UPSC Prelims 2001 · General Studies
Question 96: Geography
A class of animals known as Marsupials is a characteristic feature of
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Marsupials, the pouched mammals such as kangaroos, koalas and wombats, are the characteristic mammals of Australia, which separated early from the other continents so that they evolved without competition from placental mammals. A few marsupials, such as opossums, live in South America, but Australia is the home of the great marsupial radiation. Remember Australia for marsupials and for egg-laying monotremes like the platypus.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Africa has no native marsupials.
- (b) Right: Australia.
- (c) South America has opossums but is not the characteristic home of marsupials.
- (d) South-east Asia has no characteristic marsupial fauna.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2001, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.