The chital (Axis axis), also known as the axis deer, is native to India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Despite its name, it is not closely related to the cheetah. It has an elegant, reddish-brown coat adorned with white spots that remain visible into adulthood, unlike the spots of many other deer species which fade. Adult males have three-pronged antlers which they shed and regrow annually.
Chital are highly social animals that often form herds led by a dominant male. They are herbivores that feed mainly on grass, leaves, and fruit. Chital deer are excellent swimmers and can outrun predators with impressive speed and agility. They often use their white undertail as a visual signal to alert others in the herd.
2. Guineafowl
Answer: Spotted
Guineafowl (Numida meleagris) are birds from sub-Saharan Africa, though some species have been introduced elsewhere as domestic or game birds. These ground-dwelling birds spend most of their time foraging for seeds, roots, insects and small invertebrates. Their plumage is dark grey or black with numerous small white spots, which provide camouflage in dry grassland habitats.
Guineafowl live in flocks sometimes numbering dozens of individuals and maintain contact through loud, repetitive calls. When threatened, they prefer to run rather than fly, but can take short, rapid flights if necessary. Several species are now widespread outside their native range, particularly the helmeted guineafowl, which has been domesticated in many countries for meat and pest control.
3. Ornate Horned Frog
Answer: Spotted
The ornate horned frog (Ceratophrys ornata) is a large amphibian native to the grasslands and marshes of Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. It belongs to a group commonly known as South American horned frogs, named for the horn-like projections above their eyes. This species has a broad body, a wide mouth and coloration that varies from green to brown with symmetrical dark markings. These patterns help the frog blend into leaf litter and soil.
Ornate horned frogs are ambush predators that feed on insects, small reptiles and even other frogs. They spend most of their time buried in the ground, waiting for prey to pass by. During dry periods, they enter a state of dormancy encased in a protective cocoon of shed skin. The species is sometimes kept as an exotic pet but requires controlled humidity and temperature to survive in captivity.
4. Harlequin Filefish
Answer: Spotted
The harlequin filefish (Oxymonacanthus longirostris) is a small species found in coral reefs throughout the Indo-Pacific region. It belongs to the filefish family, which is known for its rough, sandpaper-like skin and its ability to change colour to match its surroundings. The harlequin filefish has a slender body adorned with blue or green spots and orange bands which enables it to blend in amongst coral branches.
This species feeds almost exclusively on the polyps of Acropora corals, making it highly sensitive to coral reef decline. It usually occurs in pairs or small groups and uses its small, upturned mouth to nip at coral surfaces. When threatened, it hides among coral branches or assumes a head-down posture to remain inconspicuous. Due to its dependence on living coral, the species is considered vulnerable to habitat loss from reef bleaching.
5. Pietrain Pig
Answer: Spotted
The Pietrain pig is a breed of domestic pig that originated in the Belgian village of Pietrain. It is primarily raised for its meat and is known for its high proportion of lean muscle and low fat content. Pietrain pigs have a light-coloured coat marked with dark patches that remain visible throughout their lives.
This breed is typically used in crossbreeding programmes to improve muscle development in commercial pigs. Pietrain pigs are known for their relatively fast growth rates and efficient feed conversion. However, they require careful management as they are more susceptible than other breeds to stress-related conditions such as porcine stress syndrome. Pietrain pigs are kept on farms in Europe and other regions for breeding and meat production.
6. Nyala
Answer: Striped
The nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) is a species of antelope native to southern Africa. It is primarily found in dense woodlands and thickets. Adult males have a dark brown coat with vertical white stripes on their torso, whereas females are lighter in colour and have more distinct stripes. Both sexes have white markings on their faces, legs and flanks.
Male nyalas have spiral horns which are shed and regrown annually. Nyala are herbivores that feed on leaves, fruits, flowers and twigs. They are primarily active at dawn and dusk, tending to live alone or in small groups. Females and juveniles, however, may form larger herds. The species uses its striped patterning for camouflage in shaded vegetation.
7. Numbat
Answer: Striped
The numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is a small marsupial native to south-western Australia. It has a reddish-brown coat with distinctive horizontal white stripes across its back that remain visible throughout its life. These diurnal animals feed almost exclusively on termites, using their long, sticky tongues to extract them from logs and soil.
Adult numbats have a body length of about 35-45 cm (14 to 16 inches), with a bushy tail roughly the same length. They are solitary animals and do not carry their young in a permanent pouch. Instead, the young temporarily attach themselves to their mother's underbelly for protection. Once widespread, the species is now restricted to protected reserves due to habitat loss and predation by introduced species such as foxes and feral cats.
8. Malayan Tapir
Answer: Striped
The Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus) is a large mammal that inhabits the rainforests of Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra. It has a distinctive black-and-white coat with a black front and back separated by a broad white or light grey midsection. This colouring provides camouflage in the dappled light of the forest.
Malayan tapirs are herbivores that feed on leaves, twigs, fruits and aquatic plants. They are generally solitary and are most active at night, using dense vegetation for cover during the day. Tapirs have a prehensile snout which they use to grasp vegetation. They are also capable swimmers and often enter rivers and swamps to feed or evade predators. The species is considered endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
9. Eastern Chipmunk
Answer: Striped
The eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus) is a small rodent found in eastern North America. It inhabits forests, scrubland and suburban areas. It has a reddish-brown coat with nine stripes - five dark and four light - running along its back from head to tail. These stripes remain distinct throughout its life.
Eastern chipmunks are omnivorous, feeding on nuts, seeds, fruits, insects and small vertebrates. They are primarily solitary, with each individual maintaining its own burrow system comprising multiple chambers for nesting, storing food and disposing of waste. Chipmunks are active during the day and communicate through vocalisations and tail movements. They enter periods of torpor in winter, but do not hibernate continuously.
10. Lionfish
Answer: Striped
The lionfish (Pterois volitans) is a species of marine fish that is native to the Indo-Pacific region. It inhabits coral reefs and rocky crevices. It is characterised by alternating light and dark vertical bands on its body and fins, which remain visible throughout its life.
Lionfish are carnivorous and feed on small fish, crustaceans and invertebrates. They use their long, fan-like pectoral fins to corner prey before striking. They are venomous, with spines along their dorsal, pelvic and anal fins that can deliver a painful sting to predators or humans. This species has been introduced to the western Atlantic and the Caribbean, where it has become invasive due to its rapid rate of reproduction and the absence of natural predators.
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