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?

(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-II

(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect·

(d) Statement-II is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.

2. Ans: c

Explanation:

Marsupials are mammals whose young are born incompletely developed. They develop inside a pouch on the mother’s belly. They give live birth, but they do not have long gestation times like placental mammals. Instead, they give birth very early and the young animal, essentially a helpless embryo. The forelimbs however are developed, and the toes are armed with sharp, curved claws. They use these claws to make the journey to the pouch. 

Population:  

Today, most marsupials are found in Central and South America (around 70 species) and Australasia (around 200 species).

Habitat: Most Australian marsupials live in dry scrub or desert habitat. In South America, marsupials live in forests or tropical rainforests. Marsupials can live in any part of the forest habitat, from the trees to the forest floor where, like the wombat, they burrow underground.

Hence, option c is correct.

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