2008 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2008 · General Studies

Question 29: Environment and Ecology

For which one of the following snakes is the diet mainly composed of other snakes?

aKrait
bRussell's viper
cRattlesnake
dKing cobra

AnswerThe answer is (d).

The king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah, meaning snake-eater) feeds mainly on other snakes, including rat snakes and even smaller cobras and pythons. It is the longest venomous snake in the world and the only snake that builds a nest for its eggs. Kraits do eat snakes at times, but they also take lizards, frogs and rodents, so the king cobra is the specialist.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Kraits eat snakes at times but also take lizards, frogs and rodents.
  • (b) Russell's viper eats mainly rodents, lizards and other small animals.
  • (c) Rattlesnakes feed mainly on small mammals and are found in the Americas.
  • (d) The king cobra's diet is mainly other snakes.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2008, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.