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Q19·GS Paper 1 · Prelims 2023

Which animal makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a log

EnvironmentBiodiversity & ConservationFactual singleMediumStatic

Question

Which one of the following makes a tool with a stick to scrape insects from a hole in a tree or a log of wood?

Options

a

Fishing cat

b

Orangutan

Answer
c

Otter

d

Sloth bear

Explanation

The Orangutan is highly intelligent and is widely documented modifying sticks to extract insects from tree crevices or to scoop seeds from fruit. Sloth bears eat insects but use their specialized lips and claws to suck them out, not fashioned tools. Fishing cats and otters do not use stick tools for foraging.

Tool creation and utilization in the wild is a hallmark characteristic of the great apes (chimpanzees, orangutans, gorillas).

Answer: (b).

Question details

Year

2023

Paper

GS Paper 1

Question

Q19

Subject

Environment

Sub-topic

Biodiversity & Conservation

Type

Factual single

Difficulty

Medium

Nature

Static

Source hint

Primate Tool Manufacture & Cognitive Ethology Research

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