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UPSC Prelims 2013 · Environment · Species Watch
Consider the following: Which of the above are naturally found in India?
- Star tortoise
- Monitor lizard
- Pygmy hog
- Spider monkey
- (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
- (b) 2 and 3 only
- (c) 1 and 4 only
- (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) 1, 2 and 3 only
Star tortoise, monitor lizard and pygmy hog are Indian; spider monkeys are American.
Statement by statement
1. ✓ YES The Indian star tortoise lives in dry scrub of peninsular India.
2. ✓ YES The Bengal monitor lizard is common across India.
3. ✓ YES The pygmy hog, the world’s smallest pig, lives in Assam’s grasslands (Manas).
4. ✗ NO Spider monkeys live in Central and South America.
The idea
The monkeys of the Americas and the monkeys of Asia and Africa are two separate groups that never mixed. The spider monkey, with a tail that grips like a hand, is American. No monkey of that group lives wild in India.
Star tortoise: dry scrub of peninsular India → Monitor lizard: all over India → Pygmy hog: tall wet grassland of Assam → Spider monkey: Central and South America
Also know
The pygmy hog is the smallest wild pig in the world and survives only around Manas. It is bred in captivity near Guwahati and released into Assam’s grasslands. The star tortoise is smuggled for the pet trade. All four Indian monitor lizards are protected.
🔒 Pygmy hog: Manas (Assam), Endangered (earlier Critically Endangered). Spider monkey: Americas only.