2013
Q. 7
Set A
Environment & Ecology
Biodiversity
Consider the following :
- Star tortoise
- Monitor lizard
- Pygmy hog
- Spider monkey
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
Smart Elimination
UPSC often puts one completely foreign species.
If a species is strongly associated with Latin America / Africa, eliminate it. Here, in this case that would be Spider Monkey (found in Central and South America), which is also a New World Monkey.
If its of Indian origin, there is a strong chance that you would have heard of it.
Potential Trap
Spider Monkey sounds exotic but is actually a New World monkey (South/Central America), not found in India.
Answer Key & Explanation
Answer: AThe correct answer is Option A.
Analysis:
- Star Tortoise: Found in dry areas of India (and Sri Lanka/Pakistan). (Found in India)
- Monitor Lizard: Several species (e.g., Bengal Monitor) are found across India. (Found in India)
- Pygmy Hog: Critically endangered, found in the foothills of the Himalayas (Manas National Park, Assam). (Found in India)
- Spider Monkey: These are New World monkeys found in the tropical forests of Central and South America. They are not naturally found in India.
Therefore, only 1, 2, and 3 are correct.
Value Addition
- Pygmy Hog: It is the smallest wild pig in the world and is an indicator species of the tall wet grassland habitat.
- Indian Star Tortoise: Frequently trafficked for the pet trade.
Topic Trend (2011-2025)
Visualize the frequency of this topic across past year papers. Click on any bar to see questions.
Questions
No Questions
Difficulty Assessment
medium
Foundational question based on core concepts.