All questions of Saving the Gharial for Class 8 Exam

How do gharials demonstrate parental care?
  • a)
    Only males care for the young
  • b)
    They abandon their young after hatching
  • c)
    They migrate to different rivers with their young
  • d)
    Mothers dig nests and both parents guard hatchlings
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

Gharials exhibit notable parental care, with mothers digging nests to free hatchlings and both parents guarding their young. This attentive behavior enhances the survival rate of the hatchlings, as they are protected from predators and environmental dangers. Such nurturing is rare among reptiles, making it an interesting aspect of gharial biology.

What does the decline of the gharial species reflect about river health?
  • a)
    Increased biodiversity
  • b)
    Improvement in ecosystem health
  • c)
    Enhanced conservation efforts
  • d)
    Deterioration of river ecosystems
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

The decline of the gharial species is closely linked to the overall health of river ecosystems. As gharials are apex predators, their presence indicates a healthy, functioning ecosystem. Their decline signals serious issues such as pollution, habitat destruction, and unsustainable human practices, urging the need for conservation and restoration efforts in river habitats.

What is the significance of the gharial's "buzz-snort" sound?
  • a)
    It helps in hunting fish
  • b)
    It attracts mates and deters rivals
  • c)
    It is used for communication with other species
  • d)
    It signals danger to other gharials
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev Class 8 answered
The gharial's "buzz-snort" sound plays a significant role in their mating rituals and territorial behaviors. Males use this vocalization to attract females and assert dominance over other males. Such behavioral adaptations are crucial for successful reproduction and maintaining their presence in competitive river environments.

What role does the gharial's nesting behavior play in its survival?
  • a)
    It allows them to lay more eggs
  • b)
    It keeps them hidden from predators
  • c)
    It helps them attract mates
  • d)
    It improves their swimming ability
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev Class 8 answered
The gharial's nesting behavior, where females lay about 50 eggs in deep sand nests, is crucial for their survival as it camouflages the eggs from predators such as hyenas. This nesting strategy helps to ensure that more hatchlings survive to maturity, contributing to the population's recovery amid declining numbers.

What is the primary diet of gharials?
  • a)
    Birds
  • b)
    Small mammals
  • c)
    Fish
  • d)
    Insects
Correct answer is option 'C'. Can you explain this answer?

Gharials are primarily fish-eaters, which is supported by their long, narrow snouts that are specifically adapted for catching fish in their river habitats. This dietary specialization makes them unique among crocodilians and highlights their role in controlling fish populations within their ecosystems.

Which project aimed at conserving gharials was initiated in 1974?
  • a)
    Project Gharial
  • b)
    Project River Rescue
  • c)
    Project Wildlife
  • d)
    Project Crocodile
Correct answer is option 'D'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev Class 8 answered
Project Crocodile was launched in 1974 with the objective of conserving gharials through breeding and release programs. This initiative was supported by the United Nations and aimed to counter the significant population decline due to habitat loss and other threats. The project highlights the importance of coordinated conservation efforts in protecting endangered species.

What unique physical feature do male gharials develop during adolescence?
  • a)
    A "ghara" that produces a "buzz-snort"
  • b)
    Brightly colored scales
  • c)
    Extra limbs for swimming
  • d)
    A long tail
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

Male gharials develop a distinctive feature called a "ghara," which is a bulbous growth on their snout that allows them to produce a unique sound known as a "buzz-snort." This sound is used to attract females and assert dominance over rivals. The gharial's long, slender snout is specifically adapted for catching fish, making them highly specialized predators in their riverine habitats.

What challenges did gharials face during the breeding and release efforts of Project Crocodile?
  • a)
    Lack of food
  • b)
    High mortality from floods and nets
  • c)
    Inability to adapt to captivity
  • d)
    Competition from other species
Correct answer is option 'B'. Can you explain this answer?

During the breeding and release efforts of Project Crocodile, gharials faced significant challenges, particularly high mortality rates due to floods and entanglement in fishing nets. These issues illustrate the complexities of conservation work and the ongoing threats that endangered species face even after being bred in captivity.

How does the message of Janaki Lenin's work emphasize the importance of habitat conservation?
  • a)
    It highlights the interconnectedness of ecosystems
  • b)
    It ignores human impacts on nature
  • c)
    It focuses solely on the gharial's biology
  • d)
    It suggests that species can survive without habitats
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

The message of Janaki Lenin's work emphasizes the importance of habitat conservation by highlighting the interconnectedness of ecosystems. The survival of species like the gharial is depicted as directly linked to the health of their river habitats, demonstrating that protecting these environments is essential for both wildlife and human communities.

What has significantly reduced the gharial's habitat range from 20,000 to 200 square kilometers?
  • a)
    Damming and pollution
  • b)
    Climate change
  • c)
    Overfishing
  • d)
    Urban development
Correct answer is option 'A'. Can you explain this answer?

EduRev Class 8 answered
The gharial's habitat range has drastically shrunk due to damming, which alters river flow, as well as pollution and fishing nets that pose direct threats to their survival. This significant reduction in habitat not only affects gharial populations but also indicates broader ecological degradation of river ecosystems, which are vital for many species.

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