Lost Legacies: A Quiz on Extinct Species

The animal known for its large, curved tusks that became extinct due to overhunting is the Woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius). The Woolly mammoth was a species of prehistoric elephant that lived during the Pleistocene epoch. It had a thick coat of fur and roamed the northern regions of North America, Europe, and Asia.

The quagga was a subspecies of the plains zebra and is now considered extinct. It was native to South Africa and characterized by a unique and limited striping pattern, mainly on the front part of its body. The last known individual died in captivity in 1883, marking the extinction of this particular zebra subspecies.

The largest land mammal to ever exist is the Paraceratherium. This extinct species of hornless rhinocerotoid is one of the largest terrestrial mammals that has ever lived, living from the early to late Oligocene epoch (34–23 million years ago). The exact size of Paraceratherium is unknown due to the incompleteness of the fossils. However, its weight is estimated to have been about 15 to 20 tonnes (33,000 to 44,000 lb), the shoulder height was about 4.8 metres (15.7 feet), and the length about 7.4 metres (24.3 feet).

The flightless bird endemic to New Zealand was the Moa. The moa were a group of large, extinct, flightless birds that belonged to the ratite group, which also includes ostriches and emus. Moa species varied in size, with some being relatively small and others reaching a height of over 10 feet (3 meters). They were herbivorous and played a significant role in the ecosystems of ancient New Zealand.

The species that was a large marine reptile that lived during the time of the dinosaurs is Plesiosaurus. Plesiosaurs were a group of marine reptiles that existed during the Mesozoic Era alongside the dinosaurs. They had a distinctive body structure with a long neck, small head, and large flippers, making them well-adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. Plesiosaurs were not dinosaurs but were part of a separate group of reptiles known as Sauropterygia.

The plant species that forms the basis for an important fossil fuel is ancient ferns. Fossil fuels, such as coal, are derived from the remains of plants that lived millions of years ago. During the Carboniferous period, which occurred around 360 to 300 million years ago, large forests of ancient ferns and other plant species flourished. Over time, as these plants died and accumulated, they underwent geological processes that transformed them into coal.

The large animal native to Australia that is extinct is the Tasmanian tiger, also known as the Thylacine. The scientific name for this marsupial carnivore is Thylacinus cynocephalus. The Thylacine resembled a large dog with some unique features, such as a stiff tail and abdominal pouch (though males lacked a pouch). Unfortunately, Thylacine is believed to have become extinct in the early 20th century. The last known individual died in captivity in 1936.

The plant species that was a type of flowering tree native to North America but went extinct around 60 million years ago is Liriodendron. Specifically, it is often referred to as Liriodendron tulipifera or the Tulip tree. This tree is known for its distinctive tulip-shaped flowers and broad, flat-topped crown.

The animal species that went extinct around 12,000 years ago and is commonly depicted in prehistoric cave paintings is the Sabertooth tiger, also known as the Smilodon. Sabertooth tigers were large, carnivorous mammals with long, curved canine teeth, and they are often featured in the art of early human civilizations, providing a glimpse into the fauna that coexisted with ancient humans.

The flightless bird endemic to the island of Rodrigues is the Solitaire. The Rodrigues Solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria) was a large, flightless bird in the pigeon family that was native to Rodrigues, a small island in the Indian Ocean. It became extinct in the late 18th century, primarily due to habitat loss and hunting by humans. The introduction of invasive species, such as rats and pigs, also contributed to the decline of the Rodrigues Solitaire.

The plant species with the distinction of being the tallest plant to ever exist on Earth is the Sequoia. Specifically, the tallest trees on Earth are the Coast Redwoods (Sequoia sempervirens) and the Giant Sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum). These majestic trees, native to certain regions of the United States, can reach incredible heights, with some individual trees surpassing 300 feet (91 meters).

The animal species that was a large flightless bird native to the Seychelles is the Rodrigues solitaire (Pezophaps solitaria). The Rodrigues solitaire was a unique, flightless bird that was endemic to the island of Rodrigues, not the Seychelles. It became extinct in the late 18th century, primarily due to habitat loss and hunting by humans.

The animal species that was a small flightless bird endemic to the island of Madagascar is the Elephant bird. Specifically, it is often associated with the genus Aepyornis, and some species within this group were among the largest birds ever to have lived. The Elephant birds were not only flightless but also enormous, with some species reaching considerable sizes.

The plant species famous for its large leaves and often referred to as 'dinosaur food' is Cycads. Cycads are ancient seed plants that have been around for millions of years, coexisting with dinosaurs. They have distinctive, palm-like leaves that can be quite large, and their appearance is often associated with the prehistoric era. Although not the only plants consumed by dinosaurs, cycads are commonly depicted in illustrations and reconstructions of dinosaur habitats, earning them the colloquial term 'dinosaur food.'

The plant species that was a type of coniferous tree that existed during the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods is Araucaria mirabilis. Araucaria mirabilis, commonly known as the Monkey Puzzle tree, is an ancient coniferous tree that has been around since the time of the dinosaurs. This tree is known for its distinctive, sharp, overlapping leaves and is part of the Araucariaceae family.