Q. Consider the following statements:

  1. Some species of turtles are herbivores.
  2. Some species of fish are herbivores.
  3. Some species of marine mammals are herbivores.
  4. Some species of snakes viviparous.

Which of the statements given above arc correct?

  • 1 and 3 only
  • 2, 3 and 4 only
  • 2 and 4 only
  • 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Notes:

  • Green sea turtleseat seagrasses and algae, though juveniles snack on crabs, sponges, and jellyfish.
    • In the wild, they can live up to 80 years and grow up to five feet long.
    • Once mature, it is the only sea turtle that is strictly herbivorous.
    • The jaw structure of many species indicates their diet.
  • Herbivorous fishes are fishes that eat plant material.
    • Surgeonfish and Parrotfish are algae eaters.
    • They obtain the algae by ripping small chunks of coral from a reef.
    • Many other herbivores thrive among the fish population.
    • Other herbivores include the Japanese angelfish, yellow bloth-rabbit fish, and tilapia.
  • Marine herbivores are found within four groups of species in the animal kingdom — invertebrates, fish, reptiles and mammals — and include zooplankton, mollusks, the green sea turtle, the marine iguana and some fish species.
    • Manatees and dugongs are the only herbivores among marine mammals. Their diet consists of water grasses, weeds, and algae. 
  • Snakes are reptiles, and most species of snakes will follow the general rules of reptilian reproduction — the mother will lay a clutch of eggs that will hatch into baby snakes.
    • Such snakes are referred to as oviparous.
    • A few exceptional species of snakes diverge from this general rule. They are referred to as viviparous, and they give birth to live young.
    • Both oviparous and viviparous snakes have uteri, or wombs; however, only viviparous snakes form placental attachments between their uteri and the developing fetuses.
    • Boa constrictors and green anacondas are two examples of viviparous snakes, meaning they give birth to live young with no eggs involved at any stage of development.