UPSC Prelims 2012 · Question 95 of 98

UPSC Prelims 2012 question on Oryx vs Chiru

What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?

  1. 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.
  2. Oryx is poached for its antlers whereas Chiru is poached for its musk.
  3. Oryx exists in western India only whereas Chiru exists in north-east India only.
  4. None of the statements given above is correct.
Show answer

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.

Verdict

Correct Answer: 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

Analysis

Oryx and Chiru are antelopes, but they live in very different habitats.

Oryx is adapted to hot deserts, while Chiru is adapted to cold high-altitude regions.

1. 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 — Correct

Oryx is found mainly in the hot and dry regions of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.

It can survive long periods without water and tolerate high body temperatures.

Chiru, or Tibetan Antelope, lives in the cold high-altitude steppes and semi-desert areas of the Tibetan Plateau, including parts of Ladakh.

2. Oryx is poached for its musk whereas Chiru is poached for its wool — Incorrect

Chiru is poached for its fine wool called Shahtoosh.

Oryx is not poached for musk.

Musk is associated with musk deer, not oryx.

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

Oryx is not native to India; it is found mainly in Africa and Arabia.

Chiru is found in the Tibetan Plateau region and in India mainly in Ladakh, not north-east India.

This is a distribution-based trap.

Extra UPSC info

* Chiru is also known as the Tibetan Antelope.

* Shahtoosh wool is obtained from Chiru and its trade is illegal.

* Chiru is protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

* Chiru is listed under CITES Appendix I, which prohibits international commercial trade.

* Pashmina comes from domesticated goats, while Shahtoosh comes from wild Chiru.

* Do not confuse musk deer with Chiru or Oryx; musk is obtained from musk deer.

How to crack it

The correct option is the habitat-based distinction: Oryx is adapted to hot arid regions, while Chiru is adapted to cold high-altitude steppes and semi-desert areas.

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