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 ?
- (a) 1 and 2 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- (c) 3 only
- (d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Why the answer is (a)
• Statement 1 is correct: elephant herds are matriarchal, led by the oldest, most experienced female; adult males live alone or in bachelor groups.
• Statement 2 is correct: elephants have the longest gestation of any mammal, 18–22 months.
• Statement 3 is wrong: cows can calve into their 50s, not only till 40.
• Statement 4 is wrong: Karnataka has India's largest elephant population (about 6,000), followed by Assam and Kerala (2017 census).
• Hence 1 and 2 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 and 4 only
- Statement 4 is wrong: Karnataka, not Kerala, has the most elephants.
- (c) 3 only
- Statement 3 is wrong: elephants calve beyond 40.
- (d) 1, 3 and 4 only
- Statements 3 and 4 are wrong.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2020, held on 4 October 2020. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.