All Things Gray Trivia Quiz

Answer: Africa

The African savanna (or bush) elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest land mammal, with males reaching up to four meters (13 feet) in height and weighing as much as 7,000 kgs (15,430 lb). It thrives in open grasslands and savannas across sub-Saharan Africa. These elephants are easily recognized by their enormous ears, which help regulate body temperature, and their curved tusks, present in both males and females.

In contrast, the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) is smaller and adapted to life in dense tropical forests of Central and West Africa. It has straighter, downward-pointing tusks suited for navigating thick vegetation and rounder ears compared to its savanna counterpart. Forest elephants tend to form smaller family groups and are more elusive due to their habitat.

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is slightly smaller than the African species, with males reaching about 3 meters (10 feet) in height. Found in forests and grasslands across South and Southeast Asia, it has smaller ears and a distinctive domed head. Unlike African elephants, only males typically grow large tusks, while females may have small 'tushes.' These elephants have a long history of interaction with humans, often used in labor and cultural traditions.

Answer: Australia

The Mertens' water monitor (Varanus mertensi) is a semi-aquatic lizard native to northern Australia, typically growing to about 2 meters (about 6 1/2 feet) in length, including its tail. It inhabits rivers, streams, and wetlands, using its streamlined body and flattened tail for efficient swimming. This species is an opportunistic predator, feeding on fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects, and is known for its ability to dive and remain submerged while hunting. Although widespread, it faces threats from habitat loss and invasive cane toads, which are toxic when consumed.

First formally described and named by Australian zoologist Ludwig Glauert in 1951, he named the species after renowned German herpetologist Robert Mertens. Mertens' water monitor is one of only two (along with the Borneo earless monitor) capable of swallowing its prey while underwater, and is the ONLY monitor species reported capable of using its sense of smell to hunt underwater.

Answer: Wheel bug

The North American wheel bug (Arilus cristatus) is easily recognized by the distinctive semicircular, gear-like crest on its thorax, which gives it its common name. Wheel bugs are predatory insects that play an important role in controlling pests, feeding on caterpillars, beetles, and other insects. Despite their beneficial role, they can deliver a painful bite if handled, making them a species best admired from a distance.

Adults typically measure between about 3 to 4 cm (1.25 to 1.5 in) in length, making them one of the largest true bugs in North America. They are most commonly found in the eastern and southern United States, inhabiting gardens, woodlands, and areas with abundant vegetation where prey insects are plentiful.

Answer: Canada jay

The Canada jay (Perisoreus canadensis) is a hardy, medium-sized songbird belonging to the crow family and is widely recognized as Canada's national bird, declared by an act of Parliament in May of 2025. Known for its intelligence and adaptability, this bird thrives in cold climates and is often spotted in the aforementioned boreal forests. Canada jays are opportunistic feeders, storing food in tree crevices to survive harsh winters, and are famous for their curiosity and tendency to approach humans.

Typically measuring about 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12 in) in length, Canada jays have soft gray plumage with lighter underparts and a distinctive dark cap. They are found across the northern parts of Canada and into Alaska, as well as high-altitude forests in the Rocky Mountains. Their resilience and year-round presence in remote wilderness areas make them an iconic symbol of Canada's rugged landscapes.

Answer: no water

The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a tree-dwelling marsupial best known for its thick gray fur, large fluffy ears, and distinctive round nose. Koalas are herbivores that feed almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, which provide little nutrition, so they spend most of their time resting to conserve energy (up to 20 hours per day). They are solitary animals and have a strong sense of smell to detect suitable eucalyptus species for feeding.

Koalas typically measure 60 to 85 cm (24 to 33 in) in length and weigh between 4 and 15 kg ((9 and 33 lb), with males generally larger than females. They are found in eucalyptus forests and woodlands across eastern and southeastern Australia, including Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and parts of South Australia. Despite their iconic status, koalas face threats from habitat loss, disease, and climate change, making conservation efforts critical for their survival.

Answer: False

The most populous dolphin species are:
the common dolphin (Delphinus delphis), est. 6 million plus;
the pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), est. 3 million plus; and
the striped dolphin (Stenella coeruleoalba), est. 2 million plus.

In spite of the above statistics, the common bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is one of the most well-known and widely studied marine mammals, recognized for its intelligence, playful behaviour, and strong social bonds. There are estimated to be a minimum of 600,000 individuals around the planet. These dolphins are highly adaptable, living in both coastal and offshore waters, and are famous for their acrobatic leaps and complex communication using clicks and whistles. They are carnivorous, feeding primarily on fish and squid, and often hunt cooperatively in pods.

Bottlenose dolphins typically range from 2 to 4 meters (6.5 to 13.1 feet) in length and weigh between 150 and 650 kg (330 and 1,430 lb), with males generally larger than females. They are found in warm and temperate oceans worldwide, including the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea. Their adaptability and close interaction with humans have made them a symbol of marine conservation and a favorite in ecotourism and research.

Answer: Gossamer-winged

Metalmarks are the nickname for butterflies in the Riodinidae family.
Skippers are the nickname for butterflies in the Hesperiidae family.
Swallowtails are the nickname for butterflies in the Papilionidae family.

The gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus) is a small but distinctive butterfly in the Lycaenidae family, recognized by a single slender 'hairstreak' tail on each hindwing and a vivid orange spot near the tail on the upper surface. Members of the Lycaenidae family are commonly called 'gossamer-winged' butterflies.

With a wingspan ranging from about 2.2 to 3.5 cm (1 to 1.5 inches), gray hairstreaks are widespread across North America - from southern Canada through the continental U.S. down into Mexico and beyond into Central America. They frequent open, disturbed habitats like fields, roadsides, and meadows, where their caterpillars feed on flowers and fruits from a remarkable variety of plant families, including peas, mallows, cotton, clover, and beans.

Answer: True

The gray seal (Halichoerus grypus) is a large marine mammal belonging to the true seal family (Phocidae), easily recognized by its long, horse-like snout and robust body. Adult males can reach lengths of 2.7 to 3.3 meters (8.9 to 10.8 feet) and weigh up to 680 kg (1,500 lb), while females are smaller. Their dense, spotted coat varies from gray to brown, providing camouflage in rocky coastal environments. Grey seals are skilled divers, capable of descending over 400 meters (1,312 feet) and remaining underwater for nearly an hour while hunting fish, squid, and crustaceans.

These seals inhabit temperate and subarctic waters of the North Atlantic, with the three major populations found along the eastern North American coast, northern Europe, and the Baltic Sea. They haul themselves out of the sea onto sandy beaches, rocky shores, and islands for breeding and molting, forming large colonies during these periods. Once threatened by hunting, grey seals have rebounded and are now classified as least concern, with a global population of roughly 600,000 to 650,000 individuals. Despite protections, they still face risks from entanglement, pollution, and human disturbance.

Answer: Canis lupus

Canis lupaster is the binomial name for the African wolf.
Canis lycaon is the binomial name for the eastern wolf.
Canis simensis is the binomial name for the Ethiopian or Abyssinian wolf.

The gray wolf (Canis lupus) is, as noted, the largest member of the dog family (Canidae) and a highly adaptable predator found across the northern hemisphere. Known for its intelligence and complex social structure, the gray wolf lives in packs that cooperate in hunting and raising young. Adults typically measure 1.2 to 2 meters (4 to 6.5 feet) from nose to tail and weigh between 30 and 80 kg (66 and 176 lb), with northern populations generally larger than southern ones. Their thick fur varies from gray to brown, black, or even white, providing camouflage in diverse habitats.

Gray wolves historically ranged across most of North America, Europe, and Asia, inhabiting forests, tundra, grasslands, and deserts. Today, they are primarily found in remote wilderness areas due to habitat loss and human conflict, though conservation efforts have helped restore populations in parts of the U.S. and Europe. As apex predators, they play a vital role in maintaining ecosystem balance by controlling prey populations such as deer and elk. Despite past persecution, the species is now listed as least concern globally, though regional populations remain vulnerable.

Answer: 40 to 60 years

African gray parrots generally live between 40 and 60 years when kept in captivity under proper care. In their natural habitat, their lifespan is shorter, typically ranging from 20 to 30 years due to environmental challenges and predators (see below).

The African gray parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is one of the most intelligent and iconic parrot species, renowned for its exceptional ability to mimic human speech and sounds. Native to the rainforests and savannas of West and Central Africa, this medium-sized parrot has striking silver-gray plumage, a bright red tail, and a strong black beak. African grays are highly social and thrive in flocks in the wild, feeding on seeds, nuts, fruits, and occasionally leafy matter. Their advanced cognitive skills and problem-solving abilities make them popular as companion birds, though they require significant mental stimulation.

Adults typically measure about 33 cm (13 in) in length and weigh between 400 and 650 grams (0.9 to 1.4 lb). They inhabit countries such as Cameroon, Ghana, and the Congo Basin, favoring dense forests but also adapting to woodland edges and cultivated areas. Despite their popularity in aviculture, African gray parrots face serious threats from habitat loss and illegal trapping for the pet trade, leading to their classification as endangered by the IUCN.