Shankar IAS MCQs: Animal Diversity of India | Environment for UPSC CSE PDF Download

Q1: Statement 1: The Pygmy Hog is the smallest wild pig in the world.
Statement 2: It is an indicator species for grassland habitat management.
Statement 3: A captive breeding program for the Pygmy Hog was initiated in Maharashtra in 1996.
(a) Only statements 1 and 2 are correct.
(b) Only statements 1 and 3 are correct.
(c) All statements are correct.
(d) Only statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Ans: (a)
Statement 3 is incorrect because the captive breeding program for the Pygmy Hog was initiated in Assam, not Maharashtra.

Q2: Statement 1: The Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania) is the world's smallest wild pig, weighing only 8 kgs.
Statement 2: The Pygmy Hog serves as an indicator species for grassland habitat management, essential for the conservation of other endangered species like the Indian Rhinoceros, Swamp Deer, and Wild Buffalo.
(a) Statement 1 is true, and Statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 1 is false, and Statement 2 is true.
(c) Both Statements 1 and 2 are true.
(d) Both Statements 1 and 2 are false.
Ans: (c)
The Pygmy Hog is indeed the world's smallest wild pig, and it serves as a vital indicator for grassland habitat management, benefiting other endangered species.

Q3: Assertion (a): The Ganges River Dolphin is recognized as India's National Aquatic Animal.
Reason (R): It is an indicator of the health of the entire river ecosystem.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is true.
Ans: (a)
The Ganges River Dolphin is indeed India's National Aquatic Animal and serves as an indicator of river ecosystem health.

Q4: Arrange the following species in the order of their IUCN status from 'Critically Endangered' to 'Vulnerable':
1. Namdapha Flying Squirrel
2. Sumatran Rhinoceros
3. Dugong
(a) 1, 2, 3
(b) 2, 1, 3
(c) 3, 2, 1
(d) 2, 3, 1
Ans: (b)
The Sumatran Rhinoceros is critically endangered, followed by the Namdapha Flying Squirrel and then the Dugong, which is vulnerable.

Q5: Black Rhinos are actually black in color.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (b)
Black Rhinos are not actually black; the name is likely a distinction from the White Rhino, or due to the dark-colored soil often covering its skin.

Q6: Which of the following is NOT a reason for bird migration?
(a) Avoiding extreme climatic conditions
(b) Finding a mate
(c) Managing food shortages
(d) Seeking better breeding conditions
Ans: (b)
While migration may indirectly affect mating, the primary reasons include avoiding extreme conditions, managing food and water shortages, and seeking better breeding conditions.

Q7: Identify the incorrect pair regarding species extinction processes:
(a) Deterministic processes - Glaciations
(b) Stochastic processes - Decreased food supply
(c) Artificial Extinction - Habitat fragmentation
(d) Natural extinctions - Increased volcanic activity
Ans: (c)
Artificial extinction is primarily driven by human activities like hunting and habitat destruction, not just habitat fragmentation.

Q8: Which of the following is NOT a preventive strategy for managing Human-Wildlife Conflict (HW(c)?
(a) Creating natural barriers
(b) Compensation systems
(c) Guarding
(d) Relocation of human populations
Ans: (b)
Compensation systems are a mitigative strategy, not a preventive one.

Q9: Which of the following is NOT a feature of Monotremes?
(a) They are a subgroup of marsupials.
(b) They lay eggs instead of giving birth.
(c) Include species like the duck-billed platypus.
(d) Found exclusively in Australia and New Guinea.
Ans: (a)
Monotremes are not marsupials; they are a distinct group of egg-laying mammals.

Q10: Which critically endangered bird is known for inhabiting rivers with sand or gravel bars?
(a) Jerdon's Courser
(b) Forest Owlet
(c) The White-bellied Heron
(d) The Bengal Florican
Ans: (c)
The White-bellied Heron is known to inhabit such river habitats.

Q11: Statement 1: The Kondana Rat is a nocturnal burrowing rodent.
Statement 2: It is found only in the Western Ghats of Kerala.
Statement 3: Major threats include habitat loss and disturbance from tourism.
(a) Only statements 1 and 3 are correct.
(b) Only statements 2 and 3 are correct.
(c) All statements are correct.
(d) Only statement 1 is correct.
Ans: (a)
Statement 2 is incorrect as the Kondana Rat is found in the Sinhagarh Plateau near Pune in Maharashtra, not in the Western Ghats of Kerala.

Q12: The Large Rock Rat or Elvira Rat is known for:
(a) Being nocturnal and burrowing
(b) Being diurnal and tree-dwelling
(c) Being the largest rodent in India
(d) Being found across all of India
Ans: (a)
The Large Rock Rat or Elvira Rat is a nocturnal, burrowing rodent, endemic to the Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu.

Q13: Statement 1: The Kondana Rat (Millardia kondana) is known only from the small Sinhagarh Plateau near Pune in Maharashtra.
Statement 2: Major threats to the Kondana Rat include habitat loss, overgrazing, and disturbance from tourism and recreational activities.
(a) Statement 1 is true, and Statement 2 is false.
(b) Statement 1 is false, and Statement 2 is true.
(c) Both Statements 1 and 2 are true.
(d) Both Statements 1 and 2 are false.
Ans: (c)
The Kondana Rat is indeed known only from the small Sinhagarh Plateau, and its major threats include habitat loss, overgrazing, and disturbance from tourism.

Q14: Assertion (a): Marsupials are pouched mammals that lay eggs.
Reason (R): Monotremes, including the duck-billed platypus, give birth to live young.
(a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true, but R is false.
(d) A is false, but R is false.
Ans: (d)
Marsupials do not lay eggs; they give birth to live young, which then develop in a pouch. Monotremes are the ones that lay eggs.

Q15: Fire corals are more closely related to true corals than to jellyfish.
(a) True
(b) False
Ans: (b)
Despite their name, fire corals are more closely related to jellyfish than to true corals.

Q16: Which of the following is true about Jerdon's Courser?
(a) It is a diurnal bird found in coastal areas of Andhra Pradesh.
(b) It is a nocturnal bird endemic to northern Andhra Pradesh.
(c) It was rediscovered in 2000.
(d) It prefers wetland habitats.
Ans: (b)
Jerdon's Courser is a nocturnal bird exclusively found in the northern part of Andhra Pradesh, peninsular India.

Q17: The Spoon Billed Sandpiper is critically endangered due to:
(a) Illegal hunting
(b) Habitat degradation and human disturbance
(c) Climate change
(d) Pesticide pollution
Ans: (b)
The Spoon Billed Sandpiper is threatened by habitat degradation, land reclamation, and human disturbance.

Q18: The advisory for the Management of Human-Wildlife Conflict suggests:
(a) Complete elimination of problematic wild animals
(b) Empowering gram panchayats in dealing with wild animals
(c) Relocation of all wildlife to protected areas
(d) Banning of ecotourism activities
Ans: (b)
The advisory envisages empowering gram panchayats in dealing with problematic wild animals as per the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Q19: The Dugong, classified as vulnerable, faces threats primarily from:
(a) Predation by sharks
(b) Climate change
(c) Habitat degradation and fishing-related fatalities
(d) Overgrazing of sea grass
Ans: (c)
Dugongs face threats from hunting, habitat degradation, and fishing-related fatalities.

Q20: The Ganges River Dolphin is considered an important indicator species because:
(a) It indicates the presence of other marine mammals.
(b) It reflects the health of the entire river ecosystem.
(c) It is the top predator in its ecosystem.
(d) It has a significant cultural importance.
Ans: (b)
The Ganges River Dolphin is recognized as a crucial indicator of the health of the entire river ecosystem.