National Animals Trivia Quiz

The giraffe and the okapi are in the family Giraffidae. Giraffes are considered to be one species with nine sub-species, although DNA analysis suggests there are multiple species. The Tanzanian national symbol is the Masai giraffe (Giraffa tippelskirchi (if considered a separate species)), which is native to East Africa including Tanzania.

The Masai giraffe is the tallest of the giraffes and so the tallest land animal in the world, reaching heights of 5.5 metres (18 ft).

Amongst the largest of the wild cats, the Bengal tiger's range extends from India into southwest China through Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan. The discrete populations of Bengal tiger are now considered as forming two clades: the Siberian and Caspian tigers being the northern one and the rest in the southern clade. Malaysia and India also have made the tiger their national animal.

They are mostly solitary animals with any social unit being a female and her cubs. Tigers prefer hunting large ungulates and so domestic livestock can be preyed on where humans have encroached onto tiger territory. Occasionally rhinoceros and elephant fall prey.

The camel is an animal associated with desert countries, so it is not surprising perhaps that Saudi Arabia recognises its historical importance in their society. Camels originated in North America before spreading into Asia through Beringia, a time when there was a land bridge between the continents.

The wild camels in North America were wiped out and most surviving camels are domesticated or feral. There is a small population of wild Bactrian camels (with two humps) in the Gobi Desert. A single-humped Dromedary camel is shown in the image.

The Danes chose the Eurasian red squirrel as a national symbol. This is in a different genus from the three North American red squirrel species. Variation in the Eurasian species has resulted in as many as 40 sub-species being described at one time, although perhaps half that number are now recognised.

The Calabrian black squirrel earned an upgrade to species status in 2017. Another rodent, it is mainly herbivorous and lives in northern European and Siberian coniferous woods, and in broadleaf woods in southern Europe.

The eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) from North America, where introduced, has resulted in a decline in red squirrel populations as the natives are out-competed.

The smallest of the canid species, the fennec fox is native to north African deserts. It is notable for its large ears which help with detecting prey and cooling. It is omnivorous and mostly nocturnal, eating insects, birds, small mammals, fruit, leaves and roots.

It obtains most of its water from what it eats. It is Algeria's national animal and is also the nickname (Les Fennecs) for the national association football team.

Native to sub-Saharan African and with a population in western India, the lion is a large member of the cat family whose range is now much restricted. A social species, living in groups called prides, the males and females differ in appearance from each other. Size, weight and the male's mane are among the obvious differences between the sexes.

The mane is perhaps an indication of suitability for breeding. Thicker manes and higher testosterone levels go together, and injured lions begin to lose their manes.

The mane does not appear to be for neck protection in fights. Both males and females have tufted tails.

There are two species of beaver: Castor fiber is the Eurasian beaver whilst Castor canadensis is the North American one. The latter is a national symbol of Canada. It is the largest rodent in North America, coming after the two capybara species (and possibly the Eurasian beaver) in world rankings.

It has a large wide, flat tail as well as webbed hind feet, as befitting its semi-aquatic nature. It has various other adaptations for underwater life such as nostrils and ears that seal when underwater, a nictating membrane covering the eyes which allows for underwater vision, and lips that close behind the teeth so that it can gnaw underwater.

The vicuņa and its sister species guanaco are the two wild camelid species found in South America. Both live in the Andes with the vicuņa found at higher altitudes. Both are related to the domesticated llama and DNA research suggests the alpaca is probably a domesticated vicuņa.

The wool of the vicuņa was valued by the Inca, who made it unlawful for anyone but royalty to wear garments made from this wool. The animal also appears on the Peruvian coat of arms.

A straight-horned type of antelope, the Arabian or white oryx is native to desert and steppe areas of the Arabian peninsula, although their range probably took in most of the Middle East historically. Hunted to extinction in the wild, the last wild Arabian oryx was reported in 1972. Re-introduced from zoo populations from 1980 saw it becoming the first animal to move from 'extinct in the wild' status to 'vulnerable'. Estimated 2016 populations were 1,220 in the wild with around 6,500 in captivity.

It is the national animal of five countries in the region.

The Komodo dragon is a large reptile growing to 3 metres (10ft) in length and 150 kg (300 lb) in weight. It is endemic to five islands in the Indonesian archipelago of some 17,500 islands. It is an apex predator and its diet consists mostly of introduced ungulates such as deer, pigs and buffalo as well as carrion.

There are also records of people being killed and eaten. Although mating is the norm for the species, some zoo-based females have had offspring through parthenogenesis or asexual reproduction.

Another antelope, the springbok is mostly found in south and southwestern Africa. The scientific name Antidorcas marsupialis basically means 'non-gazelle with a pocket'. There are various features which distinguish the springboks from gazelles, one being a fold of skin from the mid-back to the tail which contains long white hairs (100-120 mm or 4-5 in long).

These are normally hidden beneath tan fur but get erected when the animal is alarmed or excited, to give a flash of white fur. The Afrikaans-derived name springbok is a combination of 'jump' and 'antelope' or 'goat'.

This is perhaps for its pronking behaviour, using a stiff-legged posture repeatedly leaping as much as 2 metres (6 ft 7 in) in the air with the white 'pouch' exposed.

A species or sub-species of domestic cattle, the zebu comes from South Asia. They are also known as indicine cattle or humped cattle, having a fatty hump on their shoulders. They are adapted to tropical temperatures. The main religion in Nepal is Hinduism with the cow being a sacred animal. Achham cattle is a breed native to Nepal, sometimes also called Naumuthe cow. Naumuthe means 'nine fists', reflecting the height of the cow breed which averages 88 cm (34.65 in) at the withers.