Animals: Real or Not Trivia Quiz

Answer:

Taguan is the common name for a specific species of flying squirrel, generally, those that belong to the genus Petaurista. The most significant feature of this set is (a) their large size (for a squirrel) and (b) their ability to glide. They are stealthy little creatures who prefer to feed under the cover of darkness, and their diet is made up of fruits, nuts and leaves.

The siamung is a gibbon native to the forests of Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia. Sadly, it is an endangered species, brought about by the deforestation of their habitats. It is among the largest of the gibbons, generally twice the size of the rest of their breed and they're further distinguished by the fact that their second and third toes are partially joined by a membrane.

Zonures, also known as the stargazer or giant girdled lizards, are a threatened species that is endemic to South Africa. It is the largest of the lizards of the species Cordylidae. They are long-lived insectivores that live in burrows, and only reproduce one to two offspring every two to three years.

The coatimundi or, simply, coati, is a member of the raccoon family and is common in both South and Central America, as well as some of the southern regions of the United States. Blessed with a long snout and a flexible nose, it is able to root into the ground in search of invertebrates to feast upon. Not fussy, they're also happy to dine out on fruit, eggs, other lizards and small birds.

If you have never heard of a binturong, think bobcat and you'll get a fair image of one. This one is the only species that belongs in the genus Arctictis. Despite the name of the genus, this is a creature that does not enjoy the cold climes, is considered vulnerable in respect to extinction and can be found in the south and south-east regions of Asia. A relative of the civet and the mongoose, it has a long heavy body and is, generally, black in colour. It dines out on fruit but it won't say no to a feed of eggs or the occasional small animal.

Found in South and Central America, the oropendola is a large bird from the blackbird family. Whilst black is part of its plumage, they are, predominantly, chestnut or dark brown in colour. That said, there are also olive green variants to be seen. These birds are gifted mimics, are very vocal and they feed on large insects and fruits.

Pichiciegos, while they sound like a Pokémon monster, are armadillos. They are pink in colour and, at approximately 90-115 millimetres (3.5 to 4.5 inches) in length, are the smallest of the breed. A solitary creature, it has adapted well to the deserts of Argentina, and it feeds on insects, worms and snails. It is blessed with a specialized claw, which enables it to dig into sandy soils, and bury itself in a matter of seconds, to use as a defense mechanism.

The aracari is a mid-sized toucan that is one of two members of the Pteroglossus genus. The other being the saffron toucanet. They are brightly coloured birds that nest in tree holes, laying two to four eggs at a time. They are mainly fruit eaters but will, occasionally, chew on insects and, unlike most toucans, some of the aracaris will roost socially with up to six adults and young sleeping in the same hole.

Another of the birds in this list is the ortolan, which is a member of the bunting family and can be found throughout Europe and the western regions of Asia. The male has a striking colouration, usually with a grey-green head, a yellow throat, chestnut belly and a series of intricate markings that run across its top. They build their nests on the ground or, if not, pretty close to it, and they feed, mainly, on seeds but will round out their diet with beetles or other insects. The latter, particularly, when feeding their young. In France this bird has been a delicacy but, when its numbers dropped to dangerously low levels, laws were introduced to ensure its protection.

The last creature on the above listing is the aoudad, which is better known as the Barbary sheep, a species that is native to the mountainous regions of Northern Africa. It can also be seen in areas of West Africa. The species is well adapted to the dry regions that exist here, most notably the Sahara Desert, however, its numbers have dwindled in this region, as a result of hunting. It is now an introduced species in North America and Europe and other parts of the globe, though it has not always proven to be a benefit. In the northern parts of Australia, for example, it has been labelled a pest.

In case you missed it, the six fictional creatures in the above list, when spelled backwards, reveal the words bitumen, cowboy, condom, limoncello, Yankovic and original.