UPSC Prelims 2020 · Question 92 of 100

UPSC Prelims 2020 question on Indian Elephants

With reference to Indian elephants, consider the following statements:

1. The leader of an elephant group is a female.

2. The maximum gestation period can be 22 months.

3. An elephant can normally go on calving till the age of 40 years only.

4. Among the States in India, the highest elephant population is in Kerala.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 4 only
  3. 3 only
  4. 1, 3 and 4 only
Show answer

Answer: A. 1 and 2 only

Verdict

Correct statements: 1 and 2 → Option (a).

Statement by statement

Statement 1 — CORRECT: The Indian elephant is one of three extant recognised subspecies of the Asian elephant and native to mainland Asia. The oldest female in an elephant herd is always the leader.

Statement 2 — CORRECT: Elephants have the longest gestation period of all mammals. The average gestation period of an elephant is about 640 to 660 days, or roughly 95 weeks (approximately 22 months).

Statement 3 — INCORRECT: Female elephants live for 60 to 70 years, but only have about four offspring throughout their lifetime. Fertility decreases after age 50, but elephants continue to reproduce at least until the age of 65 years. It is not till the age of 40 years only.

Statement 4 — INCORRECT: South India had the highest number of wild elephants — 14,612. Among the south Indian states, Karnataka leads the table with 6,049 elephants, followed by Kerala.

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