Consider the following statements regarding Double Humped Camels: They...
The Army recently deployed double humped camels for logistical support to the troops in eastern Ladakh.
About Double Humped Camels:
- Double Humped Camels or Bactrian camels, have two humps on their backs where they store fat.
- Scientific Name: Camelus bactrianus
- Distribution:
- They are native to the harsh and arid regions of Central Asia.
- They occupy habitats in Central Asia from Afghanistan to China, primarily up into the Mongolian steppes and the Gobi desert.
- A small population of Bactrian camels exists in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh.
- Features:
- They are up to 10 feet (3.0 m) long and weigh 590-1000 kg.
- They are smaller and more slender than the one-humped dromedary camels found in Africa and the Middle East.
- Their fur color varies from beige to dark brown.
- They have thick, wooly coats that provide warmth during the cold months and insulation from the desert heat, and they shed this for the summer months.
- Lifespan: 50 years
- They typically live in herds of 6-20 members, although they can occasionally be solitary or in groups of up to 30 individuals.
- Diet: They are omnivores but are primarily herbivores that constantly graze on grasses.
- Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Hence only statement 2 is correct.
Consider the following statements regarding Double Humped Camels: They...
Critical evaluation of the given statements:
The given statements are related to double humped camels, and we need to determine their accuracy. Let's evaluate each statement individually:
Statement 1: They are native to the arid regions of West Africa.
This statement is incorrect. Double humped camels, also known as Bactrian camels, are not native to the arid regions of West Africa. They are primarily found in the Central Asian countries of Mongolia, China, Kazakhstan, and Iran. These camels have adapted to harsh desert habitats, including the Gobi Desert and the deserts of Central Asia.
Statement 2: They are classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List.
This statement is also incorrect. Double humped camels are not classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List. In fact, they are listed as Critically Endangered by the Chinese government and Endangered by the Mongolian government. The IUCN Red List categorizes Bactrian camels as Vulnerable, which is one level lower than Critically Endangered. The main threats to their population include hunting, habitat loss, and competition for resources with livestock.
Conclusion:
Neither of the given statements is correct. Double humped camels are not native to West Africa, and they are not classified as Critically Endangered under the IUCN Red List.
Therefore, the correct answer is option 'B' - 2 only.
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