Consider the following statements regarding the Indian squirrels:

1. They build nests by making burrows in the ground.
2. They store their food materials like nuts and seeds in the ground.
3. They are omnivorous.

How many of the above statements are correct?

1. Only one
2. Only two
3. All three
4. None

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect

• Most Indian squirrels are arboreal (tree-dwelling). They build nests (dreys) in trees, not burrows in the ground.

Statement 3 is correct

• Squirrels are omnivores (they eat both plants and animals). Their favorite foods include: acorns, seeds, nuts, berries, tree buds, insects, bird eggs, and amphibians. They sometimes do resort to scavenging, feeding on the remains of termites, beetles, moths and wasps.

Statement 2 is correct

• Squirrels don’t just gather the food they need at that moment; they gather and stock up for the future. These rodents take up residence in nests that offer storage space, like the hollow of a tree, an empty animal burrow or a house’s attic.

Answer: (b) Only two; Difficulty Level: Medium