What is the fastest animal on the planet?

A. Sailfish
B. Thompson gazelle
C. Cheetah
D. Peregrine falcon

Answer D – peregrine falcon. The sailfish is the fastest fish in the ocean (68 mph) and the cheetah is the fastest on land (70 mph), but the peregrine has been clocked hitting speeds of over 200 mph.

What is the largest animal to have ever lived on the planet?

A. Tyrannosaurus Rex
B. Brontosaurus
C. Blue Whale
D. Argentinosaurus Huinculensis

Answer C – Blue whale. Although there were dinosaurs that reached massive sizes (Argentinosaurus was largest dinosaur at 90 tons), an animal that still lives today has that distinction at 180 tons. Its heart can weigh 2500 pounds (as much as a small car).

How many poisonous snake species are there in the world?

A. 600
B. 1000
C. 2000
D. none

Correct answer D – none. Poison is something that has to be swallowed by an animal to have ill effects (certain toads and fish are poisonous). Venoms are delivered into the blood stream usually through a bite or sting. Venom can be swallowed without any effect. Estimates of the number of snake species that are venomous vary but anywhere between 1 in 4 to 1 in 7 species of snakes are venomous.

Bats are blind, true or false?

False – bats see perfectly well, but in darkness they can emit ultrasonic waves that create a 3-D image of their surroundings.

Owls are wise and live longer than any other bird, true or false?

False – when looking at the intelligence of birds, owls are not anywhere near the top. There are many species of birds that leave the owl in the dust in terms of smarts: robins, blue jays, parrots, crows and ravens are at the top of the class. Certain species of owls can hit 50 years of age, but albatrosses and parrots can live way longer than that.

What is the fastest land animal in North America?

A. Bison
B. Pronghorn antelope
C. Wolf
D. Mountain lion

Answer B – Pronghorn antelope. Until approximately 12,000 years ago, there lived an American cheetah which hunted on the plains where pronghorn antelope still live. Maintaining speeds as fast as its African relative, the pronghorn adapted to try and outrun the American cheetah by hitting speeds of 65 mph.

What is the largest/heaviest bird in the world?

A. Wandering albatross
B. Harpy eagle
C. Wild turkey
D. Ostrich

Answer D – Ostrich. An ostrich can stand 9 feet tall and weigh 350 lbs. An egg can weigh 5 pounds. Due to their large size, they cannot fly but they are one of the fastest animals on the African savanna, clocking in at close to 50 mph. If cornered, their kick is so powerful it could kill a lion.

What is the largest rodent in the world?

A. Tapir
B. Chupacabre
C. Beaver
D. Capybara

Answer D – Capybara. The beaver is the largest rodent in North America with records of animals weighing over 100 pounds. This rivals the capybara which might hit 120 pounds, but on average a big male beaver weighs closer to 40-50 pounds. If you answered chupacabre, you are watching too much television.

The bite from a black widow spider is deadly, true or false?

False – although there have been fatalities from their bite, it is very uncommon for someone to die. Like all venomous animals, they can control their venom gland and often bite as a defense, preferring not to inject any of their precious resource (venom).

A bird’s feathers and the hair on your head are made from the same thing, true or false?

True – Feathers, hair, antlers, hooves and a rhinoceros horn are all made of protein called keratin.