Q63. Consider the following animals :
- Hedgehog
- Marmot
- Pangolin
To reduce the chance of being captured by predators which of the above organisms rolls up/roll up and protects/protects its/their vulnerable parts?
a) 1 and 2
b) 2 only
c) 3 only
d) 1 and 3
Answer: (d)
- Statement 1 is correct: Hedgehogs are tiny mammals with low-lying bodies and short limbs. Hedgehogs will curl up into a ball when scared or irritated so a predator will feel the full force of their razor-sharp spines and leave the hedgehog alone.
- Statement 2 is incorrect: Marmots are a genus of moderately big ground squirrels. Upon seeing a predator, the yellow-bellied marmot whistles to warn the others in the area, after which it typically hides in a nearby rock pile until there is no more threat. Since they hibernate underground in the winter, these herbivores are not visible during the summer, when they are active and frequently spotted in groups. Of the squirrel family, they are the heaviest.
- Statement 3 is correct: Uniquely, pangolins have thick, overlapping scales covering them. If under threat, a pangolin will immediately curl into a tight ball and will use their sharp-scaled tails to defend themselves
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