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?
Show answer
Answer: B. Statement 1 is wrong: Indian squirrels, like the palm squirrel and giant squirrel, build nests (dreys) in trees, not burrows in the ground. Statement 2 is correct: they bury or hide nuts and seeds for later. Statement 3 is correct: besides seeds and fruits, they eat insects and birds' eggs, so they are omnivorous. So only two.
Watch for: Ground squirrels of other countries dig burrows; Indian tree squirrels do not.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Wrong because both food storage and omnivory are true.
- C. Wrong because Indian squirrels nest in trees, not in ground burrows.
- D. Wrong because statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Source to check: IUCN Red List species accounts (Funambulus palmarum, Ratufa indica); Zoological Survey of India publications on Indian squirrels
Answer from the official UPSC key. Written and fact-checked by AI against the official key. Spotted a mistake? Report it.