UPSC Prelims 2013 Q7: Environment & Ecology – Protected Areas & Wildlife
Consider the following:
1. Star tortoise
2. Monitor lizard
3. Pygmy hog
4. Spider monkey
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
- (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Explanation
Animals naturally found in India
| Animal | Naturally found in India? | Fact |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Star tortoise | Yes | Dry areas of India and Sri Lanka; hit by illegal pet trade |
| 2. Monitor lizard | Yes | Four species, including the Bengal monitor |
| 3. Pygmy hog | Yes | The world's smallest wild pig; tall grasslands of Assam (Manas) |
| 4. Spider monkey | No | Lives in the forests of Central and South America |
Conservation status:
| Animal | Status |
|---|---|
| Pygmy hog | Endangered; Schedule I |
| Indian star tortoise | Vulnerable; CITES Appendix I |
| Monitor lizards | Protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act |
New World monkeys such as the spider monkey have grasping tails; no Indian monkey does.
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. The star tortoise, monitor lizard and pygmy hog are found in India.
- (b) Incorrect. The star tortoise is also found in India.
- (c) Incorrect. The spider monkey is American, and the lizard and hog are left out.
- (d) Incorrect. The spider monkey is not found in India.
Key point
Indian fauna: star tortoise, monitor lizards, pygmy hog (Assam grasslands). Spider monkey is a New World monkey of the Americas.
Remember
Spider monkey = Americas, not India.
Common mistakes
- Assuming any monkey could be Indian.
- Not knowing the pygmy hog of Manas.
- Forgetting that the star tortoise is threatened by the pet trade.
Exam tip
Spider, howler and capuchin monkeys are all American.
Sources
- Zoological Survey of India — Fauna of India
- IUCN Red List — Porcula salvania (Pygmy Hog) and Geochelone elegans (Indian Star Tortoise)