QUESTION-WISE · PRELIMS 2012 · Q451

Environment · Prelims 2012 Q451

What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?

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Ecosystems & Biomes Indian Biogeography Answer A

The question

Stem and options.

What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?

Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains

Oryx is poached for its antlers whereas Chiru is poached for its musk

Oryx exists in western India only whereas Chiru exists in north-east India only.

None of the statements a, b and c given above is correct

Source: UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2012. Syllabus tags and explanation are GyanGram editorial joins for learning—not official UPSC metadata.

Answer

Correct option A

• Correct Answer: A
• Oryx (Arabian Oryx, Gemsbok) is adapted to hot, arid deserts; Chiru (Tibetan Antelope) inhabits cold, high-altitude alpine steppes of the Tibetan Plateau (~3,000-5,500 m).
• B is wrong: Oryx is poached for horns (not antlers); Chiru is poached for shahtoosh wool (not musk). C is wrong: Oryx is not native to India; Chiru is found in Ladakh (northwest), not northeast.

Syllabus path

Where this sits in Learn.

Subject

Environment

ENV

Unit

Ecosystems & Biomes

ENV-U02

Chapter

Indian Biogeography

ENV-U02-C03

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