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Discover Interesting Wildlife of India

Updated on October 6, 2022
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Uday works as a naturalist and birding guide in India. He handles package tours as a leader and a guide to many destinations................

Indian Wildlife

India has been fortunate in terms of geographical diversity. This has resulted in the evolution of spectacular life forms. It is endowed with a wide range of habitats that support diverse species pertaining to mammals, insects, reptiles, and the animal kingdom as a whole.

The country is home to more than three hundred and fifty mammals and about 1200 hundred bird species. Some of the most enchanting animals live here. There are many conservation units created by the Central and State Governments to protect endangered species that were once found abundant.

The most popular mammals in India are tiger, lion, rhino, elephant, bear, wild dog, leopard, snow leopard, clouded leopard, wolf, hyena; hangul, brow-antlered deer or Sangai, swamp deer, sambar deer, gazelle or chinkara; four-horned antelope, barking deer, mouse deer, hog deer, blue bull or nilgai; golden langur, lion-tailed macaque, bonnet macaque; Nilgiri langur, tahr, ibex, markhor....the list is far bigger.

India has marine biodiversity rich in aquatic life forms. The Chambal River Sanctuary & Vikramshila Dolphin Sanctuary are an example of aquatic biodiversity.

Bengal Tiger

 Tiger
Tiger | Source

Animal Pictures

Langur
Langur | Source
Bird: Blue Capped Rock Thrush
Bird: Blue Capped Rock Thrush | Source
Gaur
Gaur | Source

Wild Animal Images

Nilgai
Nilgai | Source
Sambar Deer
Sambar Deer | Source
Jungle Cat
Jungle Cat | Source

Indian Lion

 Lion
Lion | Source

Hard Ground Barasingha

Swamp Deer
Swamp Deer | Source

Rare Indian Wildlife & Protected Areas

India is a country that falls under different zoogeographical zones and hence is rich in flora and fauna. The mammalian species here are very high in number, they may be more than those found in Africa. Tiger rules the jungle and heads the food chain being a tertiary carnivore. It is a top predator and hence is considered an indicator species as well.

The most endangered animals are the tiger, leopard, Indian one-horned rhino, snow leopard, swamp deer, hangul, brow-antlered deer, musk deer, gharial, river dolphin, and wild ass. There are many animals in wild India that are on brink of extinction. It is crucial that wildlife management and conservation policies in the country are implemented properly to save endangered species.

There are more than three hundred fifty species of mammals in the country. The major predators or big cats are the Asiatic Lion, tiger, leopard, snow, and clouded leopard. The Indian cheetah has become extinct, but efforts are on to relocate them from Africa into sanctuaries in MP and Rajasthan States. Both deer and antelope species are found in India. There are many endemic species of reptiles, birds, and mammals not found anywhere else. The country is home to freshwater and saltwater crocodiles while the long snout Gharial is endemic and found only in the subcontinent.

There are many protected areas that conserve vital strands of fragile ecosystems. The endangered survive in these conservation units. The PAs are inviolate since no human habitation is allowed. Some of the prime destinations are mentioned below.

Kanha National Park is home to the Hard Ground Barasingha or the Swamp Deer, it was saved from the brink of extinction by great conservation efforts. The number has risen from 67 to over 350 animals now.

India is home to Asiatic Lion, which is found nowhere in Asia except Gir National Park in Gujarat State.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in the Western Ghats is home to the Nilgiri Langur. Poaching and deforestation have resulted in the decline of their population.

The Lion Tailed Macaque is found in the Silent Valley National Park in Kerala. These primates now survive in small pockets of Southern India.

Golden Langur is a primate inhabiting specific areas of Western Assam and Bhutan. This race is found only in this limited area and hence requires active conservation measures.

Indian Rhino is found in Assam at Kaziranga Tiger Reserve. Once widespread it is limited to a few pockets in that State. Conservation efforts have increased the population and they are being rehabilitated in their former ranges.

National Chambal River Sanctuary is one of the protected areas in India. It is home to the rare and endangered Gharial reptile and the Gangetic Dolphin. The river habitat spans many states of India.

Snow Leopard survives in the cold climes of the Himalayan Region. The animal faces severe persecution for its pelt.

Indian Elephant though not critically endangered is found in many places in North, Western and Southern India. The animal is facing many hurdles to survival due to poaching and habitat destruction.

Wild Animals Photo

Sloth Bear
Sloth Bear | Source
Jackal
Jackal | Source
Leopard
Leopard | Source
Crocodile
Crocodile | Source

Indian Wildlife Video

Wildlife Photos

Tiger Territory Marking
Tiger Territory Marking | Source
Tigers Mating
Tigers Mating | Source

Protected Areas

Most of the wildlife of India now survives in protected areas designated as National Parks and Sanctuaries with a relative degree of protection. National Parks are more privileged hence greater degree of protection is accorded to them. Those under the aegis of Project Tiger, a conservation program, are called tiger reserves. The main focus of attention in reserves is on the animal and their ecosystem.

The endangered animals of the country are the Asiatic lion, leopard, snow leopard, swamp deer, hangul, mouse deer, wild ass, wolf, and many more. The dwindling forest cover and habitat destruction have severely threatened the fauna. In spite of conservation efforts, wildlife is somehow surviving critically. Population pressure, exploitation of natural resources, poaching, wood logging, and more space for humans are some of the reasons.

Tiger numbers have come down from more than a hundred thousand to less than two thousand in recent times. The animal now survives only in protected areas where poaching at times takes a heavy toll. All tigers in Sariska and Panna were wiped out by poachers and the big cats had to be relocated from other parks in India.

Popular tiger reserves in India are

  • Kanha tiger reserve MP
  • Pench tiger reserve MP
  • Bandhavgarh tiger reserve MP
  • Corbett tiger reserve
  • Satpura tiger reserve
  • Ranthambhore tiger reserve
  • Periyar tiger reserve
  • Melghat tiger reserve
  • Sariska tiger reserve
  • Panna tiger reserve.

Leaving the last two, the reserves mentioned here have the highest density of big cats. They are the best places to see them in their natural home.

There are more than forty reserves in India. These are the only places where severely endangered animals hope to survive. Besides the reserves, the National Parks conserve many endangered species like rhinos and Wild elephants and some endemic species which survive in small niches.

Reserves have been created in the country to save the critically endangered tiger keeping other endangered species in focus. Since these are intact ecosystems with active conservation efforts and protection, all life forms flourish.

Elephant Safari Photo

Tiger Show on Elephant Back
Tiger Show on Elephant Back | Source
Wild Ass Little Rann of Kutch
Wild Ass Little Rann of Kutch | Source
Leopard
Leopard | Source
Rhesus Macaque
Rhesus Macaque | Source

WIld Animal Photo

Male Tiger
Male Tiger | Source
Tigress Cub
Tigress Cub | Source
Dhole
Dhole | Source

Fox

Indian Fox
Indian Fox | Source

Wild Dogs on KiIl

Wild Dogs on KiIl
Wild Dogs on KiIl | Source

Bird Photos

Peacock
Peacock | Source
Koklass Pheasant
Koklass Pheasant | Source
White Belled Minivet
White Belled Minivet | Source
wedge Tailed Green Pigeon
wedge Tailed Green Pigeon | Source
Chir Pheasant
Chir Pheasant | Source

Wildlife Tourism India

Wildlife in India is spread out across the states, as the keystone species' habitat may be far-flung. One has to travel a great distance to see interesting animals in the country. For many tourists, the distance may be discouraging hence organized package tours are the ideal way to travel.

The infrastructure is inept in many places due to them being far-flung in uninhabited regions. Nevertheless, a trek or a safari yields wonderful results. Most of the wildlife tourism destinations in India are out of bounds for trekking or independent exploration hence organized tourism is the only way to experience wildlife.

Necessary permits are required in many protected areas. One needs to obtain them at the respective offices near the reserves. Many reserves offer the option of booking permits online.


Our Feathered Friends

The country is home to a rich assemblage of avian species. Migration takes place from Europe, Africa, and many parts of Asia. Their checklist comprises many families taking the number to 2000 plus species which includes the subspecies. While the species number about 1300 which is thirteen percent of the total birds globally.

There are many places of interest for bird watching in India. These are spread all across the country. There are many tour operators who organize expeditions to these destinations.

Some of the most coveted avian species are:

  • Great Hornbill
  • Black Necked Crane
  • Tragopan
  • India Pitta
  • Great Bustard
  • Houbara Bustard
  • Greater Flamingo
  • Lesser Flamingo
  • White Winged Wood Duck
  • Asian Paradise Flycatcher
  • Peacock
  • Frogmouth
  • Jerdon' Courser
  • Indian Courser
  • Forest Spotted Owlet
  • Snow partridge,
  • Himalayan Snowcock,
  • Chukar Partridge
  • Himalayan Quail
  • Blue-breasted Quail
  • White-eared Pheasant
  • Blood Pheasant
  • Koklass Pheasant
  • Himalayan Monal
  • Sclater's Monal
  • Cheer Pheasant
  • Mrs. Hume's Pheasant
  • Greylag Goose
  • Bar Headed Goose
  • Northern pintail
  • Common goldeneye
  • Smew
  • Horned Grebe
  • Black-necked Grebe
  • Slender-billed Vulture
  • Himalayan Vulture
  • Griffon vulture,
  • Lammergeier
  • Ibisbill
  • Forktails
  • Sunbirds
  • Shore Birds
  • Wetland Species


The list is endless discover more birds in this: Checklist of Birds of India

Some of the popular destinations are Bharatpur, Little & Greater Rann of Kutch, Munnar, Nainital, Corbett, Pulicat Lake, and Nilgiri Hills, to name a few. Almost all the tiger reserves and National Parks in the country are excellent for bird watching.

Indian Rhino

Indian Rhinoceros
Indian Rhinoceros | Source

Indian Animal Choice

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Wild Boar

Wild Boar
Wild Boar | Source

Elephant Safari

Marine Fish

Katla Fish
Katla Fish | Source

Marine Biodiversity

India has a few Marine National Parks, these are at the Gulf of Kutch. The Marine Sanctuary Jamnagar and the Gulf of Mannar are well known. Mahatma Gandhi and Rani Jhansi Marine N.P, Button Islands National Parks, and Wandur National Park are situated in Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

The coast of Sunderbans and Bhitarkanika in the East are also habitats of marine life. They are the home of saltwater crocodiles. Most of the beaches in the country are habitats of sea creatures.

Indian Wolf

Indian Wolf
Indian Wolf | Source

Bison

Bison in the Meadow at Bandhavgarh
Bison in the Meadow at Bandhavgarh | Source

Tigers in Water

Tigers in Water at Bandhavgarh
Tigers in Water at Bandhavgarh | Source

Mongoose

Ruddy Mongoose
Ruddy Mongoose | Source

Wildlife Protection Act 1972

In order to stem the rot Wildlife Protection Act was formulated in the year 1972. This act prohibits hunting of all wild animals and birds in India.

Indian Tree Shrew

Indian Tree Shrew
Indian Tree Shrew | Source

Threats to Indian Wildlife

The threat arises not only from poaching but from large-scale industrialization as well. Illegal mining in many parts of India is causing the destruction of natural habitats like forests, rivers, grasslands, and deserts.

Wildlife Photos By Shivam Jar

Wolf Snake
Wolf Snake | Source
Chameleon
Chameleon | Source
Cobra
Cobra | Source
Python on Tree
Python on Tree | Source
Rat Snake
Rat Snake | Source
Turtle
Turtle | Source

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© 2008 Uday Patel

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