Do You Know What All of These Animals Are Called In French?

By: house
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Do You Know What All of These Animals Are Called In French?
Image: Shutterstock

About This Quiz

Oh, la vache! While we might be saying oh my God in English, the French are saying "oh, the cow!" While we are used to lions, tigers, and bears, oh my, the French have their own words for these animals. Do you know what all of these animals are called in French?

French is one of the top 20 languages spoken around the world. While over 75 million people speak it as their first language, there are close to 275 million who speak the language in general. One of the romance languages, French has been derived from Latin. This is why many words in French, Spanish, and Italian look and sound similar. While this holds true for a lot of the dialogue, these languages vary differently with their animals. A "perro" in Spanish is a "chien" in French. If we give you a picture, could you name all the animals by their French name?

Some French animals are easier than others. A hamster is "un hamster" while a salmon is "un saumon." While an alligator is "un alligator," knowing that a snake is "un serpent" is also easy enough! The trouble comes with the other animals. Rather than calling a cow "beef," that word is reserved for an ox. You might think goldfish would have gold in its name, but its actually translated to "a red fish."

Today, we're ditching our cats and dogs and trading them in for their French counterparts. Do you know what all of these animals are called in French? There's only one way to find out!

Hop on this "cheval" of a quiz and gallop away!

Hyena
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Autruche
Python de roche africain
Diable de tasmanie
Hyène
Hyenas are found in Africa and possess a sturdy build. They can weigh between 90 -and190 pounds. They mature at 3 years old with the females being larger than the males. Hyenas can live up to 25 years in the wild and are social animals.

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African Wild Dog
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Chien sauvage d'Afrique
African Wild Dogs are social animals and can be found in packs of 10 to 40. The average lifespan of these creatures is around 11 years in the wild and they are endangered due to hunting. Interestingly, they only have 4 toes on each foot. Each dog has its own unique coat pattern, but they all have the same big round ears.
Léopard
Puma
Ours noir

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Tasman Devil
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Diable de tasmanie
Tasmanian devils were once very common throughout Australia but are now only found on the island of Tasmania. They are vicious beasts that will defend their territory at all costs. Tasmanian devils are actually marsupials, from the same family as kangaroos. They can weigh up to 26 pounds and live for around five years in the wild.
Lion de mer
Léopard
Requin-marteau

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Grizzly Bear
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Autruche
Babouin
Grizzly
The grizzly bear was recently removed from the endangered species list. This bear is territorial and very aggressive. It is an omnivore, eating mostly fish and fruit. The grizzly can grow to 8 feet tall and weigh up to 800 pounds. They have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years in the wild, although few young cubs will actually make it to adult size.
Ours noir

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African Rock Python
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Lion de mer
Python de roche africain
Out of 26 species of pythons, the rock python is known as the most ill-tempered of pythons and they are said to come out of the egg striking. Africa's largest rock python can grow up to 7 meters in length. They have flexible jaws and skin that allows them to eat large prey.
Léopard
Crocodile d'eau salée

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Sea Lion
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Morse
Lion de mer
Sea lions live in every ocean but the Atlantic. When they dive deeper than 225 meters, their lungs collapse - but they reinflate on the way back up to the surface. They are mammals and must breathe air, so they cannot stay under water forever. A group of sea lions in the water is called a raft.
Condor andin
Gorille

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Ostrich
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Python de roche africain
Babouin
Autruche
The ostrich is a flightless bird. It is the largest bird species and can reach a height up to 9 feet and weigh up to 350 pounds. They are fast runners with long legs. They are omnivores, eating mostly grass, succulents and berries, along with the occasional lizard or rodent. They swallow pebbles to help grind the food in their gizzard. Ostrich communal nests hold up to 60 eggs.
Morse

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Caiman
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Cayman
Caiman range in size from the dwarf caiman that is just over a meter long to the black caiman that can reach over 5 meters. The female caiman builds a large nest, which will hold between 10 and 50 eggs. They will hatch in 65 to 104 days.
Ours noir
Requin tigre
Méduse

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Amur Leopard
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Babouin
Léopard
Leopards are similar to lions, but unlike lions, they are graceful and quiet creatures, only making a cough-like call. They hunt by either stalking their prey or ambushing them. Leopards are able to carry very heavy prey and often drag their kills up into the fork of a tree. Unlike cheetahs, leopards have retractable claws.
Ours noir
Requin tigre

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Fur seal
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Requin tigre
Méduse
Otarie
Fur seals have external ears, unlike most seals. They have thick underfur that helps to keep them warm in the cold water. Fur seals are mostly targeted by killer whales and sharks. Pups are eaten by leopard seals. Fur seals can stay out at sea for weeks on end. Female fur seals are known as cows and the males as bulls.
Autruche

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Cougars
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
l'éléphant
Loup
guépard
Puma
The cougar has more than 80 different names, which include mountain lion, puma and panther. A cougar's tail is almost as long as its head and body combined. It can run up to 50 miles per hour. Unlike the lion, the cougar does not roar, but rather it can whistle, purr, scream or squeak to communicate.

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Jaguar
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Alligator
Buffle du Cap
Jaguar
Adult jaguars weigh as much as 210 pounds. Jaguars and leopards are often confused because of their similar coats, but unlike the leopard, the jaguar has a small spot in each of the rosettes on his body. Jaguars are also stockier and more muscular. The jaguar is a threatened species.
Requin-marteau

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Baboon
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Morse
Babouin
Baboons have a lifespan of 15 to 30 years in the wild and can grow up to 80 pounds. They are the most identifiable of all the monkey types because of the tufts of hair on either side of their faces, as well as their large hairless bottoms. Baboons are omnivores and eat fruits, seeds, fish and insects. Although they sleep in trees, they spend most of their life on the ground, roaming around.
Ours polaire
Loup

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Hammer Head Shark
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Condor andin
Python de roche africain
Autruche
Requin-marteau
The hammerhead shark is an endangered species. Its lifespan is between 25 and 35 years and it can weigh up to 600 pounds. This shark has a smooth skin with very wide-set eyes on a head that looks like a hammer.

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Snow Leopard
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Babouin
Léopard des neiges
The snow leopard is an endangered species, due to poaching and climate change. They are found in high mountains like the Himalayas and other central Asian areas. They have a thick fur covering their bodies to help keep them warm. The snow leopard's wide paws function as snowshoes.
Crocodile d'eau salée
Gorille

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Black Bear
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Ours noir
Although they're known as black bears, these animals can range in color from black, dark brown, tan, and even white. They are omnivores and eat mostly fruits, nuts and rodents. TBlack bears are nocturnal and spend most of their time looking for food. They can weigh as much as 240 pounds and reach heights of up to 7 feet. Black Bears have shorter legs and claws than other bear species, making it easier for them to climb trees to escape from danger.
Ours polaire
Chimpanzé
guépard

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Salt Water Crocodile
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Ours noir
Crocodile d'eau salée
They can live up to 70 years in the wild with males reaching 17 feet in length and weighing up to 2,300 pounds. They are good swimmers and often swim far out to sea. Saltwater crocodiles are carnivores and opportunistic hunters, lurking in murky water, waiting on prey. They mostly prey on water buffalo, monkeys, wild boar and sometimes even sharks.
Le phoque léopard
Anaconda vert

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Walrus
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Grand requin blanc
Tigre de Sibérie
Buffle du Cap
Morse
The walrus is a carnivore that eats a variety, including shellfish, worms, and snails. They can live up to 40 years and weigh up to 2,200 pounds. They only have one pup at a time who will stay with them for 2 years. They have two big front tusks that can grow up to 39 inches long. Walrus can be found in the cold Arctic waters.

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Tiger Shark
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Anaconda vert
Alligator
Requin tigre
They have a smooth skin with black stripes when young, although most will lose the stripes when they get older. Tiger sharks are carnivores and hunt everything in the water, as well as other sharks. Tiger sharks are the most aggressive of all sharks and most dangerous when in contact with humans. Tiger sharks can live up to 40 years.
Morse

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Andes Condor
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Ours noir
Condor andin
These are the biggest birds that are able to fly. They are relatives of storks but part of the vulture family. Andean condors have a lifespan of up to 50 years and weigh up to 33 pounds. Andean condors communicate through hisses, clicks and grunts.
Requin tigre de sable
Veuve noire

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Rhinoceros
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Rhinocéros
Rhinoceros, also known as rhino, have hard thick skin and two large horns. They are herbivores and eat grass, berries and leaves. They are an endangered species as they are poached for their horns, used for medicinal purposes in the Far East. Rhinos are aggressive and will charge towards predators if threatened. They can live to 40 years old and are very solitary animals.
Buffle du Cap
Anaconda vert
Requin taureau

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Eastern Lowland Gorilla
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Rhinocéros
Gorille
Gorillas are a threatened species because of deforestation and poaching for their meat. Despite their size, Gorillas are not aggressive and will only attack when feeling threatened. Gorillas are herbivores and eat berries, fruits, and flowers. They grow up to nearly 6 feet tall and can weigh up to 350 pounds.
Méduse
Roi cobra

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Cape Buffalo
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Buffle du Cap
The Cape buffalo, an herbivore that mainly eats grass, can weigh up to 1,300 pounds. It is a herd animal and will rarely be seen on its own. The Cape buffalo has a shoulder hump and large curled horns. This animal is not the same as the water buffalo found in Asia as it cannot be domesticated. In fact, they can be quite dangerous. Cape Buffalo live up to 20 years in the wild.
Casoar
guépard
Serpent à sonnette

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Nile Crocodile
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Requin tigre
Requin tigre de sable
Le phoque léopard
Crocodile du Nil
The Nile Crocodile is the second largest reptile on the planet. They can grow up to 14 feet in length and weigh close to 1,200 pounds. Their diet consists mostly of fish, but they will attack anything that is unlucky enough to cross their path. These crocodiles attack their prey and then quickly pull it under the water, drowning their victim.

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Leopard Seal
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Gorille
Le phoque léopard
The leopard seal is a carnivore, eating fish, squid and sometimes even penguins. The females are much larger than the males, growing up to 11 feet in length and weighing up to 840 pounds. The Leopard Seal is a threatened species due to poaching. It can have a lifespan of around 15 years in the wild.
Veuve noire
Tigre de Sibérie

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Alligator
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Gavial
Requin tigre de sable
Alligator
Alligators are mainly found in the southern U.S. and China. The are carnivores and eat fish, turtles, and snakes. Interestingly, alligators have two sets of eyelids, plus a "third eyelid" membrane. Females will lay up to 50 eggs in the spring and they will hatch about two months later. Alligators can live for up to 50 years in the wild.
Dragon de Komodo

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Sand Tiger Shark
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Requin tigre de sable
The sand tiger shark looks a lot scarier than it actually is. With its jagged teeth protruding in all directions, even when the mouth is closed, one would expect it to be aggressive. However, it is very docile and will only attack to defend itself. They live up to 17 years, measuring up to 10 feet and weighing over 350 pounds.
Buffle du Cap
Le phoque léopard
Veuve noire

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Lion
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Tigre du Bengale
Rhinocéros
Lion
Lions live in small groups known as prides. Male lions are very distinctive, with long, thick manes. These cats live up to 14 years in the wild, weighing up to 420 pounds. The average litter size is between 3 and 6 cubs. These cubs will spend most of the day playing, which helps them prepare to hunt and fight when they are older.
l'éléphant

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Jellyfish
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Loup
Ours polaire
l'éléphant
Méduse
Jellyfish are boneless animals that float in the ocean. They can be a number of different colors from white, pink, yellow, green, purple, orange, red and blue. The body of a jellyfish is mainly water, and a skin that surrounds it is not very thick. They do not have a very long lifespan and will live to about one year maximum.

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Green Anaconda
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Anaconda vert
The green anaconda's venom is not poisonous. This snake is part of the constrictor family and will kill its prey by crushing and suffocating it. They eat mainly fish, turtles, birds, and frogs. Anacondas can grow up to 29 feet long and weigh up to 550 pounds. They will give birth to between 24 and 40 live young at a time. Anacondas like to live alone and will be found near rivers, lakes, and swamps, where they can sail into the murky water when danger is near.
Veuve noire
Le phoque léopard
Requin-marteau

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Scorpion
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Rhinocéros
Scorpio
Scorpions are found worldwide. They are eight-legged arthropods, closely related to spiders. They are identifiable by their big front pincers and curved stinger tail. Scorpions eat spiders, insects and small rodents, which they paralyze by using the stinger at the end of the tail.
Alligator
Veuve noire

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Black Widow Spider
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Veuve noire
The black widow spider is small, but its venom is more dangerous than that of a cobra. Luckily, they mainly feed on insects by trapping them in their web. They will live only 3 years. The black widow has a distinctive black and red shiny body with sharp fangs.
Ours polaire
Loup
guépard

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Bengal Tiger
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Le phoque léopard
Scorpio
Tigre du Bengale
The Bengal tiger is an endangered species, due to deforestation and hunting. They are the second largest tiger found in the world after the Siberian tiger. The Bengal tiger is a carnivore and has few natural predators, because of its sheer size and strength. They can weigh as much as 550 pounds.
Casoar

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Bull Shark
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Gavial
Vipère
Carcajou
Requin taureau
The bull shark is one of the more common species of sharks. It is well known for its aggressive, unpredictable behavior. It is also one of the most dangerous towards humans. It can inhabit salt and fresh water and will be found in warmer, shallower coastal waters. They grow up to nearly 12 feet in length and weigh up to 500 pounds, with a lifespan of 16 years in the wild.

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Hippopotamus
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
l'éléphant
Hippopotame
Also known as the hippo, this massive animal can be found in lakes, rivers and wetlands. They are thought of as herbivores, but they have been observed scavenging meat. They grow up to 13 feet long and can weigh a whopping 3.5 tons. The female will give birth to one calf after eight months that weighs nearly 100 pounds.
Casoar
Requin tigre de sable

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King Cobra
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Tigre de Sibérie
Roi cobra
The king cobra can grow up to 18 feet and weigh 20 pounds. It is able to stand up and look a full grown human in the face. It is also one of the most venomous snakes on the planet. When it feels threatened it will flare out its hood and make a hissing sound.
Requin tigre de sable
Puma

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Siberian Tiger
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Tigre de Sibérie
The Siberian tiger has thick striped fur that protects it from the snow and cold. The female will give birth to as many as six cubs after three to four months of gestation. Newborn Siberian tiger cubs are born blind and completely helpless.
l'éléphant
Veuve noire
Casoar

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Sumatran Elephant
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Carcajou
Serpent à sonnette
Hippopotame
l'éléphant
Elephants can spend up to 16 hours a day eating. They have big floppy ears, a long trunk and two large tusks. The tusks are ivory, which makes the elephant a very desirable animal for poachers. Elephants can live up to 70 years. They have knee joints but they are not able to jump because of their sheer size and the build of their legs.

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Great White Shark
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Tigre du Bengale
Le phoque léopard
Grand requin blanc
The great white shark grows up to 20 feet and can weigh up to 5,000 pounds. This makes it the world's largest predatory fish. It is known to attack humans, simply by mistaking them for other prey, such as seals. Great whites can live for up to 70 years.
Gorille

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Polar Bear
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Loup
Ours polaire
Polar bears can only be found in and around the Arctic Ocean. They are big with clear white fur, although their skin is actually black underneath. Polar bears are carnivores and eat sea birds, seals and walruses. They are very vulnerable, due to the melting ice caps, and may be extinct in the next 20 to 30 years. Polar bears have a lifespan of 30 years in the wild. Males can weigh over 2,000 pounds
Vipère
Serpent à sonnette

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Chimpanzee
shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Casoar
Loup
Chimpanzé
The chimpanzee is an endangered species. They share 98 % of the same DNA as humans. They are known to walk on both hands and feet but can sometimes stand and walk upright as well. The female will give birth to one infant that will cling to her. The baby will stay with its mother for five years or more.
Mamba noir

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Wolf
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Requin tigre de sable
Loup
The average lifespan of a wolf in the wild is 6 to 8 years. They are pack animals and are led by the alpha male and his alpha female. The female will decide where the den will be. In large packs, there is sometimes a second male that will help to lead, known as the beta male. Wolves communicate with each other through howling.
Veuve noire
Roi cobra

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Cassowary
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Le phoque léopard
Lion
Casoar
Cassowaries cannot fly, but they can run very fast, They can reach speeds of up to 31 miles per hour. They have become very adept at hiding in the forest and are rarely seen by humans. Due to deforestation and natural predators, the cassowary has become a very vulnerable species. The female will lay up to 8 dark colored eggs at a time but few of them hatch, due to predators.
Veuve noire

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Cheetah
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
guépard
The cheetah is slender and long-legged, with semi-retractable claws. Its coat is tan with over 2,000 small round black dots. The Cheetah can cover up to 21 feet in a stride, and easily reach a top speed of 75 miles per hour. In the wild its lifespan is up to 12 years, but the majority will only reach 8 years.
Requin-marteau
Morse
Crocodile du Nil

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Rattle Snake
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Serpent à sonnette
Rattlesnake venom starts digesting prey before it is even eaten. The rattlesnake has a distinctive rattle at the end of its tail, which warns that it is near. This snake has the ability to use as much or as little venom as is necessary. The venom is hemotoxic, which means it attacks tissue and blood cells.
Ours polaire
Loup
Ours noir

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Komodo Dragon
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Condor andin
l'éléphant
Casoar
Dragon de Komodo
Komodo dragons are not only one of the largest lizards, but also among the most aggressive. They are only found on a few islands in Indonesia. These are very big reptiles that can grow up to 10.3 feet in length and weigh as much as 360 pounds. They are carnivores and prey on pigs, deer and water buffalo. They will even eat humans and other Komodo dragons. They live up to 30 years in the wild.

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Black Mamba
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Chimpanzé
Rhinocéros
Mamba noir
The black mamba is a venomous snake - fast and very aggressive when threatened. It is mostly brown, with a lighter underside. The black in its name comes from the color on the inside of its mouth. The black mamba is known to strike over and over again, injecting neuro- and cardio-toxic venom into its prey.
Scorpio

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Wolverine
n/a
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Anaconda vert
Grand requin blanc
Loup
Carcajou
The wolverine is also called a skunk bear, but despite its bear-like looks, it is closely related to the weasel. Like the skunk, the wolverine has a strong smelling musk it uses to warn others to stay away. This animal is a good climber, but it sleeps and gives birth on the ground.

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Gaboon Viper
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Vipère
Gaboon Vipers are found in rain forests and savannas. They are carnivores and eat mostly rodents and birds. They give birth to live young and can have up to 40 at a time. Their venom is cytotoxic which means it destroys cells. Their fangs can grow up to 1.6 inches in length, allowing them to inject venom deep into their prey.
Mamba noir
Scorpio
Patas Monkey

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Gavial
Shutterstock
What is the French name for the animal in this image?
Rhinocéros
Ours noir
Gavial
The gavial (Gharial) is a fish-eating crocodile that is critically endangered. The Gavial has a life span of 40 to 60 years in the wild and can grow up to 15 feet. It is a carnivore and its long thin snout is used to catch fish. They can weigh up to 2,200lbs. Gavials were once found in all the major rivers in India, but now only a limited number remain.
Carcajou

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