Consider the following statements regarding the Himalayan Black Bear: ...
An animal keeper died after being attacked by a Himalayan black bear in the animal’s enclosure at Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) recently.
About Himalayan Black Bear:
- It is a subspecies of the Asian black bear.
- Scientific Name: Ursus thibetanus laniger
- Distribution:
- They live a lot in the Himalayas, in Tibet, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and China.
- In India, they are found throughout the Himalayas, from Jammu & Kashmir to Arunachal Pradesh, and in hilly regions of other north- eastern states.
- Habitat:
- The species prefers heavily forested, broadleaved, and coniferous forests as habitat.
- It uses orchards, agricultural fields, and human habitation to move between forest patches.
- Features:
- It has soft and shiny hair, with a white V patch on their chest.
- On average, they range from1.4 to 1.7 metres in length and weigh from 90 to 200 kg (the higher figure only likely just prior to hibernation).
- Life span: 25 to 30 years in the wild.
- Food: They are omnivorous creatures (like most bears). Their diet consists of acorns, nuts, fruit, honey, roots, and various insects such as termites and beetle larvae.
- Behaviour: Naturally diurnal but many are largely nocturnal in order to avoid contact with humans.
- Conservation Status:
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
Hence only statement 2 is correct.
Consider the following statements regarding the Himalayan Black Bear: ...
Statement 1: It is found only in the Western Himalayas.
Statement 2: It is an omnivorous species.
The correct answer is Option B: 2 only.
Explanation:
Himalayan Black Bear:
The Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus laniger) is a subspecies of the Asian Black Bear found in the Himalayan region. It is also known as the Tibetan Black Bear or the Asiatic Black Bear.
Statement 1: It is found only in the Western Himalayas.
This statement is incorrect. The Himalayan Black Bear is found in various parts of the Himalayan region, including the Western Himalayas, but its distribution extends beyond just the Western Himalayas. It is found in countries like India, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Myanmar, and Pakistan. Within India, it is found in several states including Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh. So, the statement is not correct.
Statement 2: It is an omnivorous species.
This statement is correct. The Himalayan Black Bear is an omnivorous species, which means it has a diet that includes both plant matter and animal matter. It feeds on a variety of food items such as fruits, berries, nuts, roots, insects, small mammals, birds, and carrion. Its diet can vary depending on the availability of food in its habitat. So, the statement is correct.
In conclusion, only Statement 2 is correct. The Himalayan Black Bear is an omnivorous species, but it is not found only in the Western Himalayas.
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