How Many of These Incredible Animal Facts Do You Know?

By: Becky
Image: shutterstock

About This Quiz

Are you smarter than a zoologist? Take this quiz to find out.

If you love animals, you've probably spent a lifetime learning about them. Even if you grew up under a rock (like a snake!), you're bound to have picked up a tidbit or two about the animals we share the Earth with. From the number of eyes a butterfly has (monarch butterflies have 12,000!), to the lifespan of an alligator (as long as 100 years), to the surprising animal that can run faster than you (a hippopotamus), animals give us plenty of quiz fodder.

It's difficult to say what it is about animals that intrigues us the most. Is it their amazing antics, their raw beauty, or their sheer example of nature in action? Any way you look at them, animals are fascinating. Every animal has a set of attributes that makes it different from the rest, and we've compiled just a few of them here for you. So, whether you're enthralled by creatures of the land, sea or air, you'll find fun facts and impressive statistics to amaze you in this quiz. You might even learn something you didn't already know.

Put on your thinking cap and let's get started!

What animal is the largest land dweller?

Elephants are the largest land animal. There are two types of elephants: Asian and African.

What creature can see with its eyes closed?

Snakes can see with their eyes closed. Creepy, right?

What animal breeds so fast that in less than two years they can produce over one million offspring?

Rats breed so fast that they can produce over one million offspring in less than two years. That's a lot of rats!

What animal makes the loudest noise?

The blue whale can make the loudest sound of any animal. The noise can be heard almost 500 miles away.

Which of the following animals has no bones?

Sharks do not have bones. Instead, they have skeletons made of cartilage.

What kind of bird can fly backward?

Hummingbirds can fly backward. This is because of their unique wing structure.

True or False: Rhinoceros horns are made of bone.

This is false. Rhinoceros horns are actually made of compacted hair.

Polar bears have _____ skin.

Polar bears actually have black skin. Weird, right?

True or False: The Tasmanian devil is a real animal.

This is true. Tasmanian devils are marsupials found in Australia.

Which type of mosquito is the one that bites?

Male mosquitoes don't bite. Only the females do.

True or false: Cat's whiskers serve no purpose.

Whiskers are not merely cosmetic. Cat whiskers help our feline friends know if they can fit into tight spaces.

In the lion kingdom, who does most of the hunting?

The female lion brings home the bacon for the family. The females are better hunters.

What can't bats do?

Most bats can't walk. Their leg bones are too fragile.

What animal can sleep standing up?

Horses can sleep standing up. They can also sleep lying down. Contrary to popular belief, cows do not sleep while standing.

What critter can live for two years with no food?

A tarantula can live for two years with no food. Guess they don't often starve to death.

What animal uses its tail for balance?

Kangaroos use their tails for balance. Lift their tails off the ground, and they can't jump.

A tooth from what animal can weigh as much as nine pounds?

An elephant's tooth can weigh as much as nine pounds. Did you know elephants are herbivores?

What creature never sleeps?

Ants never sleep. They also do not have lungs.

A parliament is a group of ____.

A group of owls is called a parliament. Makes sense.

What large animal is only an inch long at birth?

Kangaroos are only an inch long at birth. This marsupial finishes growing in its mother's pouch.

True or False: Tigers have striped skin.

This is true. A tiger's skin, as well as its fur, is striped.

What creature can jump 200 times its own height?

Fleas can jump 200 times their own height. This is the equivalent of you jumping as high as the Empire State Building.

What animal's heart beats only nine times per minute?

The whale's heart beats only nine times per minute. It takes a while for all the blood to circulate through that large body.

What animal sleeps with only half of its brain?

Dolphins sleep with only half of their brain at a time. This prevents drowning and helps them to evade predators.

What type of animal has teeth that never stop growing?

Rodent teeth never stop growing. Many domestic rodents need to have their teeth filed or cut to prevent them from overgrowing.

What animal drinks 200 liters of water a day?

Elephants drink 200 liters of water a day. An elephant drinks by sucking up water with its snout and pouring it into its mouth.

What animal has no vocal cords?

Giraffes have no vocal cords. They do make some low frequency sounds, however.

What animal has pink sweat?

A hippopotamus has pink sweat. Technically, this oily substance is not sweat, but it sure looks like it is.

Where are a starfish's eyes?

A starfish has an eye on the end of each arm. Therefore, a starfish has as many eyes as it has arms.

Flamingos are pink because of what food?

Flamingos love to eat shrimp. It is the pink coloring of shrimp that gives flamingos their color.

French poodles originated in what country?

French poodles are not actually French. They originated in Germany.

What animal has blood vessels big enough for a human to fit inside?

Blue whales have huge aortas. They are large enough for a human to fit into.

Which animal makes more vocal sounds - a cat or a dog?

Cats can make more vocal sounds than dogs. Cats can make more than 100 sounds, while dogs make about ten.

What dog can run approximately 45 mph?

Greyhounds run at speeds of up to 45 mph. That's probably why the bus line isn't called Poodle.

What animal is white at birth and develops spots later?

Dalmatians are born without spots. Cruella was very disappointed.

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