Previous Year Question
What is the difference between the antelopes Oryx and Chiru?
Oryx is adapted to live in hot and arid areas whereas Chiru is adapted to live in steppes and semi-desert areas of cold high mountains
Oryx is poached for its antlers whereas Chiru is poached for its musk
Oryx exists in western India only whereas Chiru exists in North-East India only
None of the statements (a), (b) and (c) given above is correct
Correct Answer: A
Detailed Solution
Oryx is an antelope found in the hot, arid deserts and dry plains of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Its body is adapted to withstand water scarcity and extreme heat.
Chiru, also known as the Tibetan antelope, occurs in the cold, high-altitude steppes and semi-desert regions of the Tibetan Plateau and Ladakh.
Therefore, the principal difference between them is their natural habitat—Oryx is adapted to hot and arid regions, whereas Chiru is adapted to cold, high-mountain regions.
Option (b) is incorrect because Oryx possesses horns, not antlers. Chiru is illegally hunted for its extremely soft underfur used to make shahtoosh, not for musk.
Option (c) is also incorrect. Oryx is not found only in western India, and Chiru is not restricted only to North-East India.