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Quizzes > Science

Animal Scientific Name Quiz: Identify Each Species

Quick quiz on animals and their scientific names. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Serge MunozUpdated Aug 28, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art animal silhouettes and Latin names on dark blue background for free animals by scientific name quiz

This scientific name quiz helps you match animals to their Latin names and recall genus and species with quick prompts. Boost your taxonomy skills with binomial nomenclature practice, then explore relationships in an animal phylogeny quiz. Want more ID fun? Try a zoo animals quiz.

Which animal corresponds to the scientific name Panthera leo?
Tiger
Leopard
African Lion
Jaguar
Panthera leo is the binomial nomenclature for the African Lion, a big cat species in the genus Panthera. Lions are known as the second largest big cat after the tiger. Their habitat spans savannas and grasslands in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Canis lupus is the scientific name for which species?
Domestic Dog
Red Fox
Gray Wolf
Coyote
The scientific name Canis lupus refers to the gray wolf, the largest extant member of the Canidae family. Domestic dogs are classified as a subspecies: Canis lupus familiaris. Wolves are apex predators native to wilderness and remote areas of North America and Eurasia.
Felis catus is the Latin name for which animal?
Cougar
Lynx
Bobcat
Domestic Cat
Felis catus is the binomial designation for the domestic cat. It belongs to the family Felidae and is one of the most popular pets worldwide. Domestic cats are valued by humans for companionship and for pest control.
The scientific name Bos taurus refers to which common farm animal?
Water Buffalo
Domestic Cattle
Gaur
Yak
Bos taurus is the scientific name for domestic cattle, a large ungulate widely raised for meat, milk, and hides. Cattle are members of the Bovidae family and are one of the earliest domesticated animals. They are distributed globally in many breeds adapted to different environments.
Ursus arctos is the Latin name for which bear species?
Sun Bear
American Black Bear
Brown Bear
Polar Bear
Ursus arctos is the scientific name of the brown bear, a large bear species found across Eurasia and North America. Brown bears include the grizzly bear as a subspecies and have varied diets from omnivorous foraging to fish hunting. Their range and size make them one of the most widely distributed and largest land predators.
Alligator mississippiensis refers to which reptile?
Saltwater Crocodile
Nile Crocodile
American Alligator
Gharial
The scientific name Alligator mississippiensis identifies the American alligator, native to the southeastern United States. It lives in freshwater wetlands, rivers, and swamps and is distinguished from crocodiles by its broader snout. American alligators are apex predators and key species in their ecosystems.
Delphinus delphis is the binomial nomenclature for which marine mammal?
Bottlenose Dolphin
Orca
Common Dolphin
Spinner Dolphin
Delphinus delphis refers to the common dolphin, a species known for its distinctive hourglass coloration and playful nature. These dolphins inhabit temperate and tropical oceans and often appear in large, dynamic pods. They are one of the fastest dolphin species, reaching speeds up to 60 km/h.
Which animal has the scientific name Chelonia mydas?
Loggerhead Sea Turtle
Green Sea Turtle
Hawksbill Sea Turtle
Leatherback Sea Turtle
Chelonia mydas is the scientific name for the green sea turtle, a large sea turtle found in tropical and subtropical seas around the world. They are named for the green color of their body fat and primarily feed on seagrasses. These turtles are listed as endangered due to habitat loss and harvesting.
Hippopotamus amphibius is the Latin designation for which creature?
Pygmy Hippopotamus
Common Hippopotamus
Walrus
Rhinoceros
Hippopotamus amphibius is the scientific name of the common hippopotamus, a large, mostly herbivorous mammal native to sub-Saharan Africa. Hippos spend much of their time in rivers and lakes to keep their bodies cool under the hot African sun. They are considered one of the most aggressive large animals in the world.
Ailuropoda melanoleuca refers to which endangered animal?
Koala
Red Panda
Lesser Panda
Giant Panda
Ailuropoda melanoleuca is the binomial nomenclature for the giant panda, an iconic bear species native to south-central China. Giant pandas are known for their distinctive black-and-white coloring and bamboo-based diet. Conservation efforts have improved their status from 'Endangered' to 'Vulnerable.'
Ornithorhynchus anatinus is the scientific classification for which egg-laying mammal?
Echidna
Platypus
Sea Otter
Anteater
Ornithorhynchus anatinus is the scientific name of the platypus, one of the few monotremes (egg-laying mammals) in existence. Platypuses are native to eastern Australia and Tasmania and have a distinctive duck-like bill. They are also known for their venomous spurs on male hind limbs.
Sphenodon punctatus is the Latin name for which rare reptile?
Komodo Dragon
Gila Monster
Bearded Dragon
Tuatara
Sphenodon punctatus is the scientific name for the tuatara, a reptile species endemic to New Zealand and the only surviving member of the order Rhynchocephalia. Tuataras have unique features such as a parietal eye and a very slow rate of evolution. They are often called 'living fossils' due to their ancient lineage.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Understand Binomial Nomenclature -

    Explain the genus-species format used in animals by scientific name and recognize the conventions behind Latin labels.

  2. Identify Species by Scientific Name -

    Match Latin labels to their corresponding common names, reinforcing your skills in this name that animal quiz.

  3. Recall Common Names from Latin Terms -

    Translate scientific labels into everyday animal names, improving your recall during animal quiz names challenges.

  4. Analyze Etymological Clues -

    Use word roots and linguistic hints within scientific names to deduce the correct animal species.

  5. Apply Zoological Terminology Confidently -

    Leverage your knowledge of Latin nomenclature to tackle diverse puzzles in name this animal quiz formats.

  6. Evaluate and Improve Your Performance -

    Assess your results from the animals by scientific name quiz to identify areas for further study and mastery.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Binomial Nomenclature Foundations -

    First formalized by Carl Linnaeus in 1758, binomial nomenclature assigns each animal a two-part Latin name consisting of a genus and species epithet. For example, Canis lupus identifies the gray wolf with Canis (genus) and lupus (species). This universal system is supported by institutions like the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN).

  2. Genus and Species Formatting -

    Genus names are always capitalized and species epithets lowercase, both italicized, e.g. Panthera leo for the African lion. When handwritten or typed without italics, underline both parts to maintain proper formatting. This rule appears in academic style guides like the CSE Manual for Biological Sciences.

  3. Taxonomic Hierarchy Mnemonic -

    Animals are classified in nested ranks: Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, Family, Genus, Species. Use "Dear King Philip Came Over For Good Soup" to recall the order quickly. This hierarchical structure is detailed in resources such as the Tree of Life Web Project.

  4. Latin Etymology Tips -

    Understanding Latin roots like albus ("white"), niger ("black"), or montanus ("of the mountains") aids in linking names to traits; Ursus arctos horribilis literally means "horrible bear of the north." These linguistic cues are emphasized in university courses on zoological taxonomy. Practice by breaking complex names into familiar Latin or Greek components.

  5. Authority and Abbreviation Conventions -

    After the species name, the author's name and year of description may appear, e.g. Balaenoptera musculus Linnaeus, 1758 for the blue whale. Abbreviations like L. for Linnaeus streamline citations in scientific literature. The ICZN Code outlines these conventions to ensure consistency across zoological publications.

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