You Make the Earth Shake Trivia Quiz

The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the heaviest land animal, though not the tallest. The average shoulder height of an adult male is 3.20 m (10.5 ft), for an average weight of 6,000 kg (13,228 lb ); the largest specimen recorded, however, was nearly 4 m (13 ft) tall, and weighed over 10,000 kg (22,046 lb). The other two extant elephant species, the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) and the African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis), though smaller, are still the second- and third-heaviest land animals.

Elephants belong to the family Elephantidae, which also includes extinct species such as the mammoths. The African bush elephant lives in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, where its numbers are dwindling because of poaching and habitat loss. It has been assessed as Endangered by IUCN (2020).

The largest living mammal is, of course, the blue whale, which is also the largest animal known to have existed. An average individual is over ten times heavier than the heaviest elephant.

The white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) is the largest of the five extant species of rhino, and the fourth-heaviest land mammal after the three elephant species. Its common name refers to its wide mouth ("wijd" in Dutch) made for grazing rather than its colour, which is medium to dark grey or yellowish-brown. The largest of the odd-toed ungulates (order Perissodactyla), this huge creature - sporting two large, pointed horns on its snout - has an average shoulder height of 1.7-1.86 m (5.58-6.10 ft), and an average weight of 2,000-2,300 kg (4,410-5,070 lb). Males are taller and heavier than females, though the latter usually have longer horns.

White rhinos inhabit the savannas and grasslands of sub-Saharan Africa, where they can find abundant food sources. Sadly, they are threatened by poaching and habitat loss, though not as severely as black rhinos. In the IUCN Red List, they are classified as Near Threatened (2020).

The other four species of rhino, though smaller than the white rhino, are all among the world's 20 heaviest land mammals. Some of the extinct ancestors of the family Rhinocerotidae, however, were much larger than any of the living ones: one of them, Paraceratherium, may have been the largest land mammal that ever lived.

As suggested by its specific name, the hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is a semi-aquatic mammal whose five subspecies are found in the rivers, lakes and swamps of sub-Saharan Africa. The largest and heaviest of all even-toed ungulates (order Artiodactyla), it was once thought to be closely related to pigs, but its closest relatives are instead cetaceans. Adult bulls can weigh between 1,500 kg (3,306 lb) and 4,490 kg (9,900 lb), though the heaviest individuals ever recorded were captive rather than wild. On the other hand, these hulking creatures are relatively short, with an average shoulder height of 1.30-1.65 m (4.3-5.4 ft).

With their fearsome canine tusks and powerful build, hippos are among the most dangerous animals in the world because of their aggressive and territorial nature. They are believed to kill hundreds of people every year (though not to eat them, as they are herbivorous); even the other extant member of the family Hippopotamidae, the pygmy hippo (Choeropsis liberiensis, is known to get very aggressive on occasion, and is best left alone.

However, as it is often the case, hippos are far more in danger from humans than the other way round, being threatened by habitat loss and poaching for their ivory. They are listed by IUCN as Vulnerable (2016).

The tallest land animal, as well as the largest extant ruminant, the giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is a graceful creature whose long neck surprisingly contains the same number of vertebrae (seven) as a human neck. Though the ninth-heaviest of mammal species, the giraffe is long-legged and relatively slender-bodied, its considerable weight evenly distributed. Male giraffes are taller than females: a fully-grown male can reach a height of 5.7 m (19 ft), and weigh as much as 2,000 kg (4,400 lb) - though the species' average weight is lower. These majestic animals' striking coat patterns - highly effective as camouflage in savannah woodlands - are unique to each individual.

The nine subspecies of giraffe found in sub-Saharan Africa have a patchy distribution. While the species as a whole is listed as Vulnerable by IUCN (2016), some subspecies are in greater danger of extinction. The family Giraffidae of the order Artiodactyla contains only another member, the much smaller okapi (Okapia johnstoni), which is endemic to the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

A native of South and Southeast Asia, the gaur (Bos gaurus) is also known as the Indian bison, though it is larger than both extant species of bison, the American and the European. This massive, strongly built animal - the largest and heaviest member of the family Bovidae - lives in forested areas that offer plenty of water and forage. Adult bulls have an average shoulder height of 1.88 m (8.2 ft), and can weigh up to 1,500 kg (3,300 lb). A distinctive feature of this species are its white or pale-coloured lower legs, in contrast with the dark brown colour of its coat.

Listed by IUCN as Vulnerable (2016), the gaur has now a very fragmented range, and its numbers are declining. A domesticated form of this huge bovid also exists, called gayal or mithun (Bos frontalis). The gaur's closest relatives are two wild ox species endemic to Southeast Asia, the banteng (Bos javanicus) and the possibly extinct kouprey (Bos sauveli). Though smaller than the gaur, those two bovids (as well as the gayal) are counted among the 30 heaviest land mammals.

The giant eland, or Lord Derby's eland (Taurotragus derbianus), is the largest member of the group of ungulates of the family Bovidae commonly referred to as antelopes. Although it is somewhat larger than the common eland (Taurotragus oryx), the giant eland owes its name to the imposing size of its V-shaped, spiraling horns. A male giant eland can reach a shoulder height of over 1.8 m (5.94 ft), and weigh as much as 1,200 kg (2,650 lb) - though the average weight is generally lower. Like most antelope species, giant elands are mainly savanna dwellers, though they can also be found in forested areas or on the edge of deserts.

Decimated by an outbreak of rinderpest (an infectious viral disease now eradicated) in the mid-1980s, giant eland populations have slightly rebounded, but their range is now severely restricted. Of its two subspecies, one is found in West Africa (mostly Senegal and Mali), and the other in Central-East Africa. Threatened by hunting and habitat destruction due to human encroachment, the giant eland is listed by IUCN as Vulnerable (2016).

The double-humped Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) is the largest member of the Camelidae family of the order Artiodactyla. Though the single-humped dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) is taller at the shoulder, the Bactrian camel is considerably heavier: males can weigh as much as 1,000 kg (2,204 lb), though around 600 kg (1,300 lb) is the average. Shoulder height rarely exceeds 1,80 m (5.9 ft), while average height at the top of the humps is 2.13 m (7 ft). Native to harsh habitats such as the mountainous regions, steppes and cold deserts of Central Asia, Bactrian camels are adapted to extremely variable weather and temperature conditions; they are covered with a shaggy woolen coat (which is shed in the summer), and are able to feed on plants most other herbivores would find inedible.

Most living Bactrian camels are domesticated, though some very small populations of critically endangered wild Bactrian camels (Camelus ferus) still survive in Mongolia and China. Bactrian camels have been used as pack animals for thousands of years, and were essential for travel on the extensive network of roads in Central Asia commonly known as the Silk Road.

The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) mainly lives north of the Arctic Circle, though specimens have been found as far south as Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada, and the Pribilof Islands of Alaska. It has a relatively slender body, covered in fur which appears white or yellowish over black skin, with large paws for walking on ice and a narrow, elongated head. Males, which are much larger than females, may reach a shoulder height of 1.6 m (5.2 ft), and weigh over 800 kg (1,760 lb); individuals weighing over 1,000 kg (2,204 lb), though rare, have been recorded. The Kodiak bear (Ursus arctos middendorffi), a subspecies of the brown bear, can rival the polar bear in weight, though the Kodiak's body tends to be somewhat smaller.

Though its specific name means "maritime" in Latin, the polar bear lives on land during the brief Arctic summer, and on sea ice during the long winters. Unlike most other members of the family Ursidae (which are omnivorous), polar bears are hypercarnivorous, their favourite prey being seals. The plight of this species, whose survival is threatened by climate change, is well-documented: the polar bear is listed by IUCN as Vulnerable (2015).

The largest member of the order Carnivora is a marine mammal, the southern elephant seal (Mirounga leonina), which lives in the Southern Ocean. An adult bull can easily grow as heavy as a hippo or rhinoceros.

The moose (Alces alces) is the largest and heaviest member of the deer family (Cervidae). Of the eight recognized subspecies of moose, the Alaskan moose (Alces alces gigas), also found in western Yukon (Canada), is by far the largest. This enormous animal, the world's largest living deer, can grow to a shoulder height of over 2.1 m (6.9 ft), and weigh over 635 kg (1,400 lb) - though heavier individuals have been recorded. The American bison (Bison bison) is generally much heavier than the moose, but not as tall, as moose are long-legged. Males are distinguished by their huge, palmate antlers, which can reach a spread of over 2 m (79 in). Females are considerably smaller in size, and have no antlers.

Moose live in the subarctic and cooler temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere, favouring areas near water and with plenty of vegetation to feed on. The European subspecies, which is generally smaller than most American and Asian subspecies, is known as elk - a name that in North America designates another large member of the deer family, the wapiti (Cervus canadensis).

Though affected by habitat loss, moose are not threatened with extinction, and in some parts of its range their numbers must be kept in check because these huge creatures can become a serious traffic hazard. IUCN lists moose as Least Concern (2016).

Compared to the other animals featured in this quiz, the Siberian tiger looks very much like a lightweight. However, this magnificent animal - no longer considered a subspecies of the mainland Asian tiger (Panthera tigris tigris), but rather one of its populations - is widely considered the largest wild member of the cat family (Felidae), and one of the largest of all land carnivores. Though no tiger can compete in height with any large ungulate (average shoulder height being around 1 m/3.3 ft), a fully-grown male Siberian tiger can reach a weight of over 300 kg (661 lb), and a total length of 3.3 m (10.8 ft), including a tail that is on average 1 m (3.3 ft) long. Another distinguishing feature of the Siberian tiger that contributes to its imposing appearance is its large, powerful head.

Also known as the Amur tiger, the Siberian tiger survives in small numbers (an estimated 500-600 individuals) mainly in the Russian Far East, near the border with China. Tigers as a whole are classified as Endangered by IUCN (2021). While Bengal tigers are the most numerous, the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sondaica) and the other populations of Panthera tigris tigris (including the Siberian tiger) are critically endangered.

The largest member of the cat family is actually the liger, the offspring of a male lion and a female tiger: a specimen aptly named Hercules - still living at the time of writing - weighs a whopping 418.2 kg (922 lb). However, these animals, and other big cat hybrids of equally awe-inspiring size, were all born in captivity.