Can You Pass The B Test? Trivia Quiz

Answer: fish

The bitterling (Rhodeus amarus) is a small freshwater fish found in Europe and Asia, known for its unique breeding behaviour. Instead of laying eggs in open water, the female deposits them inside freshwater mussels, where they develop safely before hatching. This symbiotic relationship benefits both the fish and the mussel.

Bitterlings are typically silver with iridescent hues. They thrive in slow-moving or still waters, feeding on plant matter and small invertebrates. While not commercially significant, they are studied for their ecological interactions and have even been used in historical pregnancy tests due to their sensitivity to hormones.

Answer: fish

The blackchin guitarfish (Glaucostegus cemiculus) is a ray-like fish found in the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. It has a flattened body, a long pointed snout, and a black chin marking. It's a bottom-dweller, feeding on crustaceans and molluscs, and gives birth to live young.

Due to overfishing, especially for its fins, it is critically endangered. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect its dwindling population.

Answer: fish

Brotula fish are deep-sea, eel-like, creatures found in tropical and subtropical waters. They have elongated bodies, often with pointed tails, and can range from a few centimetres to nearly a meter. Some species live in shallow reefs, while others inhabit extreme depths, even beyond 7,000 meters (4.35 miles).

Interestingly, certain brotulas are blind, adapting to life in dark environments. Their reproduction varies, some lay gelatinous eggs, while others give birth to live young. Despite their mysterious nature, they are abundant in deep-sea ecosystems and play a role in marine food chains.

Answer: fish

The bocaccio rockfish (Sebastes paucispinis) is a large, long-lived species found along the Pacific coast of North America, ranging from Alaska to Baja California. It has a reddish-brown to copper colouration, with a distinctively large mouth that extends past its eyes. Bocaccio can grow up to 0.91 metres (3 feet long) and live for over 50 years.

They inhabit rocky reefs and deep waters, often found at depths between 304.8 metres (1,000 feet) and 45.72 meters (150 feet). Juveniles prefer shallower kelp forests, using floating debris for shelter. Their diet consists of small fish, squid, and crustaceans, with younger individuals feeding on zooplankton.

Answer: mammal

The banteng (Bos javanicus) is a species of wild cattle native to Southeast Asia, known for its sleek build and striking colouration. Males are typically dark brown to black, while females are reddish-brown, both featuring white markings on their legs and rump. They inhabit forests, grasslands, and open woodlands, often forming small herds led by a dominant bull.

Banteng are herbivores, feeding on grasses, leaves, and fruits, and can survive long periods without water during droughts. They are critically endangered, primarily due to habitat loss and hunting, though conservation efforts aim to protect remaining populations. Interestingly, domesticated banteng, known as Bali cattle, are widely used in agriculture.

Answer: mammal

The binturong (Arctictis binturong), also known as the bearcat, is a tree-dwelling mammal native to Southeast Asia. Despite its name, it is neither a bear nor a cat but belongs to the civet family. It has thick black fur, a long bushy tail, and white whiskers, giving it a distinctive appearance.

Binturongs are excellent climbers, using their prehensile tails for balance as they navigate the treetops. They are omnivores, feeding on fruits, small animals, and eggs, with a particular fondness for figs, which play a role in seed dispersal. They produce a scent that smells like buttered popcorn, which helps them communicate with others.

These nocturnal creatures are vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting, with populations declining since the 1980s. Conservation efforts focus on protecting their forest habitats and reducing illegal trade.

Answer: mammal

The bonobo (Pan paniscus) is a great ape native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, closely related to chimpanzees but with distinct differences. They have slender builds, longer limbs, and darker faces, often displaying strong social bonds and cooperative behaviours. Unlike chimpanzees, bonobos are known for their peaceful and matriarchal societies, relying on social bonding rather than aggression to resolve conflicts.

Bonobos primarily eat fruit, supplemented with leaves, seeds, and small animals, and they spend much of their time in trees. They are highly intelligent, capable of tool use and complex communication, and share 98.7% of their DNA with humans. Sadly, they are endangered, facing threats from habitat destruction and poaching.

Answer: mammal

The babirusa (Babyrousa genus) is a unique wild pig native to Indonesia, particularly the islands of Sulawesi, Togian, Sula, and Buru. It is famous for its extraordinary tusks, which curve backwards over its face, sometimes even growing into the skull if left unchecked. These tusks are actually elongated canine teeth, more prominent in males.

Babirusas have slender bodies, long legs, and short, sparse fur, giving them a somewhat prehistoric appearance. They inhabit rainforests and wetlands, feeding on fruits, leaves, roots, and small animals. Unlike typical pigs, they lack a strong snout for rooting, relying more on their agility and speed, as they can run up to 48.28 km/h (30 mph).

Due to habitat loss and hunting, babirusas are threatened, with conservation efforts aiming to protect their dwindling populations. Their unusual appearance has made them the subject of folklore and ancient cave art.

Answer: bird

The bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) is a migratory songbird found in North and South America. It has a striking black-and-white plumage in summer, with males displaying a reversed tuxedo look, black underneath and white on top. As the seasons change, they moult into buff-coloured feathers, resembling females.

Bobolinks are known for their long-distance migrations, travelling over 19,312 kilometres (12,000 miles) annually between North America and South America. They breed in grasslands, where males perform bubbly, musical songs while fluttering in the air. Their diet consists of seeds, grains, and insects, and they are sometimes called rice birds due to their preference for cultivated grains.

Answer: bird

The bufflehead (Bucephala albeola) is a small, energetic diving duck native to North America. It has a distinctive large, rounded head, with males displaying black-and-white plumage and an iridescent green and purple sheen. Females are more subdued, with grey-brown feathers and a white cheek patch.

Buffleheads are excellent divers, feeding on insects, crustaceans, and molluscs in lakes, ponds, and coastal waters. They nest in tree cavities, often using old woodpecker holes, and are known for their monogamous pair bonds, sometimes staying with the same mate for years.

These ducks migrate seasonally, breeding in Canada and Alaska before wintering in southern North America. Despite habitat challenges, their population remains stable, thanks to conservation efforts.

Answer: bird

The bay coucal (Centropus celebensis) is a large, reddish-brown cuckoo native to Indonesia, particularly Sulawesi. It has a long, shaggy-looking tail and prefers dense vegetation in lowland forests and foothills. Unlike many cuckoos, it does not rely on other birds to raise its young but instead builds its own nests.

Bay coucals are solitary or found in pairs, often hidden in vine tangles. Their call is a series of deep hoots, sometimes triggering responses from nearby coucals. They are omnivorous, feeding on insects, small vertebrates, and fruit. While their population is declining, they are still classified as Least Concern due to their wide range.

Answer: bird

The brant goose (Branta bernicla) is a small, migratory waterfowl found in coastal regions across North America, Europe, and Asia. It has dark plumage, a short bill, and a white neck patch, distinguishing it from other geese.

Brants breed in the high Arctic tundra, where they nest in grassy areas near water, and migrate to temperate coastal zones for winter. Their diet consists mainly of seagrass and algae, making them highly dependent on marine habitats. They are known for their strong flocking behaviour, often travelling in large groups during migration.

While their population remains stable, habitat changes and climate shifts can impact their breeding and feeding grounds. Conservation efforts focus on protecting coastal ecosystems to ensure their survival.

Answer: reptile

The Brazilian tegu (Salvator merianae) is a large, omnivorous lizard native to South America, particularly Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay. It has a robust body, powerful limbs, and a long tail, making it an agile climber and burrower. Its black-and-white patterned scales provide excellent camouflage in forests and grasslands.

Brazilian tegus are opportunistic feeders, consuming fruits, insects, small vertebrates, and eggs. They are known for their intelligence and can even recognise their owners in captivity. Unlike many reptiles, they exhibit seasonal endothermy, meaning they can temporarily raise their body temperature during breeding periods.

While they are popular pets, they are also considered invasive in some regions due to their adaptability and rapid reproduction. Conservation efforts focus on managing wild populations and preventing ecological disruptions.

Answer: reptile

The black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is a large, apex predator found in the Amazon Basin, making it one of the biggest members of the alligator family. It has dark, nearly black scales, which help with camouflage in murky waters, and a powerful jaw suited for catching a variety of prey, including fish, birds, and mammals.

Black caimans are mostly nocturnal, hunting at night while spending their days basking on riverbanks. They play a crucial role in their ecosystem, helping regulate prey populations. Despite their size and dominance, they were once hunted extensively for their valuable skin, leading to population declines. Conservation efforts have helped them recover, but they still face threats from habitat destruction.

Answer: reptile

The blue-throated anole (Anolis bombiceps) is a small, diurnal lizard found in the Amazon Basin, particularly in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is known for its striking blue throat, which sets it apart from other anoles in the region. Males have a larger dewlap and a thicker tail base due to reproductive structures.

These anoles prefer lowland rainforests, often staying close to the ground on logs, leaf litter, and shrubs, though they occasionally climb tree trunks. They are passive foragers, feeding on small invertebrates like mites and insects. At night, they roost on leaves just a few centimetres above the ground.

Despite being rare in Ecuador, they are widely distributed across the Amazon and are classified as Least Concern, meaning they are not currently at risk of extinction.

Answer: reptile

The bushmaster (Lachesis genus) is a large, venomous pit viper found in Central and South America, particularly in rainforests. It is one of the longest venomous snakes, reaching up to 3 meters (10 feet) in length.

Bushmasters are solitary and nocturnal, preferring dense vegetation where they remain hidden. They use heat-sensitive pits near their eyes to detect prey, primarily small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Their venom is hemotoxic, affecting blood and tissue, though bites are rare due to their reclusive nature.

Despite their fearsome reputation, they play a crucial role in their ecosystem by controlling rodent populations. Habitat loss poses a threat to their survival, but they remain elusive in the wild.