Q17 · UPSC Prelims 2023 · Set A · Environment and Ecology

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Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels:1.They build nests by making burrows in the ground.2.They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground.3.They are omnivorous.How many of the above statements are correct?

A Only one
B Only two
C All three
D None

Correct answer: (b) Only two

Explanation

  1. A

    Only one

    Only one. Two statements hold for Indian squirrels as a class.

  2. B

    Only two

    Only two. They cache nuts and they are omnivorous. Typical Indian palm squirrels nest in tree dreys, not by digging burrows.

  3. C

    All three

    All three. Statement 1 treats them as burrowers; that is ground squirrels, not Funambulus.

  4. D

    None

    None. Caching and omnivory stand.

Summary. Official key is (b) only two. Indian palm squirrels (Funambulus) build leaf dreys in trees, not ground burrows. They do store food, and they eat plant matter plus insects — omnivory. Statement 1 is the miss.