About This Quiz
The world is full of cringe-worthy wild critters that most of us know very little about. This quiz will change that, at least for you. No need to purchase outrageously priced plane tickets and hotel stays in far-off, extreme destinations where the most elusive wild ones are purported to dwell. Then again, you could just download a coupon and splurge on a nominal admission fee at your local zoo, where you're more likely to find the most bizarre, deadliest, venomous, smelliest ...Â
Ah, yes, the smells of the local zoo. When the words "wild" and "zoo" come to mind, the idea of a three-hour nose-clutching stench-fest is a none-too-distant dissuader. On second thought, avoid the torturous strains of amalgamated wild animal funk that await at the local creature camp. Spare your olfactory organs by gaining first-rate creature lowdown with this quiz, instead. Brush up on the latest mating practices, camouflage techniques and burrowing habits that the wild animals are into these days. Learn which beloved beasts finally made it to the top-10 critically endangered list in recent years. For some reasons, a few you will discover herein, there are always one or more new brutes that make the list every year. Find out, breathe in, click on and enjoy this digital safari!Â
Sloth bear cubs between 6 and 9 months old cling to an extra patch of fur on the sloth mother's back. The sloth bear does not have an undercoat beneath its fleecy fur, which keeps the bear cool in their tropical environments.
The coronated tree frog is monotypic of the genus Anotheca. Although it has no vocal structures, the repetitive sounds it makes can be heard up to 300 feet in the distance.
Minnesota, the "land of 10,000 lakes," has several types of owls, but the great horned owl is the most prevalent in the state. This owl makes a piercing shrill and emits a booming "hoot."
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The Eastern diamondback rattlesnake is the longest snake in all of North America. This husky breed averages 10 pounds.
The Chinese crocodile lizard can only be found in Asia, specifically in Vietnam and China. This lizard earned the nickname "lizard of great sleepiness" because it often enters a catatonic state for up to several hours at one time.
You'll find the largest population of Australian sea lions in Kangaroo Island and Dangerous Reef in South Australia. Certain colonies of the endangered Australian sea lion are protected by the Great Australian Bight Marine Park.
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The Cuban crocodile roams the smallest range of any crocodile. This crocodile typically ventures no farther than 200 square miles.
To fortify social bonds, titi monkeys entwine their tails when they sit together. This occurs whether the monkeys are asleep or awake,
The North Pacific-dwelling northern elephant seal is the second largest seal in the world, with adult males averaging 4,500 pounds. The southern elephant seal is the world's largest seal.
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The white-naped crane is found in Mongolia. This wild crane species stands approximately 44 to 49 inches in height.
The wild radiated tortoise fancies the woodlands, thorn forests and dry brush regions of southern Madagascar. This slow-moving tortoise prefers the solitary life and is most active during the daylight hours.
The wild ring-tailed lemur is known for its distinctive long tail, which measures close to 23 inches. These creatures have white underbellies, feet and hands.
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Gelada baboons are very terrestrial creatures. Most of them prefer to occupy open plateaus and near the clefts and steep slopes that surround these areas.
The honey badger tends to strike only when startled by predators. This badger's skin is so thick that it can withstand porcupine quills and bee stings.
Adult male killer whales are massive, and can grow as large as 9 meters in length on average. Adult female killer whales grow as large as approximately 8 meters in length.
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A standing larger Malay mouse-deer's hind pair of legs rise higher than its front end. This nocturnal creature is usually found in south Asia.
The Gulf Coast box turtle is the largest of the box turtles. The largest size of a Gulf Coast box turtle ever recorded is 8.5 inches.
In South America, only the jaguar is larger than the ocelot. The endangered ocelot weighs 30 pounds and is approximately 4 feet long.
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The oldest living sloth died at 49 years old and was a two-toed sloth. In the wild, a two-toed sloth's lifespan is 20 years on average.
The fleeting bush dog is hard to observe in its Central and South American tropical environments. Their lifespan in the wild is unknown.
The Southeast Asian Burmese rock python is a crossbreed of the Indian python. It can disconnect its jaw to devour prey four to five times the size of its head.
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The bald eagle is found throughout North America. Its lifespan is approximately 50 years.
The dwarf mongoose is native to eastern and South Africa. This omnivore may have a vast diet, but a full-grown male weighs approximately 11 ounces.
The New Caledonian gecko is exclusive to the South Pacific islands of New Caledonia. The New Caledonian gecko can release its tail if it is distressed and grow it back later.
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The marine otter weighs approximately 13 pounds, while the sea otter weighs an average of 100 pounds. The marine otter dwells in South America along the Pacific coast region.
Recent biological analysis has revealed that the African golden jackal differs from the gray wolf in mitochondrial DNA up to 6.7 percent. A small population of this slightly diverse gray wolf subspecies can be found across North and East Africa.
The plunge-diving brown pelican has air sacs all over its body to protect it from impact. It uses its huge bill sack underwater to scoop up prey like a fishing net.
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The Goliath bird-eating tarantula is the largest spider in the world. It can weigh up to approximately 6 ounces.
The small fennec fox is native to the dry regions of Arabia and North Africa. This fox is an excellent jumper, even though mature adults can only grow as long as 16 inches on average.
Roseate Cockatoos are rather noisy when flocking in groups. These birds prefer to graze the open grasslands of Australia for seeds and grain.
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The woylie is considered a brush-tailed bettong because it has a black brush at the end of its long tail. This wild nocturnal creature forages the native fungi of Australia.
The meaty blue catfish can weigh up to 115 pounds! This fish is native to the freshwater rivers of Mississippi, Ohio and Missouri.
The American flamingo is also known as the Caribbean flamingo. Of all the flamingo species, the American flamingo is a more intense hunter. It submerges its entire head and much of its neck into lagoon waters to catch prey.
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In spite of its size and reputation for attacking humans on sight, anacondas are rarely hostile toward humans. A large full-grown anaconda can weigh as much as 1,100 pounds and can measure as large as 12 inches in diameter.
Populations of gray wolf, also known as the timber wolf, have experienced decline due to change in habitat. In the past, the gray wolf roamed more than two-thirds of the United States.
The eland is most commonly found on game reserves in South Africa. This animal has a small hump on its back and loose-hanging skin under its neck, which is called a dewlap.
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The Galapagos penguin is the only penguin that inhabits the equator. These wild creatures hop with two feet and waddle as they move about.
The white-rumped vulture is a critically endangered species due to population decline. Scientists have concluded that veterinary use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) in animals is causing the rapid decline of the animal carcass-scavenging white-rumped vulture.
Canada Goose is the name of a luxury apparel company founded in Toronto, Canada. Canada geese are very popular birds. These birds form a recognizable V-shape as they emit honking noises while flying through North American skies.
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The bobcat is able to run up to 30 miles per hour. This wild animal is an extremely skilled hunter. The bobcat can place its hind feet in the same position as its front feet to reduce noise during a hunt.