The correct option is (c).
Explanation
Organisms evolve specific physiological and morphological adaptations to survive in distinct biomes. The distinction between mountain habitats and desert habitats is based on climatic conditions such as temperature, precipitation, and terrain, which dictate the specific traits required for survival.
Statement-wise Analysis:
- Statement 1 is Incorrect. Yaks are not found in deserts (specifically hot deserts). They are endemic to high-altitude mountain regions such as the Himalayas and the Tibetan Plateau. While some of these high-altitude areas are technically "cold deserts" (e.g., Ladakh), in the context of habitat classification, Yaks are categorized as mountain animals, distinct from desert animals like camels.
- Statement 2 is Correct. Yaks possess long, shaggy hair and a thick woolly undercoat. This is a critical thermal adaptation that traps air to provide insulation, keeping the animal warm in freezing temperatures.
- Statement 3 is Correct. Yaks are highly adapted to mountain habitats. Beyond their coat, they have physiological adaptations such as larger lungs and hearts to absorb oxygen efficiently in the thin air of high altitudes, as well as hooves designed to grip rocky, uneven terrain.
Key Takeaway:
Yaks are specialized for cold, high-altitude mountain ecosystems, utilizing adaptations like thick fur and large lung capacity, which are distinct from the water-conservation adaptations seen in desert animals.