UPSC Prelims 2023 Q14: Environment & Ecology – Biodiversity
- (a) Only one
- (b) Only two
- (c) All three
- (d) None
Answer: (a) Only one
Explanation
Nocturnal Indian Fauna
| Animal | Activity Pattern | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Lion-tailed Macaque (*Macaca silenus*) | Diurnal | Active during daytime. Arboreal primate of the Western Ghats evergreen forests. NOT nocturnal. |
| Malabar Civet (*Viverra civettina*) | Nocturnal | Critically endangered civet of the Western Ghats. Strictly nocturnal and secretive. One of the rarest mammals in India. |
| Sambar Deer (*Cervus unicolor*) | Crepuscular/Nocturnal | Most active at dawn, dusk, and night. While somewhat crepuscular, it is predominantly nocturnal in areas with human disturbance. |
Strictly nocturnal = Only Malabar Civet counts as 'most active after sunset'
The question asks for animals 'generally nocturnal OR most active after sunset' — Malabar Civet is the clearest example. Sambar's activity is mixed. Answer = Only one (strictly Malabar Civet).
Answer: (a) Only one.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. Only the Malabar Civet is strictly nocturnal. Lion-tailed Macaque is diurnal. Sambar Deer is more crepuscular than nocturnal.
- (b) Incorrect. 'Only two' would include Sambar Deer as nocturnal — but Sambar's nocturnal activity is secondary to its crepuscular pattern; LTM is fully diurnal.
- (c) Incorrect. 'All three' — Lion-tailed Macaque is a diurnal primate that cannot be classified as nocturnal.
- (d) Incorrect. 'None' — Malabar Civet is definitively a nocturnal species.
Key point
Malabar Civet = strictly nocturnal (critically endangered, Western Ghats). Lion-tailed Macaque = diurnal primate. Sambar Deer = crepuscular, not strictly nocturnal. Only one fits 'generally nocturnal or most active after sunset.'
Remember
Only the Malabar Civet is strictly nocturnal among the three. Lion-tailed Macaque is diurnal; Sambar Deer is crepuscular (dawn/dusk). Malabar Civet is a critically endangered nocturnal species of the Western Ghats.
Common mistakes
- Marking Sambar Deer as nocturnal — it is crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk), which means it is NOT specifically nocturnal.
- Confusing Lion-tailed Macaque with small mammals — primates that forage during day are diurnal; LTM is active in daylight.
- Not knowing Malabar Civet's status — it is one of India's most endangered mammals and is exclusively nocturnal.
Exam tip
Nocturnal Indian animals: civets, pangolins, porcupines, lorises, some owls/bats. Diurnal: primates (macaques, langurs), most deer species. Crepuscular: sambar, nilgai. Malabar Civet = nocturnal + critically endangered = high-yield fact.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — lion-tailed macaque
- IUCN Red List — Malabar Civet, Lion-tailed Macaque, Sambar Deer