Animal Jeopardy!

Mammals

100

This animal is the only marsupial found in the United States and Canada. They are known to pretend to be dead as a defense mechanism, known as "playing (their name)."

Opossum

200

These rodents, often kept as pets, are native to the Andes mountains. They have such thick and soft fur that they can only bathe in very fine dust. 

Chinchilla

300

These cats, known by many different names, are mostly confined to the western US, but there is a small population native to Florida! 

Puma, cougar, mountain lion, panther

400

There are multiple species of these "little armored ones" living in North America, and most of them always have litters of 4 identical quadruplets. 

Armadillo

500

This animal, featured in a screaming meme, is actually a type of large ground squirrel. 

Marmot

Fish

100

This reef-dwelling fish is probably best know as the main character in Finding Nemo. 

Clown Fish

200

These fish begin life in rivers and streams, swim to the ocean to mature, then return to their original river or stream to reproduce. They are a favorite food of many humans and bears! 

Salmon

300

This fish, most closely related to catfish, is native to swampy South American areas, and hunts other fish by generating shocks from its own body! 

Electric Eel

400

You wouldn't expect it from the little cans in the grocery store, but these popular food fish can reach up to 15 feet in the wild, and are extremely fast predators of other fish! 

Tuna

500

This huge fish (it can reach over 20 feet long!) is best known for being the traditional source of caviar, leading to its current endangered status. 

Sturgeon

Reptiles and Amphibians

100

This reptile is famous for clinging to nearly any surface with its suction cup toes.

Gecko

200

This small, non-venomous snake is named for the crops it's known for protecting. It's also a popular pet due to its easy-going temperament. 

Corn snake

300

This group of frogs is named for where they spend most of their time living. 

Tree frog

400

This animal, the largest native lizard in the US, has a toxic bite, but usually avoids interacting with humans. 

Gila Monster

500

This amphibian spends its entire life in water, unlike other salamanders who eventually mature and move to land. 

Axolotl

Insects and Co.

100

Although this type of insect isn't known for making honey, they are also important pollinators.

Bumblebee

200

These creatures aren't insects. Instead, they are tiny isopods that live on plant matter. 

Pill Bug, Roly Poly, etc.

300

These active spiders can be a variety of shapes and colors, but always move in a specific way, giving them their group name. 

Jumping Spider

400

These insects are busy predators, both as flying adults and aquatic larvae. 

Dragonfly

500

Although there are many different types of this kind of beetle, the best known ones are pests on crops like cotton. 

Weevil 

Birds

100

This bird gets its pink color from the brine shrimp that it eats by filter feeding. 

Flamingo

200

This migratory bird is a very common sight in the US, but is named for a different country. 

Canada Goose

300

Unlike most other birds, these tiny animals are able to hover in place while flying. 

Hummingbird

400

These birds are mostly brown when young, and don't get their iconic white heads for 4-5 years.  

Bald Eagle

500

These wading birds are named for their distinctive beak shape. 

Shoebill or Shoebill Stork