Context:
Scientists have successfully produced 1st kangaroo embryos using in vitro fertilisation (IVF) technology which is expected to help protect marsupial species.
Marsupials:
- Unique group of mammals known for giving birth to relatively undeveloped young.
- These young continue to grow outside the womb, typically in a pouch.
- However, not all marsupials have a pouch
- A crucial evidence of Continental Drift Theory.
- Earlier they lived in North America and then migrated to South America, Antarctica, and Australia due to continental drift.
- Examples –
- Kangaroos: Herbivores found in various habitats from forests to grasslands, native to Australia.
- Koalas: Herbivores feeding almost exclusively on eucalyptus leaves, native to Australia.
- Tasmanian Tiger: Extinct carnivorous marsupial vanished from the Australian mainland over 2000 years ago due to hunting, diseases etc.
Key Characteristics of Marsupials:
- Viviparous: Female marsupials give birth to live young instead of laying eggs.
- Short Gestation: Marsupials have a brief gestation period, with young born at an early stage of development.
- Pouched Young: The underdeveloped young, called joeys, crawl into the mother’s pouch to continue their development in a protected environment.
- Diverse Habitats: Found in various habitats ranging from forests to deserts, marsupials have adapted to different ecological niches.
- Dietary Adaptations: Includes herbivores like kangaroos and carnivores like the Tasmanian devil.
Peculiar Behaviors of Marsupials:
- Nocturnal Activity: Many marsupials are most active during the night.
- Scent Marking: Used as a form of communication, with scent glands located in various parts of their bodies.
- Complex Social Behaviors: Some species, like Tasmanian Devils, form groups called mobs and interact through vocalizations and facial expressions.
Source: HT
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.