Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Fox
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This general knowledge and reasoning question examines your understanding of basic animal classification, especially at the level of biological families. Such questions often appear in the general aptitude or general awareness sections of competitive exams.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
Tiger, jaguar, and leopard are all big cats, and they belong to the family Felidae. They share many characteristics such as retractile claws, cat like body structure, and similar hunting patterns. The fox, on the other hand, is a canid and belongs to the family Canidae, which also includes wolves and dogs. This difference in family classification helps identify the odd animal.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recognize that the tiger is a large cat and is scientifically classified under the family Felidae.
Step 2: Note that the jaguar is also a big cat from the same Felidae family, found primarily in the Americas.
Step 3: Observe that the leopard is another big cat species from the Felidae family, commonly found in parts of Africa and Asia.
Step 4: Identify that the fox is not a cat but a member of the dog family. It belongs to the family Canidae and has different physical and behavioral traits from big cats.
Step 5: Since three animals are big cats from the same biological family and one is a canid, the fox becomes the odd animal.
Verification / Alternative check:
An alternative way to see this is to compare typical physical features and hunting styles. Tigers, jaguars, and leopards share characteristics such as retractile claws, similar skull shapes, and predatory behavior that relies on stealth and pouncing. Foxes, however, resemble dogs in limb structure, facial features, and general movement, and their hunting style is more like that of smaller canids. This difference in behavior and appearance further confirms the classification difference.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may focus only on whether the animals are wild predators and miss the deeper classification into biological families. Since all four are carnivorous mammals, that criterion does not help distinguish them. Understanding that big cats are grouped together in one family and foxes in another allows you to make the correct choice consistently.
Final Answer:
Fox
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