2013 Q. 10 Set A
Environment & Ecology
Biodiversity

Consider the following animals :

  1. Sea cow
  2. Sea horse
  3. Sea lion

Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals?

Smart Elimination

Recall basic biology: Sea Horse is a fish. Eliminate any option with 2. This eliminates A, C, and D. You are left with Option B.

Potential Trap

Sea Horse implies 'horse', but it is actually a fish.

Answer Key & Explanation

Answer: B

The correct answer is Option B.

Analysis:

  1. Sea Cow (Dugong): It is a herbivorous marine mammal. It nurses its young. (Correct)
  2. Sea Horse: It is a fish (genus Hippocampus). It lays eggs (though the male carries them). (Incorrect)
  3. Sea Lion: It is a marine mammal (Pinniped), related to seals and walruses. (Correct)

Therefore, only 1 and 3 are mammals.

Value Addition

  • Dugong: State animal of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Found in Gulf of Mannar.
  • Sea Horse: Unique because the male gets pregnant and gives birth.

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Difficulty Assessment
medium

Foundational question based on core concepts.

Global Importance Score
5 / 10
Based on analysis of this topic across 2011-2025.