Context:
Two mammal species, the binturong and small-clawed otter, were newly found in Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve.
Binturong:
- Largest civet in India
- Native to – South and Southeast Asia.
- Local name – Bearcat
- Characteristics – Not easily found due to its nocturnal (active at night) and arboreal (living in trees) habits.
- Distribution – Northeast Indian States
- Habitat – Elevated areas and dense forests
- Conservation Status –
- Wildlife Protection Act 1972 – Schedule I
- IUCN Status – Vulnerable
Small-clawed otter:
- Smallest otter species in the world
- Other name – Asian small-clawed otter.
- Characteristics –
- Partially webbed feet with short claws
- Highly social animals, living in family groups and communicating through a variety of vocalizations.
- Claws of small-clawed otter is like a human finger.
- 3 otter species found in India – Smooth-coated otters, Eurasian otters and small-clawed otter species.
- All 3 species are now present in the Kaziranga national park.
- Distribution –
- Global: South Asia, Southeast Asia and Southern China.
- India: West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Western Ghats (Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala)
- Previously reported from western Himalayas and parts of Odisha, however no recent records of its presence has been found in these regions.
- Occurrence – Found in freshwater habitats such as rivers, streams, and wetlands.
- Conservation Status –
- Wildlife Protection Act 1972 – Schedule I
- IUCN Status – Vulnerable
Source: The Hindu
Previous Year Question
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: Marsupials are not naturally found in India.
Statement-II: Marsupials can thrive only in montane grasslands with no predators.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2023 Prelims]
(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
(c) Statement-1 is correct Statement-II is incorrect
(d) Statement-1 is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Answer: (c)
Explanation:
statement 2 is not correct: Marsupials can live in any part of the forest habitat, from the trees to the forest floor where, like the wombat, they burrow underground.
