Melange of 'J' Animals Trivia Quiz

Answer: aerial

Found mainly in South America, east of the Andes but occasionally as far north as the US, the jabiru is a large stork. Its name means 'swollen neck' and there is only one species in the genus. A couple of other stork species sometimes use the same name.

In addition to its eyes, the jabiru uses tactile sensing to catch its prey in shallow water, fishing with its bill open in the water. It is opportunistic, reportedly attracted to wild fires for the small fleeing mammals or gathering in their hundreds to make the most of mouse population spikes.

Answer: aerial

There are two jackdaw species in the Coloeus genus of the crow family Corvidae. The Daurian jackdaw, taking its name after a region in eastern Russia, is native to east Asia. The main difference from the western jackdaw is plumage colouring. Size and habits are shared with jackdaws being smaller than crows.

The western jackdaw's range covers western Asia, north Africa and Europe. They have a social hierarchy, have communal roosts (although males and females pair-bond for life) and often hang out with hooded crows and rooks.

Answer: aerial

The junco genus of sparrow family birds from North America consists of between three and twelve species, depending on who's writing. Their habitat is coniferous or mixed forest, nothing to do with the Spanish word 'junco' (meaning 'rushes') which would suggest wetland areas.

They prefer dry conditions, eat mainly seeds and insects, and have well-hidden nests on the ground or low in shrubs. Northern birds usually migrate south for the winter.

Answer: aerial

Jacamars are found in South and Central America and resemble Old World bee-eaters with their long narrow beaks. At the time of writing this quiz, there are 18 species spread across 5 genera and they are related to puffbirds. Insectivores, they mostly use hawking behaviour where they launch and return to favoured perches between snatching the identified prey from the air.

The great jacamar is an exception, gleaning spiders from foliage as well.

Answer: aquatic

The Carangidae family of fish includes the jacks or jack fish, a name which encompasses several species although most people may be referring to the crevalle jack (Caranx hippos). A large predator fish found in the tropical and temperate Atlantic coastal waters down to 350 metres (1,150 ft) in depth, it migrates to tropical waters in winter, failing which mass die-offs have been noted.

It is an important fish for commercial fisheries.

Answer: aquatic

One view is that the fish's name comes from the 17th century (or earlier) English-language folk song "John Dory", possibly an altered version of the 15th century French name dorée (meaning gilded). It is the name of a predator fish of the Zeus genus, normally Zeus faber, which has a distinctive eye spot on the side of its body. One story is that the eye spot is St Peter's thumb print, leading to alternative names such as St Pierre or Peter's fish.

It is a coastal fish, found down to 360 m (1,180 ft) with binocular vision and a very thin body when seen from the front, both useful in a predator.

Answer: aquatic

There are at least seven fish species that are sometimes called javelin, the three main ones being Coelorinchus australis, the thorntooth grenadier (Lepidorhynchus denticulatus) and the lighthouse lizardfish. The first two are found around Australia and New Zealand. The third is more Indo-Pacific but can be found around Australia.

The lizardfish probably gets its javelin name from its species name Synodus jaculum with 'jaculum' being Latin for 'javelin', perhaps due to its unusual swimming behaviour.

Answer: aquatic

Named after the 1920s US boxer, the Jack Dempsey (Rocio octofasciata) is a freshwater species of cichlid fish native to Central America (from Honduras to southern Mexico). Cichlids are known for their aggressive behaviour and competition for food.

They are popular aquarium fish but get deliberately released outside their native ecosystem. They are one of around 30 aquarium fish species now established in Australian waterways with detrimental impacts on native wildlife.

Answer: terrestrial

The main populations of the jaguarandi are found in South America, east of the Andes, and Central America. It is a medium-sized wild cat with two colour varieties. It is closest to the cougar in terms of evolution although its name is from the Old Guarani name meaning 'dark jaguar'.

The jaguarandi is reclusive but is more active during the day than most wild cats. About twice the size of a domestic cat, it weighs 3.5-7 kg (7.7-15.4 lb) and typically will prey on animals less than 1 kg (2.2 lb) in weight, although larger prey may be tackled. Mammals seem to be the preference, although birds, fish, reptiles, amphibians and arthropods are eaten.

Answer: terrestrial

The English word 'jackal' can be traced ultimately to Persian-Sanskrit words meaning 'howler'. A wolf-like canid, there are three species now considered jackals. Their range takes in southern and central Africa (black-backed jackal and side-striped jackal) and south-eastern Europe through to South Asia (golden jackal).

Mostly active at dawn and dusk, they are opportunistic omnivores with a physique suited to long-distance running. The normal social unit is a monogamous pair although family groups are important for rearing young.

Answer: terrestrial

A hopping desert rodent, a bit like a miniature kangaroo with a mouse body, the jerboa is found in North Africa and Asia. They almost exclusively move around on two legs, hopping, skipping and running with frequent direction and speed changes to evade predators. Most active at twilight, they dig burrows to wait out the heat of the day, usually with an emergency exit.

They also have a permanent summer burrow for raising young and a separate winter burrow for hibernation.

Answer: terrestrial

The Lepus genus of mammals consists of over 30 species of hares and jackrabbits. The 'jackrabbit' species name is only found in North America. Hares and jackrabbits differ from rabbits in being larger, longer eared, having four more chromosomes and with their young born fully furred and with eyes open.

While there are domesticated rabbits, there are few if any domesticated hares in modern times.