Slate-gray coloration, females larger than males, adapted for maneuvering through dense forests; endemic to Haida Gwaii.
1. Quagga:
Quagga (Credit: Bernard DUPONT 2016 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Taxonomy: The Quagga (Equus quagga) is a subspecies of the Plains Zebra (Equus zebra). It was once found in South Africa but became extinct in the late 19th century.
Features: Quaggas were characterized by a unique coat pattern. Unlike typical zebras, they had stripes only on their head, neck, and front part of their body, while the rest resembled a horse with a brownish hue.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Originally inhabited the grassy plains of South Africa, particularly in the Karoo region. The last wild Quagga was seen in the late 1870s, and the species went extinct due to hunting and habitat loss. Conservation efforts are being made to breed animals with similar characteristics in an attempt to “resurrect” the Quagga through selective breeding.
Taxonomy: The Quokka (Setonix brachyurus) is a small herbivorous marsupial belonging to the macropod family, which also includes kangaroos and wallabies. It is native to Australia, specifically found in southwestern parts.
Features: Quokkas are known for their friendly and approachable demeanor, often referred to as the “happiest animal on Earth.” They have a compact build, round face, and a short tail. Their fur is coarse, and they are generally about the size of a domestic cat.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Found in a variety of habitats, from dense forests to scrublands, but they are most concentrated on Rottnest Island off the coast of Western Australia.
3. Quoll:
Quoll (Credit: Michael J Fromholtz 2011 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Taxonomy: Quolls are carnivorous marsupials belonging to the Dasyuridae family. There are several species, such as the Eastern Quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus) and Western Quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii).
Features: Quolls are characterized by a slender body, pointed snout, and a prehensile tail. They have distinctive spotted fur, and their size varies among species.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Quolls inhabit a range of environments, including forests, heathlands, and grasslands. They are found in different parts of Australia, with specific species occupying specific regions.
4. Qinling Panda:
Taxonomy: The Qinling Panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca qinlingensis) is a subspecies of the Giant Panda. It is named after the Qinling Mountains in China.
Features: Similar to other Giant Pandas, the Qinling Panda has a distinctive black-and-white coat with black fur around its eyes and ears. They have a large head, powerful jaws, and a unique thumb-like structure for handling bamboo.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Endemic to the Qinling Mountains in central China, they reside in dense bamboo forests at higher elevations.
5. Quail:
Taxonomy: Quail is a collective term for various species of small to medium-sized game birds belonging to the family Phasianidae. Different quail species exist worldwide.
Features: Quails are characterized by their compact size, plump bodies, and short tails. They often have mottled or camouflaged plumage, allowing them to blend into their surroundings.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Quails are found in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, and agricultural areas. They have a broad global distribution, with different species inhabiting different regions.
6. Quetzal:
Quetzal (Credit: Francesco Veronesi 2016 (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Taxonomy: The Quetzal is a group of colorful birds primarily found in Central America. The most famous is the Resplendent Quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno).
Features: Resplendent Quetzals are known for their vibrant green and red plumage, with long, iridescent tail feathers. Males often have striking elongated tail feathers, contributing to their majestic appearance.
Habitat/Geographic Region: They inhabit cloud forests in Central America, including regions in Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Panama.
7. Quelea (Red-Billed):
Taxonomy: The Red-Billed Quelea (Quelea quelea) is a small passerine bird belonging to the weaver family.
Features: These birds are small with a predominantly brown plumage. The males develop bright red bills during the breeding season.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Widely distributed across sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in savannas and grasslands. They are known for forming enormous flocks, often considered agricultural pests due to their large numbers.
8. Queen Snake:
Queen Snake (Credit: Peter Paplanus 2022 (CC BY 2.0)
Taxonomy: The Queen Snake (Regina septemvittata) is a non-venomous aquatic snake native to North America.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Found in clear, flowing streams in the eastern United States, ranging from New York to Georgia.
9. Queen Angelfish:
Queensland Grouper (Credit: Wallpaper Flare 2024)
Taxonomy: The Queen Angelfish (Holacanthus ciliaris) is a species of brightly colored marine angelfish.
Features: Queen Angelfish display vibrant colors, including blues, yellows, and greens. They have a circular body with a trailing “crown” above the eyes.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Native to the warm coral reefs of the western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. They prefer habitats with coral formations.
10. Quahog (Hard Clam):
Taxonomy: The Quahog, also known as the Hard Clam, belongs to the species Mercenaria mercenaria.
Features: Quahogs have a hard, round shell with concentric rings. Their coloration varies, but they are commonly gray or brownish. They are filter feeders, using a siphon to draw in water and filter out plankton.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Found along the Atlantic coast of North America, from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico, in sandy or muddy substrates.
11. Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly:
Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing Butterfly (Credit: Simon Speed 2010)
Taxonomy: Queen Alexandra’s Birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae) is a large and striking butterfly native to Papua New Guinea.
Features: It is known for its impressive wingspan, with females having larger wings than males. The wings are adorned with vibrant colors, including green, blue, and yellow.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Restricted to the Oro Province in eastern Papua New Guinea, primarily inhabiting rainforests.
12. Queensland Grouper:
Taxonomy: The Queensland Grouper (Epinephelus lanceolatus), also known as the Giant Grouper, is a large fish belonging to the Serranidae family.
Features: These groupers have a robust body, brownish-gray coloration, and a distinctive pattern of small black spots on their body. They can grow to impressive sizes.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Found in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Great Barrier Reef and northern Australia, inhabiting coral reefs and rocky areas.
13. Queen Conch:
Taxonomy: The Queen Conch (Strombus gigas) is a large marine gastropod mollusk.
Features: Recognizable by its large, spiral-shaped shell with a pink or orange interior. The soft body has a muscular foot and a long, narrow eyestalk.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Found in warm waters of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, typically in seagrass beds and sandy areas.
14. Queen Triggerfish:
Taxonomy: The Queen Triggerfish (Balistes vetula) is a brightly colored, tropical marine fish.
Features: Distinctive for its vibrant colors, including blue, green, and yellow. It has a unique trigger-like spine on its dorsal fin.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Native to the Western Atlantic Ocean, including the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It inhabits coral reefs and rocky areas.
15. Queen Parrotfish:
Queen Parrotfish (Credit: Derek Keats 2011 (CC BY 2.0)
Taxonomy: The Queen Parrotfish (Scarus vetula) is a species of parrotfish found in tropical waters.
Features: Exhibits vibrant colors, with a green body and a pink or yellow spot on the head. Like other parrotfish, it has a beak-like mouth and scales that resemble parrot feathers.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Inhabits coral reefs and rocky areas in the Western Atlantic, including the Caribbean Sea.
16. Quince Monitor:
Quince Monitor (Credit: Jean Ogden Just Chaos Photography 2023 (CC BY 2.0)
Taxonomy: The Quince Monitor (Varanus melinus), also known as the Blue-Spotted Tree Monitor, is a lizard species belonging to the Varanidae family.
Features: Recognizable by its striking blue and black coloration with yellow or greenish spots. It has a slender body and prehensile tail, adapted for climbing.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Native to the tropical rainforests of Indonesia, particularly on the island of Sumatra.
17. Quillback:
Taxonomy: The Quillback (Carpiodes cyprinus) is a species of freshwater fish belonging to the sucker family (Catostomidae).
Features: Named for the distinctive backward-facing tubercles or “quills” on its dorsal fin. It has a streamlined body and is primarily silver in color.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Found in North America, particularly in rivers and streams of the Great Lakes and Mississippi River basin.
18. Queensland Lungfish:
Taxonomy: The Queensland Lungfish (Neoceratodus forsteri) is an ancient fish species that is sometimes referred to as a “living fossil.”
Features: It has a long, eel-like body, a single lung for breathing air, and distinctive paired lobed fins. It can reach impressive sizes.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Endemic to rivers and waterways in Queensland, Australia. Found in slow-moving or still freshwater habitats.
Taxonomy: The Quirky Salamander (scientific name varies by species) is a diverse group of amphibians with unique characteristics, found in various parts of the world.
Features: Salamanders within this group may have distinct coloration, patterns, or behaviors that set them apart. Sizes and features vary among species.
Habitat/Geographic Region: The Quirky Salamander can be found in different habitats, including forests, wetlands, and sometimes urban areas, depending on the specific species.
20. Queen Charlotte Goshawk:
Taxonomy: The Queen Charlotte Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis laingi) is a subspecies of the Northern Goshawk.
Features: These goshawks have a slate-gray coloration, with females being larger than males. They have short, broad wings and a long tail, adapted for maneuvering through dense forests.
Habitat/Geographic Region: Endemic to the Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) off the coast of British Columbia, Canada. They inhabit temperate rainforests and coniferous forests.
