Question map
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?
Explanation
The correct answer is Option 2 (Only two). This question requires distinguishing between the general characteristics of squirrels and the specific behaviors of Indian species, primarily the Indian Palm Squirrel.
- Statement 1 is incorrect: Indian Palm Squirrels are arboreal; they typically build nests (dreys) on tree branches using twigs, grass, and fiber, rather than burrowing in the ground. Ground-burrowing is characteristic of ground squirrels, which are not native to the Indian landscape.
- Statement 2 is correct: Like many rodents, Indian squirrels exhibit "caching" behavior. They frequently bury nuts, seeds, and food materials in the ground to consume later during periods of scarcity.
- Statement 3 is correct: Indian squirrels are omnivorous. While their primary diet consists of fruits, nuts, and seeds, they are known to consume insects, bird eggs, and occasionally small reptiles or chicks.
Since statements 2 and 3 are scientifically accurate for Indian species, Only two statements are correct.
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a classic 'Observation vs. Cartoon' trap. The examiner tests if you know the specific ecology of *Indian* tropical squirrels (arboreal, non-hibernating) or if you are relying on Western media tropes (temperate squirrels burying nuts for winter). Standard books fail here; common sense and backyard observation win.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Distinguishes tree vs. ground squirrels, showing only ground squirrels dig burrows.
- Implies species that live in trees (typical of many Indian tree squirrels) do not dig underground burrows.
- States the squirrel family includes both arboreal and ground-living forms.
- Explicitly notes ground-living forms often live in burrows, supporting that burrowing is characteristic of ground squirrels (not all squirrels).
Lists 'giant squirrel' and 'flying squirrel' as main fauna of several Indian reserves, implying these squirrel species are present and known as distinct types.
A student could combine this with the basic fact that giant and flying squirrels are typically arboreal to suspect Indian squirrels often nest above ground rather than as ground burrows.
Describes the Kondana rat as a 'nocturnal burrowing rodent' that 'is sometimes known to build nests', showing that some small mammals in India do nest in burrows.
A student could use this pattern (some rodents burrow) to note that burrowing is known among Indian small mammals, so ground burrowing is biologically plausible for some species — but not automatic for squirrels.
Gives an example of a mammal (platypus) that constructs a burrow for nesting, illustrating that mammals sometimes use ground burrows for reproduction.
One could generalize that burrowing for nests occurs across mammal groups, so testing whether squirrels are among those groups is reasonable using species-specific natural history.
Notes that the Forest Owlet's 'roosting and nesting trees' are important, providing an example where nesting is tree-based and vulnerable to loss of trees.
This supports the pattern that many forest animals (including some squirrels) rely on trees for nesting, so a student might check whether Indian squirrel species are tree-nesters rather than ground-burrowers.
Describes how different species choose nest heights (crows build high or low nests) as a behavioral/ecological adaptation, showing nesting site varies by species and can be inferred from habitat.
A student could apply this rule: determine typical habitat/behavior of Indian squirrel species (arboreal vs. terrestrial) to predict whether they are likely to burrow for nests.
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