The German language is (in)famously known for being very productive when it comes to inventing new words by simply stringing two or more existing ones together. For example, in German a vacuum cleaner is simply called “dust sucker” (Staubsauger), a kettle is a “water cooker” (Wasserkocher) and the place where our teeth are anchored is known as “tooth meat” (Zahnfleisch). Logical, isn’t it?

Also when it comes to the world of animals, German has a lot of funny combinations. A bat is a “fluttering mouse” (Fledermaus), a sloth is known as “lazy animal” (Faultier) and so on. Now you can check your own knowledge of funny German animal names with the following quiz.

Ready? Let’s get quizzical!



1. Got some ink? der Truthahn (turkey)

das Seepferdchen (seahorse)

der Tintenfisch (octopus)







2. It’s laundry time! der Eisbär (polar bear)

der Waschbär (racoon)

der Braunbrär (brown bear)







3. The Master of Self-Defense der Grasfrosch (grass frog)

die Schildkröte (turtle)

die Gemeine Kröte (common toad)







4. Who’s roaming the underwater pastures? die Seekuh (manatee)

das Seepferdchen (seahorse)

der Seehund (seal)







5. Are you clucking at me? der Pfau (peacock)

der Truthahn (turkey)

der Spatz (sparrow)





6. Masters of Currents das Seepferdchen (seahorse)

der Seehund (seal)

das Flusspferd (hippopotamus)







7. Fidos of the Seven Seas das Seepferdchen (seahorse)

die Seekuh (manatee)

der Seehund (seal)







8. Here’s a difficult one der Büffel (buffalo)

das Eichhörnchen (squirrel)

das Einhorn (unicorn)





9. Captain Oink das Stachelschwein (porcupine)

das Wildschwein (boar)

das Meerschweinchen (guinea pig)







10. The Slitherer’s New Clothes die Nacktschnecke (slug)

die Hummel (bumblebee)

die Blindschlange (blind snake)





11. Pretty Prickly das Ferkel (baby pig)

das Stachelschwein (porcupine)

das Wildschwein (boar)













