Q1. Which of the following is the world’s smallest wild pig?
- Pygmy Hog
- Bush Pig
- Indian Wild Boar
- Warthog
Correct Option: 1. Pygmy Hog
Explanation: The Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania) is the smallest and one of the rarest wild pigs in the world, typically weighing about 8–10 kilograms. It is critically endangered and is found in a few isolated pockets of Assam, particularly in the Manas Wildlife Sanctuary and the Sonai-Rupai area. The Pygmy Hog is highly significant as an indicator species for tall, wet grasslands. Its survival reflects the health of these ecosystems. The species faces threats from habitat loss due to agriculture, human encroachment, and periodic burning of grasslands.
Q2. The Namdapha Flying Squirrel is endemic to which Indian state?
- Arunachal Pradesh
- Nagaland
- Assam
- Sikkim
Correct Option: 1. Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: The Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi) is a rare and critically endangered species known only from a single specimen found in the Namdapha National Park, Arunachal Pradesh. It is a nocturnal, tree-dwelling rodent and remains one of the most elusive mammals. Due to its extremely limited known range and a lack of recent sightings, there is serious concern about its conservation status. The area it inhabits is under threat from deforestation, poaching, and human settlement.
Q3. Which of the following birds is known for its spectacular mating dance among grasslands?
- Forest Owlet
- Bengal Florican
- Siberian Crane
- White-bellied Heron
Correct Option: 2. Bengal Florican
Explanation: The Bengal Florican (Houbaropsis bengalensis) is a critically endangered bird found in tall grassland habitats in regions like Uttar Pradesh, Assam, and Arunachal Pradesh. Males are known for their dramatic mating display, where they leap into the air with flapping wings to attract females. This behavior usually takes place during the breeding season in early summer. The species is highly vulnerable due to habitat degradation, especially conversion of grasslands to agriculture and infrastructure development. It is now one of the rarest bustards in the world.
Q4. Which marine mammal is also called the “Sea Cow”?
- Blue Whale
- Manatee
- Dugong
- Orca
Correct Option: 3. Dugong
Explanation: The Dugong (Dugong dugon) is a marine herbivore often referred to as the “Sea Cow” because it grazes on seagrass beds in shallow coastal waters. It is found in the Indo-Pacific region, including along the Indian coast, primarily in the Gulf of Mannar and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Dugongs are vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss, entanglement in fishing nets, and illegal hunting. In response, India announced the establishment of its first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Tamil Nadu to help protect its declining population and critical habitat.
Q5. The extinction of which Indian bird is presumed due to no confirmed sightings since 1876?
- Pink-headed Duck
- Himalayan Quail
- Jerdon’s Courser
- Forest Owlet
Correct Option: 2. Himalayan Quail
Explanation: The Himalayan Quail (Ophrysia superciliosa) is one of the most elusive and possibly extinct birds of India. It was last reliably recorded in 1876 near Nainital, and despite repeated surveys, no confirmed sightings have occurred since. This bird is believed to have inhabited dense grasslands and scrub forests at high altitudes in the Western Himalayas. While some unconfirmed reports have emerged, including a possible sighting in 2003, they haven’t led to rediscovery. Habitat destruction, grazing pressure, and natural predation likely contributed to its presumed extinction.