Q. Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements:
- It is an omnivorous crustacean.
- Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.
- In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) I only
(b) I and III
(c) II only
(d) II and III
UPSC Prelims Question Paper 2025 Download Pdf
Answer & Explanation:
✅Correct Answer: (d) I, II and III
Explanation:
Statement I – Incorrect
The Peacock tarantula (Poecilotheria metallica) is not a crustacean. It belongs to the class Arachnida, making it a spider. It is also carnivorous, feeding mainly on insects and small invertebrates, not omnivorous. Hence, Statement I is factually incorrect.
Statement II – Correct
The Peacock tarantula is endemic to India and has an extremely restricted natural range. It is found only in small, fragmented forest areas of Andhra Pradesh, primarily within disturbed deciduous reserve forests. Its habitat is estimated to be less than 100 square kilometres, making it one of the most range-restricted tarantula species in the world.
Statement III – Correct
In its natural habitat, the Peacock tarantula is an arboreal species. It lives in tree hollows, cracks in trunks, and under loose bark, preferring tall trees. Unlike ground-dwelling tarantulas, it spends most of its life above ground, which is a key ecological characteristic of the species.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect
- Options (a) and (b) are incorrect because they include Statement I, which is wrong.
- Option (c) is incorrect because it ignores Statement III, which correctly describes the species’ arboreal nature.