is the symbol of which Yugoslavian state?
Kosovo
Bosnia
Serbia
Croatia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The wolf is one of the several symbols of Serbia. Serbia is the biggest Yugoslavian country and used to dominate its neighbors.

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Reproduction aurochs in museum
Wiki Commons by Joanbanjo
What nation is represented by this mighty beast?
Greece
Moldova
Malta
Cyprus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Moldova is a small eastern country represented by the aurochs. A kind of bison, the aurochs is a fierce creature and not to be trifled with no matter what.

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Gray wolf on rock
Michael Cummings / Moment / Getty Images
Which nation that is only just in Europe looks up to this predator?
Iceland
Turkey
Norway
Switzerland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The grey wolf is the symbol of Turkey. It has been co-opted by far-right nationalists, which is a fate that befalls national animals in a number of countries.

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Black-tailed godwit
Wiki Commons by Hans Hillewaert
This shorebird represents which one of the Low Countries?
Belgium
Netherlands
Denmark
Luxembourg
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Holland has a lot of coasts, making the Black-Tailed Godwit a fine choice. It's a shorebird that loves marshes and plenty of wetland.

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Tural statue
Wiki Commons by Ninane
Which nation is represented by this mythological bird?
Czech Republic
Hungary
Austria
Switzerland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The turul never existed, but it is still Hungary's symbol. It is a giant mythical falcon, similar to a roc.

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Gyrfalcon
Wiki Commons by Ólafur Larsen
What remote European country looks to this splendid and very large raptor?
Iceland
Finland
Denmark
Kosovo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You can't get to Iceland without flying or swimming, so this is a fitting choice. The Gyrfalcon is the biggest falcon species and loves tundra, making Iceland's icy expanses perfect for it.

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Dolphins from beneath
Shin Okamoto / Moment / Getty Images
Which Mediterranean country is represented by this friendly sea creature?
Italy
Greece
Spain
Portugal
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The dolphin is a fine fit for Greece's beautiful islands and lovely weather. It's also friendly and sociable, much like the Greeks!

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What Rare Apex Predator Matches Your Personality? 3
David Fettes / Cultura / Getty Images
Which Nordic nation loves this fine grizzly fellow?
Finland
Denmark
Estonia
Latvia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The brown bear is a symbol of Russia, you say? Finland says fine, but if Russia can take their provinces, then Finland gets to take Russia's symbols!

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Eurasian oystercatcher
Wiki Commons by Andreas Trepte
Which island group is represented by this very cute wading bird?
Iceland
Faroe Islands
Malta
Cyprus
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Faroe Islands are part of Denmark but have their own symbol. This bird is pretty cute with its orange beak and legs. It's also the bearer of a remarkably specific name: the Eurasian Oystercatcher. That is because (and we must offer a spoiler alert here) it is from Eurasia, and it catches oysters.

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Cyprus mouflon
Wiki Commons by Smichael21
This badass sheep is the symbol of which southern nation?
Greece
Cyprus
Vatican City
Moldova
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This sheep is called the Cypriot mouflon. It is a wild sheep that is believed to be the common ancestor for all domestic sheep breeds.

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Gallic rooster
B.SCHMID / amanaimagesRF / Getty Images
This cocky fellow is le symbole for which nation?
Spain
Switzerland
France
Austria
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Gallic rooster is the ultimate French symbol. It's beautiful, it knows how to strut, and you can cook it about 1,200 ways in garlic and butter.

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Barn swallow
Wiki Commons by Jörg Hempel
Which Baltic state can't get enough of this cute little bird?
Denmark
Holland
Belgium
Estonia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The barn swallow is the most common kind of swallow. One way to see them up close is to walk through a wildflower meadow around sunset; your feet will stir up insects they like to eat, and the swallows will dart in circles around you as you go, looking for the food you have so kindly made available for them!

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Pine marten
Wiki Commons by Ellis Lawrence
Which Yugoslavian state simply adores this cute relative of the mink?
Albania
Croatia
Serbia
Kosovo
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Some nations go for lions, bears, falcons, or other aggressive and predatory species. Croatia went for this utterly adorable little fellow, the pine marten - which says many nice things about their culture and also explains why Serbia (lion) has been able to successfully invade them so often.

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Mute swan in Babylon Village NY
Vicki Jauron, Babylon and Beyond Photography / Moment / Getty Images
This graceful bird is the symbol of which Scandinavian country?
Austria
Denmark
Czech Republic
Hungary
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The mute swan is a very Danish bird indeed. It is elegant, understated, and beautiful - with an awful lot of very hard work and excellent design going on under the surface.

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Heraldic lion on coat of arms
rhkamen / Moment / Getty Images
Which nation enjoys this heraldic feline?
Denmark
Belgium
France
Spain
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The heraldic lion is not a real lion, but that doesn't stop it being a national symbol. It is depicted in the Belgian national colors and has been the national symbol since 1837.

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Heraldic lion statue
Wiki Commons by Nevit Dilmen
What is the home of this double-tailed cat?
Hungary
Austria
Czech Republic
Switzerland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Here we have another heraldic lion, this time from the Czech Republic. It harks back to the royal coat of arms of the kingdom of Bohemia.

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Blue rock thrush on branch
Wiki Commons by ROQUERO SOLITARIO II
Which island nation is represented by this bluish bird?
Malta
Cyprus
Iceland
Ireland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

This bird is known as the blue rock thrush. It's native to a vast swath of the world from the Mediterranean all the way to China, but Malta named it their special animal.

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Goldcrest on branch
Wiki Commons by Jacob Spinks
Which plucky little nation picked this plucky little bird?
Italy
Sweden
Luxembourg
United Kingdom
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The goldcrest is known as "king of the birds" in European folklore. This is because of its distinctive golden crown.

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White tailed eagle in flight
Wiki Commons by Yathin S Krishnappa
Which Eastern European country is patronized by this splendid bird?
Poland
Bulgaria
Romania
Moldova
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The white-tailed sea eagle is the national animal of Poland. It's a massive eagle which has a wingspan of eight feet!

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Eurasian blackbird on wall
Wiki Commons by Yangiskan
Which Nordic country looks up to this dusky bird?
Finland
Sweden
Norway
Denmark
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Eurasian blackbird is a type of thrush. Though the birds themselves are typically dark with a brownish sheen in the sunlight, their eggs are green.

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Red deer in summer
Howard Pugh / Moment / Getty Images
Which island nation admires this leaping beauty?
Cyprus
Ireland
Iceland
Malta
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The red deer is the symbol of Ireland. There are four main kinds of wild deer in Ireland these days, but this is the only one that is native to the country.

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Black eagle in flight
Wiki Commons by Vaibhavcho
Which two nations share the patronage of this fierce bird of prey?
Czech Republican and Hungary
Germany and Austria
Albania and Kosovo
Italy and Switzerland
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Germany and Austria share many cultural signifiers and this is one of them. It is a black eagle and its wingspan reaches as large as 7.5ft.

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Rabbit in field of grass
Pexels
Which little tiny nation loves this little tiny animal?
San Marino
Vatican City
Monaco
Andorra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Monaco is small and likes to break certain rules - most of their economy is based around legal gambling, being a tax haven, and, to be frank, international money laundering. That's why a cheeky animal like the rabbit is a great symbol!

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Olm
Wiki Commons by 芳蘭 徐芳蘭
Which Slavic nation is very proud to be home to these bizarre salamanders?
Slovenia
Slovakia
Hungary
Romania
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The olm is a strange animal and a very interesting one. It is an exclusively cave-dwelling salamander that is blind and very pale. Slovenia is doing a lot to protect its precious olms, including making them a national symbol.

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European brown bear
Alexas_Fotos
Which former Soviet nation shares its former colonizer's favorite symbol?
Ukraine
Bulgaria
Poland
East Germany
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The brown bear is a symbol common to several countries, like the lion. Ukraine has adopted it as a symbol of renewal, as it wakes from hibernating every spring.

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Golden eagle close-up
Josep Gual / Moment / Getty Images
Which Greek neighbor loves this shimmering bird of prey?
Albania
Kosovo
Macedonia
Serbia
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The golden eagle is the most famous eagle species. It can live in many places and is thus not considered endangered.

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Portuguese rooster in zoo
Wiki Commons by Glen Bowman
Which nation adores this fine chicken (which is not the Gallic rooster we saw earlier)?
Portugal
Germany
Greece
Italy
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

You might think this is a Gallic rooster, but it is not. It is a Portuguese rooster. That means it clucks in Portuguese, not French, and is the symbol of Portugal.

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Holstein cattle in field
CallyL
Which tiny landlocked nation picked this fine bovine for their national symbol?
France
Austria
Slovakia
Andorra
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Cattle is the symbol of Andorra, a small and often overlooked nation between France and Spain. There are plenty of kinds of cow all over the world, but not everyone appreciates them like the Andorrans do.

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Double headed eagle sculpture in Austria
Wiki Commons by Vi Ko
Which little nation has this two-headed bird for its symbol?
Montenegro
Switzerland
Slovakia
Czech Republic
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The two-headed eagle is the heraldic symbol of Montenegro. This little Yugoslavian nation does not have a real animal symbol.

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Embossed red dragon
Wiki Commons by 沈阳刘继鲁
This mythological reptilian creature represents which component portion of a European country?
Wales
Scotland
England
Isle of Man
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The Welsh dragon is a fine creature that appears on the Welsh flag. It's the battle standard of Celtic leaders and supposedly of King Arthur.

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Empty animal stall
Images by Fabio / Moment Open / Getty Images
Which European nation has not settled on any animal yet?
Kosovo
Vatican
San Marino
All of the above
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

These are all very little countries, so perhaps they do not think they are big enough for a national animal. We suggest that they could certainly have a nice little one!

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Unicorn in forest
Donald Iain Smith / Photodisc / Getty Images
What nation within a nation does this mythical equine represent?
England
Northern Ireland
Scotland
Outer Hebrides
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Scotland's unicorn goes all the way back to William I in the 12th century. It appears on the royal coat of arms of the United Kingdom, united with the English lion.

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Ngaire Lawson / Moment Open / Getty Images