Use this endangered animals quiz to check your knowledge of species at risk and the basics of conservation. Answer quick questions, get instant results, and learn a few facts along the way. If you want more, try our wildlife quiz, test yourself with an animal trivia quiz, or dive deeper with a primate knowledge quiz.
Which of the following animals is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN?
Giant panda
Blue whale
African grey parrot
Amur leopard
The Amur leopard is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN due to its extremely small wild population and ongoing habitat loss. Conservation programs in Russia and China focus on anti-poaching and habitat protection. Giant pandas are categorized as Vulnerable, African grey parrots as Endangered, and blue whales as Vulnerable. More details at .
What does IUCN stand for?
International Union of Climate and Nature
International Unit for Climate and Nature
International Unit for Conservation of Animals
International Union for Conservation of Nature
IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature, an organization that compiles the Red List assessing species' risk of extinction. It was founded in 1948 and brings together governments, NGOs, scientists, and experts. Their Red List is a critical tool for conservation planning worldwide. Learn more at .
Which of the following is the leading cause of species endangerment worldwide?
Introduced species
Climate change
Habitat loss
Poaching
Habitat loss - driven by deforestation, urbanization, and agriculture - is the primary cause of species becoming endangered. It fragments ecosystems and reduces the available space for wildlife to live and breed. While climate change, poaching, and invasive species also threaten biodiversity, habitat destruction remains the top driver. For more information, see .
Which country is home to the largest wild population of Amur leopards?
North Korea
China
Russia
Mongolia
Russia hosts the largest wild population of Amur leopards, primarily in the Sikhote-Alin mountain region. Cross-border individuals are also found in parts of northeast China, but the largest numbers remain in Russia. Conservation efforts there have helped stabilize the population in recent years. See more at .
Which of these bird species is classified as Extinct in the Wild?
Ivory-billed woodpecker
Passenger pigeon
Hawaiian crow (Alal?)
Dodo
The Hawaiian crow, or Alal?, is listed as Extinct in the Wild, with surviving individuals only in captivity. Reintroduction programs are ongoing to restore wild populations. The dodo and passenger pigeon are fully extinct, while the ivory-billed woodpecker is Critically Endangered or possibly extinct. More at .
The Javan rhinoceros is native to which island?
Sumatra
Sulawesi
Borneo
Java
The Javan rhinoceros is native to the island of Java in Indonesia, with the only known wild population residing in Ujung Kulon National Park. It is one of the rarest large mammals in the world. Extensive conservation efforts protect its critically endangered population. More information at .
Which species was brought back from the brink of extinction through a captive breeding program and is now considered Near Threatened?
African wild dog
California condor
Bengal tiger
Mountain gorilla
The California condor was once reduced to just 22 individuals. A successful captive breeding and release program has increased numbers, leading to its reclassification to Near Threatened. Tigers and gorillas remain at lower population levels, and African wild dogs face ongoing declines. Read more at .
Illegal poaching most directly threatens which of the following species?
Koala
Komodo dragon
Polar bear
African elephant
African elephants are heavily targeted by poachers for their ivory tusks, driving severe population declines. Koalas, polar bears, and Komodo dragons face other threats such as habitat loss and climate change rather than large-scale poaching. International bans aim to curb the ivory trade. See .
Under CITES, species listed in Appendix I are those:
That may become endangered if trade is not regulated
Threatened with extinction requiring strict trade controls
That have recovered from endangerment
Protected in at least one member country
CITES Appendix I includes species threatened with extinction for which international trade is permitted only in exceptional circumstances. Appendix II covers species that may become threatened if trade is not controlled, and Appendix III lists species protected by at least one country. Learn more at .
How many categories are there in the IUCN Red List classification scheme?
10
8
9
7
The IUCN Red List has nine categories: Not Evaluated, Data Deficient, Least Concern, Near Threatened, Vulnerable, Endangered, Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Wild, and Extinct. These classifications help prioritize conservation actions. More at .
What is the approximate wild population size of Sumatran orangutans?
About 15,000
About 50,000
About 100,000
About 5,000
There are roughly 14,000 - 15,000 wild Sumatran orangutans remaining, making them critically endangered. Habitat loss and illegal poaching are the main threats. Conservation organizations work to preserve their rainforest habitat. More details at .
The vaquita, the world's most endangered marine mammal, is primarily threatened by what?
Bycatch in gillnets
Climate change
Oil spills
Ship strikes
Vaquitas are accidentally caught and drown in gillnets used for fishing in the Gulf of California. This bycatch is the leading cause of their decline, with fewer than 20 individuals estimated to remain. Conservation groups are pushing for gillnet bans. Learn more at .
Which animal class has the highest percentage of its species considered threatened on the IUCN Red List?
Birds
Amphibians
Reptiles
Mammals
Amphibians are the most threatened class, with over 40% of species at risk of extinction due to habitat loss, disease (e.g., chytrid fungus), and climate change. This high proportion reflects their sensitivity to environmental changes. More at .
Which disease has caused catastrophic declines in amphibian populations worldwide?
Rabies
Avian influenza
White-nose syndrome
Chytridiomycosis
Chytridiomycosis, caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, has led to dramatic amphibian declines and extinctions globally. It infects the skin, disrupting vital functions. Conservationists are researching treatments and disease management strategies. Information at .
Which species ranks highest on the Zoological Society of London's EDGE of Existence program for evolutionary distinctiveness and global endangerment?
Platypus
Tuatara
Pangolin
Aye-aye
The tuatara, a reptile endemic to New Zealand, tops the EDGE list due to its unique evolutionary lineage and Critical Endangered status. It is the only surviving member of its order (Rhynchocephalia). The EDGE program prioritizes species with few close relatives and high extinction risk. Learn more at .
0
{"name":"Which of the following animals is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN?", "url":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/QPREVIEW","txt":"Which of the following animals is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN?, What does IUCN stand for?, Which of the following is the leading cause of species endangerment worldwide?","img":"https://www.quiz-maker.com/3012/images/ogquiz.png"}
Score1/15
Easy1/5
Medium0/5
Hard0/4
Expert0/1
AI Study Notes
Email these to me
You can bookmark this page to review your notes in future, or fill out the email box below to email them to yourself.
Study Outcomes
Identify endangered species -
Recognize and name various animals at risk of extinction based on their conservation status and population trends.
Explain threats to wildlife -
Describe major factors such as habitat loss, poaching, and climate change that contribute to animal endangerment.
Analyze conservation strategies -
Assess different wildlife conservation efforts and their effectiveness in protecting vulnerable species.
Recall extinction trivia -
Memorize and retrieve interesting facts about endangered animals as presented in the quiz.
Differentiate vulnerability categories -
Distinguish between various IUCN Red List classifications and what they mean for species survival.
Evaluate biodiversity importance -
Understand the critical role of maintaining species diversity for ecosystem health and stability.
Cheat Sheet
IUCN Red List Categories -
The IUCN Red List classifies species into Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT) and Least Concern (LC) based on population size, decline rate, and geographic range (IUCN.org). Use the mnemonic "Cats Eat Very Nice Leaves" to recall the order quickly when tackling endangered species trivia questions. This framework underpins most wildlife conservation assessments worldwide.
Primary Drivers of Species Decline (HIPPO) -
Recognize the main threats - Habitat loss, Invasive species, Pollution, human Population growth and Overharvesting - summarized by the HIPPO mnemonic from E.O. Wilson's conservation research. For example, overfishing (Overharvesting) has driven many marine species toward extinction, while habitat fragmentation (Habitat loss) imperils terrestrial mammals. Grasping HIPPO helps you pinpoint causes in any wildlife conservation quiz scenario.
Species-Area Relationship Formula -
The Species-Area Relationship (SAR) S = cA^z predicts how many species (S) an area (A) can support, where c and z are constants derived empirically (Gotelli & Colwell, 2001). With a typical z ≈ 0.25, a 50% loss in habitat often forecasts a ~15% drop in species richness. Understanding SAR equips you to estimate extinction risks from deforestation or land-use change questions.
Captive Breeding & Reintroduction Case Study -
The California condor program (USFWS) moved from 22 wild birds in 1987 to over 400 individuals today through captive breeding and careful release protocols. Tracking genetic diversity and employing "head-start" methods (raising chicks away from predators) were key tactics. Reviewing this example sharpens your grasp of practical wildlife conservation quiz examples.
CITES Appendices Overview -
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) lists species in Appendix I (trade prohibited), II (controlled trade) and III (national regulation) to curb exploitation. Tigers, for instance, are Appendix I, making any commercial trade illegal under international law. Memorizing each appendix's trade rules is a quick win for animal extinction trivia.
