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About This Quiz
As Guy Boas put it in his hilarious poem, "The Vet," "To be a successful and competent vet / Needs a knowledge exceedingly wide! For each of the patients, he's likely to get / Possesses a different inside."ÂÂ
Mr. Boas was indeed onto something; there are literally hundreds of thousands of species on this planet, and almost nobody knows all of them. There are so many that naturalists had to develop whole systems for classifying, recognizing, and distinguishing them. This is called taxonomy, and it's the job of making sure all living things are clearly understood and placed within the tree of life.
Animals are only one branch of the great tree, and that branch splits again into many different sub-branches. Animals are ranked with those that are most like them genetically, those with whom they share a common ancestor, and those with whom they share specific characteristics, such as being warm-blooded or cold-blooded, bearing live young or laying eggs, reproducing sexually or not, and so on.
Among all of these neatly labeled creatures are some animals so weird and wonderful that you'd assume they hailed from mythology? But they're real, and we're here to test whether you can recognize them... from a single shot!
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Which unusual creature is this?
Pangolin
Dragon fish
Saiga Antelope
Glowing sea turtle
Yes, the glowing sea turtle truly glows! It does this by reflecting blue light, then re-emitting it in a different color. Would you like to see one? You'll need a scuba diving license, and a ticket to the Solomon Islands!
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Which unusual creature is this?
Saiga Antelope
Pangolin
Did you know this scaly creature is one of the most hunted in the world? This could be because it one of the most unique and unusual animals in the world. It is the only mammal to be completely covered in scales, and its tongue can be over a foot long!
Electric Blue lobster
Dugong
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Which unusual creature is this?
Axolotl
This creature is also known as the Mexican salamander, and is kept as a pet by some extreme aquarists. If you do take one in, be careful to have it in its own aquarium, as it will eat anything around it!
Hummingbird hawk-moth
Gharial
Sea pig
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Which unusual creature is this?
Tasmanian Devil
Thorny dragon
Dragon fish
This scary-looking fish can be found in any ocean in the world, but it's likely you won't see it, since it lives 5,000 feet below the sea. Did you know it has chlorophyll in its eyes?
Vaquita
By Navinder Singh (By email from Ej Milner-Gulland) [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Which unusual creature is this?
Tucuxi dolphin
Sea pig
Saiga Antelope
The Saiga antelope is critically endangered. Why? With the availability of off-road vehicles, poachers now have an easier time finding this rare animal.
Hummingbird hawk-moth
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Which unusual creature is this?
Electric blue crayfish
'Electric' is the perfect way to describe this crayfish's color. It lives in the waters around Florida, and also can be kept as a pet in an aquarium!
Pink fairy armadillo
Tasmanian devil
Thorny dragon
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Which unusual creature is this?
Sei Whale
Babirusa
Dugong
Why the long face dugong? It could be scheming about how to get away from its predator, the shark, or thinking about what sea grass it's going to munch on for dinner!
Hummingbird hawk-moth
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Which unusual creature is this?
Pacu
Sei Whale
Vaquita
Arowana
This bony fish lives in freshwater only, and is unique in looks and in luck! This fish is considered to bring good luck. Catch one and see if you win the lottery!
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Which unusual creature is this?
Thorny dragon
Long horned orb weaver spider
This spider is definitely distinct from all other spiders with its two long spines protruding from its small body. The spines are thought to be used to look more intimidating to potential predators.
Panda loach
Brazilian tapir
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Which unusual creature is this?
Brazilian tapir
Sun fish
Camouflage poison dart frog
Gharial
Don't mess with this crocodile; it loves to eat and can be up to 550 pounds! Its thin, long snout gives it the ability to be a sneaky predator because it can swing its head totally sideways to quickly catch another animal.
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Which unusual creature is this?
Gerenuk
Venezuelan poodle moth
Sun fish
Hummingbird hawk-moth
This small, flying critter looks like a very interesting cross between a butterfly, moth and hummingbird. It can be found in parts of North Africa and Southern Europe.
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Which unusual creature is this?
Hummingbird hawk-moth
Umbonia spinosa
This creature is also known as the 'thorn bug,' probably due to the large cone-like thorn shape of its back. Did you notice how close together its eyes are?
Neon tetra
Spotted puffer
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Which unusual creature is this?
Pacu
Red striped rainbow fish
Sun fish
Elephant nose fish
This fish's distinct facial features really do make it look like it has an elephant trunk! It comes from the Niger River in western Africa, and the 'nose' is actually a part of its mouth.
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Which unusual creature is this?
Lowland streaked tenrec
This fuzzy little critter looks like a large, fluffy bumble bee! Did you know that tenrecs are only found in Madagascar?
Brazilian tapir
Venezuelan poodle moth
Tasmanian devil
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Which unusual creature is this?
Sea pig
Peppered cory
Goblin shark
Now that's a big nose! This frightening-looking shark is as fierce as it looks. It can push its jaw out of its mouth to surprise attack prey!
Neon tetra
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Which unusual creature is this?
Vaquita
Shoebill
New Guinea tigerfish
The NGT is found in estuaries in New Guinea and in some rivers near the Gulf of Papua. Its distinct black and yellow stripes also make it a popular aquarium pet.
Panda loach
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Which unusual creature is this?
Babirusa
Glofish
These small, aquarium fish come in flamboyantly bright colors. They take in light, and then re-transmit it, giving them the glow effect.
Giant isopod
Moonlight Gourami
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Which unusual creature is this?
Baid's beaked whale
These whales are elusive creatures, and humans do not know too much about them. This could be because they live almost 1,000 feet below sea level.
Blue parrotfish
Okapi
Hummingbird hawk-moth
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Which unusual creature is this?
Camouflage poison dart frog
Panda loach
Tucuxi dolphin
Narwhal
This unusual looking whale is known for the long, thin tusk protruding from its face. Did you know the tusk is actually a tooth?
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Which unusual creature is this?
Peppered cory
Bearded seal
Can you believe the voice of the bearded seal can be heard from 12 miles away? It's true! This type of seal likes to talk. Word must travel fast among this group!
Sea pig
Mantis shrimp
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Which unusual creature is this?
Melon-headed whale
How does this whale feel being called a melon head? Hard to say, but its head is truly in the shape of a large melon. Their big heads gives them room to fit more teeth than that of any other blackfish!
Honduran white bat
Camouflage poison dart frog
Mantis shrimp
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Which unusual creature is this?
Red lipped batfish
Honduran white bat
Mantis shrimp
This remarkable creature is stunning in color and physique. Did you know they are used as a sushi topping?
Shoebill
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Which unusual creature is this?
Red striped rainbowfish
Babirusa
Red-lipped batfish
This critter can be found in the waters of the Galapagos Islands. It is known for its bright red lips, that really stand out from its pale body. Who put lipstick on that little fish?
Long eared jerboa
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Which unusual creature is this?
Peppered cory
The peppered cory is a type of catfish that can be kept as a pet in aquariums and is found in the wild. Where in the wild can it be found? In the rivers and small bodies of water of Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.
Moonlight Gourami
Gerenuk
Blue parrotfish
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Which unusual creature is this?
Amazonian royal flycatcher
This bird looks like it's ready to party with its bright, festive feathers coming out from its head. Don't worry, they stay safe from predators by living in tree branches that hang over the water, so other animals can't get to them.
Venezuelan poodle moth
Giant isopod
Okapi
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Which unusual creature is this?
Honduran white bat
This tiny bat has a leaf-like nose and likes to rest in leaves. It was discovered over 100 years ago, in 1892.
Camouflage poison dart frog
Gerenuk
Neon tetra
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Which unusual creature is this?
Sea pig
This little piggy crawls around the ocean floor and eats leftovers, just like a regular pig. Their outer body is almost transparent, and they can be found in any ocean.
Umbonia Spinosa
Elephant nose fish
Goblin shark
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Which unusual creature is this?
Goblin shark
Pink fairy armadillo
This cute little armadillo is the smallest of all armadillos. It weighs just a pound and is actually pink. It also goes by the name 'Pichiciego.'
Glofish
Narwhal
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Which unusual creature is this?
Narwhal
Camouflage poison dart frog
New Guinea Tigerfish
Tasmanian devil
Whatever you do, do not disturb one of these unusual creatures. When disturbed, it rages into a devil-like manic!
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Which unusual creature is this?
Thorny dragon
This little creature, also called the thorny devil, can be found in Australia. It is super-spiky and its body color matches its desert surroundings.
Tasmanian devil
Elephant nose fish
Axolotl
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Which unusual creature is this?
Dragon fish
Saiga Antelope
Dugong
Vaquita
This water mammal is going extinct, which is surprising since it was discovered not long ago, in 1958.
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Which unusual creature is this?
Dugong
Sei Whale
Did you know this whale can swim up to 31 miles per hour? It is one of the fastest cetaceans!
Arowana
Axolotl
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Which unusual creature is this?
Babirusa
This strange-looking pig has horns coming out of its mouth and between its eyes. It can be spotted in the Indonesian islands, specifically in swamps and rainforests.
Electric blue lobster
Dragon fish
Gharial
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Which unusual creature is this?
Camouflage poison dart frog
Shoebill
This stocky, crane-like, prehistoric bird is known for being a vicious killer. What's the reason behind this bird looking so unique? Probably because it has evolved over centuries to be able to survive in its isolated habitat in Africa.
Gharial
Lowland streaked tenrec
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Which unusual creature is this?
Long-eared jerboa
This rodent has distinct physical features, with its huge ears, long, skinny tail and kangaroo feet. Where can you find these cuties? You'll have to search in hot deserts in Northern Africa and Asia to find one.
Lowland streaked tenrec
Glofish
New Guinea tigerfish
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Which unusual creature is this?
Goblin shark
Bearded seal
Red lipped batfish
Pacu
Pacus are omnivorous fish that live in South American waters. Their uniqueness comes from their human-looking teeth!
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Which unusual creature is this?
Sun fish
Venezuelan poodle moth
Panda loach
This little fish has the same coloring as a panda, but is much, much smaller. It gets to be 2-3 inches long, while the panda bear can be up to 6 feet long. They do both live in China though!
Giant isopod
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Which unusual creature is this?
Blue parrotfish
Sun fish
The sun fish is also called the mola, and is a super heavy fish. Can you believe it can weigh up to 2,200 pounds? That's a lot of fish!
Giant isopod
Camouflage poison dart frog
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Which unusual creature is this?
Gerenuk
Neon tetra
Okapi
Brazilian tapir
Also known as the anta, this creature is related to the Malayan tapir, Mountain tapir, and rhinoceros. It is a good swimmer, and lives near water.
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Which unusual creature is this?
Spotted puffer
Camouflage poison dart frog
Did you know that this unusual creature eats meat? It's a carnivore that uses its tongue to catch its prey.
Blue parrotfish
Brazilian tapir
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Which unusual creature is this?
Red striped rainbow fish
Panda loach
Babirusa
Venezuelan poodle moth
The Venezuelan poodle moth is true to its name; it looks like a fuzzy insect! Did you know it was just discovered in 2009?
Youtube
Which unusual creature is this?
Narwhal
Vaquita
Giant isopod
The Bathynomus giganteus, or the giant isopod, is the largest of all isopods. It is a sort of vacuum for the bottom of the sea floor, as it is a scavenger that eats whatever falls down. Bodies of whales, fish and any other specimens are what it munches and crunches on!
Sei whale
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Which unusual creature is this?
Camouflage poison dart frog
Moonlight gourami
Gerenuk
This is a very unique looking creature with its thin, long neck, skinny front legs and muscular, powerful back body. It lives in the eastern part of Africa, specifically in dry areas.
Okapi
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Which unusual creature is this?
Moonlight Gourami
The Moonlight Gourami truly glows like a full moon with its pale, iridescent body. It grows to be 5 inches long.
Spotted puffer
Okapi
Sea pig
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Which unusual creature is this?
Giant isopod
Spotted puffer
Neon tetra
These tiny fish grow to be just 4 centimeters long, and are known for their bright, flashy colors. Their life span gets cut in half when they live in an aquarium versus the wild.
Black veil angel fish
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Which unusual creature is this?
Pangolin
Giant isopod
Pink fairy armadillo
Blue parrotfish
The name of this fish describes it exactly, as it has one shade of color ... bright blue! Its face and nose even look like a parrot. A few of them have been found that are up to almost 4 feet long!
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Which unusual creature is this?
Okapi
The okapi would be an interesting sight to see in the Ituri Forest where they hide from humans! This animal looks like a mix between a zebra and a giraffe, with its black and white striped legs and long neck.
Neon Tetra
Blue parrotfish
Brazilian tapir
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Which unusual creature is this?
Brazilian tapir
Spotted puffer
This fishy can be up to half a foot long, and has a puffy white belly. Its back is a vibrant green with black dots.
Neon tetra
Moonlight gourami
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You Got:
/49
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