How to Play & Rules
Everything you need to know about the Name 100 Animals Challenge — from basic rules to expert strategies.
Start the ChallengeWhat Is the Challenge?
The Name 100 Animals Challenge is a free online quiz that tests your knowledge of the animal kingdom. Your goal: name 100 animal species — real animals verified by Wikidata's taxonomy database.
Every name you submit is instantly checked against Wikidata's database. The animal must be classified as a species-level taxon within kingdom Animalia. Subspecies (like "Bengal tiger"), breeds (like "Persian cat"), and varieties are not accepted — only true species count.
Both living and extinct animals are accepted, from the mighty blue whale to the long-extinct Tyrannosaurus rex. The clock tracks your time, and you can submit your score to the leaderboard when you finish.
No sign-up required. No downloads. Just open the page and start naming.
The Rules
- Goal
Name 100 animal species — real animals verified by Wikidata taxonomy data.
- How to play
Type an animal name and press Enter or click Add. Each valid species counts toward your total.
- Species only — no subspecies or breeds
Only species-level animals count. Subspecies (e.g., "Bengal tiger"), breeds (e.g., "Persian cat"), and varieties are rejected.
- No duplicates
Each name can only be used once. Duplicates won't count toward your total.
- Timer
The clock starts with your first submission. Try to finish as fast as you can!
How Animal Validation Works
When you submit a name, the challenge sends a query to Wikidata, a free and open knowledge base that powers Wikipedia. Wikidata contains structured taxonomy data about millions of species.
The validation checks two things:
- Is this an animal? The name must match a taxon within kingdom Animalia in Wikidata.
- Is it a species? The entry must have taxon rank = "species" in Wikidata's biological classification. Subspecies, breeds, and varieties are explicitly rejected.
If both conditions are met, the name is accepted. Both living and extinct animals are included — dinosaurs count too!
Tips & Strategies
The key to reaching 100 is to think broadly across the animal kingdom. Here are some categories to get you started:
💡 Pro tip: Start with well-known animals from each category, then drill deeper into groups you know well. Think about pets, farm animals, zoo animals, and wildlife you've seen in documentaries!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to create an account to play?
No! The challenge is completely free and requires no sign-up. Just visit the page and start naming.
Why is "dog" accepted but "German Shepherd" is not?
The challenge accepts species-level animals only. "Dog" (Canis lupus familiaris) is treated as a species in the game, while "German Shepherd" is a breed — a sub-category below the species level. Similarly, "cat" counts but "Persian cat" does not.
Are extinct animals accepted?
Yes! Dinosaurs, dodos, mammoths, and other extinct species are valid answers as long as they are classified as a species in Wikidata. The animal kingdom includes both living and extinct members.
What if an animal I submit is marked invalid?
Invalid names don't count against you — they simply don't add to your total. You can keep trying with different names. The animal might be classified as a subspecies in Wikidata, or it might not be recognized.
Can I use scientific names?
The challenge primarily uses common English names. Try the common name first (e.g., "tiger" not "Panthera tigris"). If the common name doesn't work, you can try the scientific name.
How is the leaderboard ranked?
Players are ranked by completion time — the faster you name 100 animals, the higher you rank. Only times in the top 100 appear on the leaderboard.
Can I replay the challenge?
Absolutely! Use the restart button to clear your progress and try again. Challenge yourself to beat your previous time.
Ready to Test Your Animal Knowledge?
Think you can name 100 animal species? Put your knowledge to the test and see how you rank on the leaderboard.
Start Naming 100 Animals