UPSC Prelims 2024 Question:

Consider the following statements

1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.
2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaims their territory by scent marking.
   
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation:    

• Lions have no particular breeding season, and often synchronize breeding, especially after a pride takeover, raising the cubs communally. Male lions become sexually mature at around 26 months old, but are unlikely to breed before the age of four or five, primarily due to a lack of opportunity until they are large enough at around this age to take over a pride and therefore its breeding rights. So, statement 1 is correct.
  
  
• The bones of the cheetah's voice box form a fixed structure, with divided vocal cords that vibrate with both in and out breaths. This structure is the same for all the 'small' cats. While this design enables these cats to purr continuously, it limits the range of other sounds and prevents them from being able to roar. So, statement 2 is correct.
  
  
• Lions proclaim their territory by roaring and by scent marking. Their distinctive roar is generally delivered in the evening before a night’s hunting and again before getting up at dawn. Males also proclaim their presence by urinating on bushes, trees, or simply on the ground, leaving a pungent scent behind. Defecation and rubbing against bushes leave different scent markings.
  
  
• Both sexes of Leopards use urine to mark their territories, and often after urinating a male will then scrape the ground to transfer the scent of his urine onto his feet to be carried during territorial boundary patrols. Leopards are also often seen rubbing their faces and necks on vegetation as they are walking along their territory. So, statement 3 is not correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Biodiversity and Conservation