UPSC Previous Year Question | Prelims GS | 2020

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.

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

Answer

Correct Answer

1 and 2 only

Explanation

Elephant herds are led by a matriarch and gestation lasts up to about 22 months. Elephants can breed beyond 40 years, and Karnataka, not Kerala, has the largest elephant population.

Topics: environment & ecology, gestation & population, indian elephant - behaviour, mammals, species in news