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UPSC Prelims 2012 · Environment · Species Watch
What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?
- (a) 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
- (b) Oryx is poached for its antlers whereas Chiru is poached for its musk
- (c) Oryx exists in western India only whereas Chiru exists in north-east India only
- (d) None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
Show the answer and explanation
Answer: (a) 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 live in the deserts of Africa and Arabia; the chiru (Tibetan antelope) on the cold Changthang plateau, including Ladakh.
The idea
Both are antelopes of open, dry country, but at opposite temperatures. The oryx is an animal of hot deserts in Africa and Arabia. The chiru, or Tibetan antelope, lives on the cold, high plateau of Tibet and eastern Ladakh above 4,000 m.
Chiru grows very fine underwool against the cold → The wool is called shahtoosh → The animal has to be killed to take it → Several chiru die for one shawl → Trade is banned
Why the others are wrong
(b) Antelopes have horns, not antlers; the chiru is poached for its wool (shahtoosh), not musk.
(c) The oryx is not found wild in India, and the chiru lives in Ladakh, not the north-east.
The trap
(b) mixes three errors: antlers (deer), musk (musk deer) and chiru. Shahtoosh wool is the chiru story.
Also know
Antelopes have horns, which are permanent; deer have antlers, which are shed each year. Antelopes of India: blackbuck, nilgai, chinkara, four-horned antelope and chiru. Musk comes from the musk deer, a different animal.
🔒 Chiru (Tibetan antelope): Ladakh / Tibet, poached for shahtoosh wool.