Animals · Puzzle #34 · Monday, November 2

Animals: the board

Eight items, eight categories, one place each. Here is the board with every figure and where it comes from, and the best way to place them. Play today's Animals.

The best board

The best board is hidden while some of these items are still in play: they're on a board again within 14 days.

The lineup, figure by figure

Saltwater crocodile
Crocodile that rides ocean currents between islands
Photo: Obtained from Molly Ebersold of the St. Augustine Alligator Farm, Public domain
Its figures are hidden while it's still in play: it's on a board again within 14 days.
Atlantic puffin
"Sea parrot" with a colorful, triangular bill
Photo: Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
Atlantic puffin tops out at 50 mph, so its best fit on this board was Top speed, worth 10.0. Its weakest was Wild in Africa, worth 0.0, since it lives in the sea.
Heavyweight
a typical adult weighs 1.1 lb (0.1) Source: AnAge
Long life
the oldest on record lived 45 years (6.4) Source: AnAge
Wild in Africa
lives in the sea (0.0) Source: Wikipedia
Known worldwide
Wikipedia has an article on it in 78 languages (5.2) Source: Wikipedia language editions (Wikidata)
Top speed
tops out at 50 mph (10.0) Source: Wikipedia
Late bloomer
females can first breed at 4 years old (4.0) Source: Wikipedia
Most looked-up
its Wikipedia article was read 405,984 times in 2025 (4.1) Source: Wikimedia page views
Wild in Asia
lives in the sea (0.0) Source: Wikipedia
Fennec fox
Fox with enormous ears for its head
Photo: Drew Avery, CC BY 2.0
Fennec fox is native to Africa, so its best fit on this board was Wild in Africa, worth 10.0. Its weakest was Wild in Asia, worth 0.0, since it isn't native to Asia.
Heavyweight
a typical adult weighs 2.8 lb (1.5) Source: AnAge
Long life
the oldest on record lived 16 years (2.3) Source: AnAge
Wild in Africa
is native to Africa (10.0) Source: Wikipedia
Known worldwide
Wikipedia has an article on it in 86 languages (5.7) Source: Wikipedia language editions (Wikidata)
Top speed
tops out at 20 mph (4.0) Source: animals.sandiegozoo.org
Late bloomer
females can first breed at 0.8 years old (0.8) Source: Wikipedia
Most looked-up
its Wikipedia article was read 375,774 times in 2025 (3.8) Source: Wikimedia page views
Wild in Asia
isn't native to Asia (0.0) Source: Wikipedia
Elk
Deer whose males bugle in the autumn rut
Photo: Membeth, CC0
Elk is native to Asia, so its best fit on this board was Wild in Asia, worth 10.0. Its weakest was Wild in Africa, worth 0.0, since it isn't native to Africa.
Heavyweight
a typical adult weighs 441 lb (8.8) Source: AnAge
Long life
the oldest on record lived 32 years (4.5) Source: AnAge
Wild in Africa
isn't native to Africa (0.0) Source: Wikipedia
Known worldwide
Wikipedia has an article on it in 81 languages (5.4) Source: Wikipedia language editions (Wikidata)
Top speed
tops out at 30 mph (6.0) Source: pa.gov
Late bloomer
females can first breed at 2.3 years old (2.3) Source: Wikipedia
Most looked-up
its Wikipedia article was read 500,443 times in 2025 (5.0) Source: Wikimedia page views
Wild in Asia
is native to Asia (10.0) Source: Wikipedia
Raccoon
Masked bandit with nimble front paws
Photo: Rhododendrites, CC BY-SA 4.0
Its figures are hidden while it's still in play: it's on a board again within 14 days.
Ostrich
Two-toed bird with a powerful kick
Photo: Yathin S Krishnappa, CC BY-SA 4.0
Ostrich is native to Africa, so its best fit on this board was Wild in Africa, worth 10.0. Its weakest was Wild in Asia, worth 0.0, since it isn't native to Asia.
Heavyweight
a typical adult weighs 245 lb (7.9) Source: AnAge
Long life
the oldest on record lived 50 years (7.1) Source: AnAge
Wild in Africa
is native to Africa (10.0) Source: Wikipedia
Known worldwide
Wikipedia has an article on it in 149 languages (9.9) Source: Wikipedia language editions (Wikidata)
Top speed
tops out at 43 mph (8.6) Source: Wikipedia
Late bloomer
females can first breed at 2.7 years old (2.7) Source: Wikipedia
Most looked-up
its Wikipedia article was read 406,351 times in 2025 (4.1) Source: Wikimedia page views
Wild in Asia
isn't native to Asia (0.0) Source: Wikipedia
Atlantic bluefin tuna
Prized for sushi; a warm-blooded fish
Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author, Public domain
On this board Atlantic bluefin tuna scored best in Heavyweight (9.7): a typical adult weighs 829 lb. Wild in Africa was its weakest fit (0.0): it lives in the sea.
Heavyweight
a typical adult weighs 829 lb (9.7) Source: AnAge
Long life
the oldest on record lived 15 years (2.1) Source: AnAge
Wild in Africa
lives in the sea (0.0) Source: Wikipedia
Known worldwide
Wikipedia has an article on it in 53 languages (3.5) Source: Wikipedia language editions (Wikidata)
Top speed
tops out at 43 mph (8.6) Source: wildlifetrusts.org
Late bloomer
females can first breed at 3.7 years old (3.7) Source: Wikipedia
Most looked-up
its Wikipedia article was read 240,918 times in 2025 (2.4) Source: Wikimedia page views
Wild in Asia
lives in the sea (0.0) Source: Wikipedia
Nile crocodile
Crocodile that ambushes wildebeest at rivers
Photo: Dewet, CC BY-SA 2.0
Its figures are hidden while it's still in play: it's on a board again within 14 days.