🌱 Environment & EcologyUPSC 2024Sustainable Development

Consider the following statements:1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territo- ry by scent marking.Which of the statements given above are correct?

a1 and 2 only
b2 and 3 only
c1 and 3 only
d1, 2 and 3
✓ Correct answer: a) 1 and 2 only
ExplanationStatement 1 is correct: Both males and females of the lions are polygamous and breed throughout the year, but females are usually restricted to one or two adult males of their pride.In captivity, lions often breed every year, but in the wild, they usu- ally breed no more than once in two years.Females are receptive to mating for three or four days within a widely variable repro- ductive cycle.Statement 2 is correct: There are four big cats that can roar: lion, tiger, leopard and jaguar - all of which belong to the genus Panthera.In these species, the epihyal bone, part of the voice box, is replaced by a ligament.This can be stretched, creating a larger sound-producing passage and thus a wider range of pitch.The bones of the cheetah's voice box form a fixed structure, with di- vided vocal cords that vibrate with both in and out breaths.This structure is the same for all the 'small' cats.While this design en- ables these cats to purr continuously, it limits the range of other sounds and prevents them from being able to roar.Statement 3 is incorrect: Leopards are known for thei

Practice more Environment PYQs

Attempt a free 10-question quiz or browse the full Environment & Ecology previous-year-question bank with instant answers and explanations.

🌱 Environment PYQs →