Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Salt-water crocodile is found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
2. Shrew and tapir are found in the Western Ghats of the Malabar region.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (UPSC Prelims 2008)
Answer: 1 only
Notes: Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are native to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, inhabiting coastal estuaries, mangroves, and rivers. Statement 2 is incorrect because while shrews occur in the Western Ghats, tapirs are not found in India, being native to Central/South America and Southeast Asia. No tapir species exist in the Western Ghats or mainland India according to mammal checklists.