The correct option is (c).
Explanation
The Sahara Desert, the world's largest hot desert, hosts a variety of fauna adapted to extreme heat and aridity. These animals have evolved specific physiological and behavioral mechanisms to survive in water-scarce environments.
Analysis of the species:
- 1. Hyenas: Correct. Hyenas, particularly the Striped Hyena, are found in North Africa and are adapted to the arid environments of the Sahara. They are scavengers and predators capable of surviving in harsh conditions.
- 2. Jackals: Correct. The Golden Jackal is distributed across North Africa and is capable of thriving in desert landscapes, often found on the fringes of the Sahara.
- 3. Scorpions: Correct. Scorpions are arachnids well-suited to desert biomes. The Sahara is home to several species, including the highly venomous Deathstalker scorpion.
- 4. Yaks: Incorrect. The Yak (Bos grunniens) is a long-haired bovine found throughout the Himalayan region of south Central Asia, the Tibetan Plateau, and as far north as Mongolia and Russia. It is physiologically adapted to high altitudes and extreme cold, making it unsuited for hot desert environments like the Sahara.
Key Takeaway:
Fauna distribution is strictly determined by climatic adaptations; Yaks are endemic to cold, high-altitude biomes, whereas the Sahara supports xerocoles (desert-adapted animals) like hyenas, jackals, and scorpions.