Naan Mudhalvan & AICSCC

Environment Species for

UPSC Prelims 2025
 INDEX
TOPICS PAGE NO. TOPICS PAGE NO.
TERRESTRIAL ANIMALS • Golden Jackal 53
CAT FAMILY • Bacterian Camel 54
• Big Cats 3 • Dromedary 55
• Small Cats 10 • Kharai Camel 56
DEERS AND ANTELOPES
PIGS
• Antelopes 15
• Pygmy Hog 57
• Deer 19
• Indian Wild Boar 57
ELEPHANTS
• Indian Elephant 29 BEARS
RHINOSARUS • Sloth Bear 58
• Great One-Horned Rhino 31 • Red Panda 59
PRIMATES
• Slender Loris 34 BIRDS IN INDIA
• Old World Monkeys Vs New World Monkeys 35 BUSTARD SPECIES OF INDIA
• Apes 42 • Great Indian Bustard 61
• Orangutan 43
• Bengal Florican 62
MAMMALS 62
• Lessor Florican
• Indian Pangolin 44
• Indian Hedgehog 45 VULTURE SPECIES OF INDIA
• Malabar Civet 45 • White-Rumped Vulture 64
• Indian Wild Buffalo 46 • Red-Headed Vulture 64
• Indian Wild Ass 46 • Indian (Long-Billed) Vulture 65
• Nilgiri Tahr 47 • Slender-Billed Vulture 65
• Indian Bison 48
• Egyptian Vulture 66
• Himalayan Serow 49
• Himalayan (Griffon) Vulture 66
• Himalayan Yak 50
• Bearded Vulture 67
• Wild water buffalo 51
• Indian Dhole 52 • Cinereous Vulture 67
• Indian Fox 53 • (Eurasian) Griffon Vulture 68
CRANES DOLPHINS
• Siberian Crane 69 • Ganges River Dolphin 90
• Sarus Crane 69 • Indus River Dolphin 91
• Black Necked Crane 70 • Irrawaddy Dolphin 91
• Common Crane 70 • Humped back dolphin 92
• Demoiselle Crane 71 GHARIALS AND CROCODILES
• Fresh Water 95
BIRDS • Salt Water 96
• Painted Stork 72 MARINE MAMMALS
• Great Indian Hornbill 72 • Dugong 97
• Jerdon’s courser 73 • Sea Lion 97
• Himalayan quail 74 • Manatees 98
• Spot-billed Pelican 74 • Sea Horse 98
• Coppersmith Barbet 75 OTHER AQUATIC SPECIES
• Grey Chinned Minivet 75 • Blue Finned Mahseer & Golden Mahseer 99
• White Throated Redstart • Ghol or Black spotted Crocer 99
75
• Octopus 99
• Forest Owlet 75
MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES
• Indian Skimmer 76
• Western Tragopan 77 DUCKS
77 • Pink headed Duck 100
• Dodo
• Mandarin duck 100
• Mangrove Pitta Birds 78
• Black Ibis 78 SQUIRRELS
• Namdapha Flying Squirrel 102
• Ibisbill 79
• Indian giant flying squirrel 102
• Indian Nightjar 79
• Marmot 103
• Ceylon Frogmouth 80
BUTTERFLIES
MARINE SPECIES • Migratory Monarch Butterfly 104
• Golden Birdwing 104
TURTLES VS TORTOISE • Kaiser-i-Hind Butterfly 105
• Difference between Turtle and Tortoise 83 • Noble’s Helen butterfly 105
• Fresh Water Turtles 87 REPTILES
• Tortoise 89 • Monitor Lizard 106
• Geko 106
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CAT FAMILY

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 BIG CATS

Out of 7 big cats, India is home to 5: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and Cheetah (Puma and Jaguar is not present in India)

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SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

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Royal Bengal Tiger IUCN: Endangered
HABITAT:

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➢ They are primarily found in India but can also be found in small numbers in Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar,

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Bangladesh, and China. (India now accounts for about 70% of the world’s tiger population)
CHARACTERS:

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➢ Solitary and territorial animal, and the territory of an adult male may encompass territories of two to seven
females.

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➢ Stripes are individually as unique as human fingerprints.

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➢ It is the only tiger breed in the world that lives in mangrove forests and is commonly found in the

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Sundarbans mangroves in West Bengal.
➢ These creatures have six times the night vision of humans and five times the hearing.
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NOTE:
➢ White Tiger – Leucism (Genetic mutation) – Bandhavgarh National Park (M.P)
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➢ Black Tiger – Melanism (Genetic mutation) – Similipal Tiger Reserve (Oddisa)

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TYPES:

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Asiatic Lion IUCN: Endangered
HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION:
➢ At present Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary in Gujarat is the only abode of the Asiatic lion.

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➢ They live in a compact tract of dry deciduous forest and open grassy scrublands in southwestern part of
Saurashtra region of Gujarat.

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IN NEWS:
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➢ Outbreak of Canine Distemper Virus

➢ Translocation of 40 Lions to the Barda Wildlife Sanctuary (Gujarat)

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Leopard IUCN: Vulnerable
➢ It is widespread throughout the Indian subcontinent.
➢ They are the smallest of the big cats.

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➢ They are noted for their capacity to adapt to a range of environments.
➢ They are strong and agile predators capable of climbing trees and dragging their victim to safety.

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TYPES:

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Type of Leopard Distribution Special Feature

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Comman Indian India, Nepal, Bhutan and parts of Solitary Hunter, hunts during

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Leopard Pakistan. day.

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Snow Leopard It is native to the mountain ranges Snow leopard do not hibernate

of Central and South Asia. In India,

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it occurs in Himalayan region.

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Clouded Leopard It is the state animal of Meghalaya. Clouded leopards have a hyoid
bone so they can purr like small
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Distribution: Bangladesh,Bhutan,
cats, but they cannot roar like
China, India, Nepal and SE Asia.
otherlarge cats.
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NOTE:
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Black Panther - Melanistic (dark-colored) variation of either leopards or jaguars

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IN NEWS:
Status of Leopards in India 2022 - Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of leopards (3,907), followed by
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Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.

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Snow Leopard IUCN: Vulnerable
HABITAT:
➢ Largely found in the high altitude cold, arid and rugged terrains of Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,

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Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.
CHARACTERISTICS:

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➢ Known as ghost of the hills, because of their incredible natural camouflage.
➢ Flagship species for the high-altitude Himalayan ecosystem.

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➢ Snow leopards play a key role as a top predator, an indicator of the health of their high-altitude habitat, and

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an important indicator of the impacts of climate change on mountain environments.
➢ If snow leopards thrive, so will countless other species and the largest freshwater reservoirs of the planet.

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IN NEWS:

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➢ Report on the Status of Snow Leopards in India – The estimated population in different states are as
follows: Ladakh (477), Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21),

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and Jammu and Kashmir (9).

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Asiatic Cheetah IUCN: Critically Endangered
HABITAT:
➢ The cheetah population used to be fairly widespread.

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➢ The animal was found from Jaipur and Lucknow in the north to Mysore in the south, and from Kathiawar in
the west to Deogarh in the east.

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➢ The cheetah was officially declared extinct by the Indian government in 1952.
CHARCTERSTICS:

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➢ World’s fastest land mammal, capable of running at 80 to 128 km/h.

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➢ Diurnal i.e., they hunt during the day.
➢ Unlike other big cats (lions, tigers, etc.) don’t roar.

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➢ Gestation period- 93 days.

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➢ Live in three main social groups: females and their cubs, male coalitions, and solitary males.
➢ Females lead a nomadic life searching for prey in large home ranges

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➢ Males are more sedentary and instead establish much smaller territories.

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➢ Among large carnivores, conflicts with human interests are lowest for cheetahs, as they are not a threat to
humans and usually do not attack large livestock.
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IN NEWS:
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➢ 1 Year of Reintroduction of Cheetah in Kuno Wildlife Sanctuary
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SMALL CATS

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SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

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Pallas’s cat IUCN: Least concern
(Manul) HABITAT:

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➢ It has been recorded across a large areal extent, albeit in widely spaced sites in the Caucasus, Iranian
Plateau, Hindu Kush, parts of the Himalayas, Tibetan Plateau, Altai-Sayan region and South Siberian

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Mountains.

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➢ It inhabits rocky montane grasslands and shrublands, where the snow cover is below 15–20 cm (6–8 in).
CHARTERSTICS:

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➢ It finds shelter in rock crevices and burrows, and preys foremost on lagomorphs and rodents.
➢ The female gives birth to between two and six kittens in spring.

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IN NEWS:

Fishing Cat
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➢ First time, it has been discovered on Mount Everest in the Sagarmatha National Park in Nepal.
State Animal of West Bengal.
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(Baghrol) IUCN: Vulnerable
HABITAT:
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➢ They occur in wetlands like marshlands, mangroves and flooded forests in major South and Southeast
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Asian river basins starting from Indus in Pakistan till Mekong in Vietnam and in the island nations of Sri
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Lanka and Java.

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➢ In India, fishing cats are mainly found in the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, on the foothills of the

Himalayas along the Ganga and Brahmaputra River valleys and in the Western Ghats.

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 CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ It is almost twice the size of the house cat.
➢ They are an adept swimmer and enters water frequently to prey on fish as its name suggests.

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➢ They are nocturnal and apart from fish they also preys on frogs, crustaceans, snakes, birds, and
scavenges on carcasses of larger animals.

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➢ It is capable of breeding all year round.
IN NEWS:

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➢ World’s first Fishing Cat census conducted – The Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon,

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has 176 fishing cats

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Rusty – Spotted Cat IUCN: Near threatened
HABITAT:

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➢ This Cat is endemic to India and Sri Lanka, and has been reported mainly in the Western Ghats.
➢ It occurs mainly in moist and dry deciduous forests as well as scrub and grassland, but is likely absent in

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evergreen forest.

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➢ Eastern ghats, Gir NP, Tadoba-Andhari TR.
CHARACTERISTICS:
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➢ Smallest wild cat in Asia and shares its habitat with the tiger.
Clouded Leopard It is the State animal of Meghalaya.
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IUCN: Vulnerable
HABITAT:
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➢ It most often inhabits primary evergreen tropical forests and also lives in secondary forests, logged forests,
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dry tropical forests, grassland, mangrove swamp, scrubland, and coastal hardwood forest.
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➢ In India, it is found in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Meghalaya subtropical forests, Tripura, Mizoram,
Manipur, Assam, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

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 CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ Clouded leopards are stocky, larger than small cats, and smaller than large cats.
➢ The clouded leopard is categorised into two species: the mainland clouded leopard distributed from central

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Nepal to peninsular Malaysia, and the Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) native to Borneo and
Sumatra.

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➢ The mainland clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) is often likened to the Ice Age sabretooth because it has
the largest canines in proportion to its skull size among all cat species.

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➢ It also has rotating rear ankles that enable it to climb down head first from trees, unlike the other felines.

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➢ They seemed to go wherever they pleased without worrying about other predators, primarily because of
their ability to climb trees, even hang upside down from large branches.

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Caracal IUCN: Least Concern

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(Siya gosh) HABITAT:
➢ The most suitable habitat for caracals in Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh is located in Kutch, the

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Malwa Plateau, the Aravalli hill range and the Bundelkhand region,

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➢ It is found in several dozen countries across Africa, the Middle East, Central and South Asia.
➢ They live in woodlands, savannahs and in scrub forests
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CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ It is an elusive, primarily nocturnal animal which has traditionally been valued for its litheness and
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extraordinary ability to catch birds in flight.

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➢ It preys on hares, rodents, small antelopes, and birds.

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➢ Caracals are known to breed throughout the year.

IN NEWS:
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➢ Caracals on the brink of extinction in India - Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan and Kutch in
Gujarat are the last strongholds for caracals in India, hosting around 28 and 20 individuals, respectively.

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 DEERS AND ANTELOPES

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 ANTELOPES

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SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

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Indian Gazelle It is the State animal of Rajasthan.
(Chinkara) IUCN: Least concern

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DISTRIBUTION:

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➢ Native to Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India
➢ Deccan chinkara ranges from the Ganges Valley to Deccan Plateau.

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➢ Gujarat chinkara is found in the Thar Desert, Rann of Kutch, Kathiawar, and Saurashtra region.

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HABITAT:
➢ Arid forests and deserts.

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CHARCTERISTICS:

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➢ It is the smallest Asiatic antelope species.

➢ It is a shy species and avoids human habitation.

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➢ There are six subspecies. Of these, Deccan chinkara and Gujarat chinkara are found in India.
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➢ Covered with reddish brown smooth and glossy fur in Summer (in winter the shade becomes white)

➢ Reddish colour of the coat helps them in camouflaging in the grassland in order to hide from predators.
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➢ Live for a long time without water and survive on water obtained from leaves and plants.
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➢ When in danger, they stamp their fore foot and produce a sneeze like hiss.
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IN NEWS:
➢ Revered and considered sacred by the Bishnoi community of Rajasthan.

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Indian Antelope State animal of Punjab, Haryana and Andhra Pradesh
(Blackbuck) IUCN: Least concern
DISTRIBUTION:

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➢ Formerly widespread across almost the whole of the Indian subcontinent, they are now limited to only
small, scattered herds in Nepal, India and Pakistan.

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HABITAT:
➢ Prefers tropical and subtropical savanna/rangeland and grassland.

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➢ May also inhabit dry deciduous forest, woodland, semi-desert habitats, riverbanks and pasture.

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➢ It is also found at the foothills of the Himalayas where the climate is moderate and jungles are not very
dense.

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➢ In India, they are found predominantly in the states of Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan and Haryana.

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CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ They are seen in groups of 7-10. A mature female is generally the group leader.

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➢ It is diurnal (active mainly during the day).

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➢ They are the second fastest running animals on earth after cheetah.
➢ Their colouration depends on gender: the back, the sides, and the outer side of the legs are rich dark brown
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in males and yellowish in females.
IN NEWS:
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➢ Antelopes bone remains discovered in Dholavira and Mehrgarh.

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➢ Bishnois revere and care for the blackbuck.

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Four Horned Antelope IUCN: Vulnerable
(Chousingha) DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Presently it is confined to the Indian subcontinent.

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➢ Scattered between the foothills of the Himalayas in the north to the Deccan Plateau in the south.
HABITAT:

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➢ They are found in woodland areas throughout India.
CHARCTERISTICS:

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➢ They are the smallest antelopes found in Asia.

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➢ As the name suggests, Chousingha can be identified by the four horns, as against other bovids, which have
two horns.

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➢ They are usually diurnal and solitary by nature; however they can be spotted in loose groups of three to

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➢ Animals are sedentary, inhabiting more-or-less the same region throughout their lives.

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➢ They have a yellowish-brown to reddish coat and are slender, with small legs and a short tail.
IN NEWS:
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➢ As part of an animal exchange programme recently executed by the Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP)
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with Kakatiya Zoological Park in Warangal, IGZP has received two new species, Mouse Deer and
Chousingha.
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 Nilgai IUCN: Least concern
(Blue Bull) DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Found in Nepal, India and Pakistan.

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HABITAT:
➢ lightly wooded forest, wooded grassland, scrub areas and agricultural areas and human settlements.

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➢ Blue Bull usually avoids dense Forests
CHARCTERISTICS:

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➢ Largest Asian antelope (indigenous to the Indian subcontinent)

➢ In India, the nilgai shares its habitat with the four-horned antelope, chinkara, chital and blackbuck

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➢ It is a diurnal and social animal.

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➢ Sexual dimorphism is prominent.

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➢ Found in small herds of 4 to 20 (adult male is also seen alone wandering widely at old ages)

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➢ The nilgai can survive for long periods without water and does not drink regularly even in summer.

➢ Prefers herbs and grasses.

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MAJOR PROTECTED AREAS :
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➢ Gir National Park (Gujarat); Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha National Park, Pachmarhi Biosphere
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Reserve, Panna Tiger Reserve, Pench Tiger Reserve, Sanjay National Park, Satpura National Park (Madhya
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Pradesh); Tadoba Andhari Reserve (Maharashtra); Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, Sultanpur National
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Park in Gurgaon, Ranthambore National Park and Sariska Tiger Reserve (Rajasthan).

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DEER

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SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

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Swamp Deer State animal of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh

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(Barasingha) IUCN: Vulnerable
DISTRIBUTION:

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➢ Distributed in the Indian subcontinent but now extinct in Pakistan and Bangladesh
HABITAT:

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➢ Found in open forests and grasslands of India and Nepal

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CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ It eats predominantly wetland plants and herbaceous plants which are common in this deer’s natural
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➢ Three subspecies of swamp deer - western swamp deer found in Nepal, southern swamp deer found in
central and north India (Kanha National Park) and eastern swamp deer found in the Kaziranga and
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Dudhwa National Parks.

➢ Swamp deer are the largest deer species in India.
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➢ They are excellent swimmers and can easily cross rivers and swamps.
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➢ They are very shy animals and are difficult to see in the wild.
IN NEWS:
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➢ After the translocation program, the Manas National Park & Tiger Reserve announced that the
population of swamp deer at the park has witnessed a rise.

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Sambar Deer State animal of Odisha.
IUCN: Vulnerable
DISTRIBUTION:

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➢ Large deer native to the Indian subcontinent, South China and Southeast Asia.

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HABITAT:

➢ It inhabits tropical dry forests, tropical seasonal forests, subtropical mixed forests with stands of

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conifers.

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➢ The sambar prefers the dense cover of deciduous shrubs and grasses.

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CHARACTERISTICS:

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➢ They are quite elusive and are most active at dusk and at night (i.e) Nocturnal or crepuscular.

➢ These deer play an important role in the ecosystem they live in by dispersing seeds throughout their

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native range
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➢ They more commonly communicate by scent marking and foot stamping
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IN NEWS:
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➢ Recently, researchers discovered rare leucistic (partially white) sambar deer in the Cauvery Wildlife
Sanctuary
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Spotted Deer State animal of Telangana.
(Chital) IUCN: Least concern
DISTRIBUTION:

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➢ It is widely distributed in Asia, especially in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and a small group
in Pakistan.

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HABITAT:
➢ Subtropical grasslands and forests

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CHARACTERISTICS:

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➢ They are social animals. They commonly occur in herds of 10 to 50 individuals.

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➢ Chital forms matriarchal herds

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➢ It is sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females, and antlers are present only on males.

➢ Chitals are active throughout the day. They fall asleep a few hours before sunrise.

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➢ Common mynas are often attracted to the chital. An interesting relationship between herds of chital and
hatroops of the northern plains grey langurs (Chital benefit from the langurs' eyesight and ability to post a
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lookout from trees, while the langur benefit from the chital's strong sense of smell, both of which help
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keep a check on potential danger)

➢ Mainly feed on grasses (Chital in the Sunderbans may be omnivores).

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IN NEWS:
➢ As many as 40 spotted deer (axis axis) have been translocated from Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens
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(Mysuru Zoo) to the Panasoli range of Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR) recently.

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Kashmir Stag State animal of Jammu and Kashmir.
(Hangul) IUCN: Critically Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:

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➢ Subspecies of Central Asian red deer.
➢ Endemic to Kashmir and is now restricted to the Dachigam National Park. Previously, it was found in

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the mountains of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district.
HABITAT:

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➢ Inhabits mountainous areas; spends summers in alpine meadows and winters in valleys.

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CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ Only surviving Asiatic sub-species of the Red deer family. (elk)

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➢ This animal lives in herds of 15 - 18 Hanguls in dense forests, hills, and mountains.

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➢ The society of Kashmir stag is matriarchal.
➢ The main predators of the hangul are the snow leopard, the Indian leopard, the Indian wild dog(dhole),

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and the Himalayan Black Bear.

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IN NEWS:
➢ In a recent census conducted at Kashmir’s Dachigam National Park, it was found that the population of
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Hangul or Kashmiri Stag has gradually increased over time at the national park.
➢ IUCN declared the Hangul as one of three species that were critically endangered in Jammu and
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Kashmir. the other two are the Markhor (the world’s largest species of wild goat) and the Tibetan
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antelope or ‘Chiru’
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Brow – Antlered Deer State animal of Manipur
(Sangai) IUCN: Critically Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:

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➢ Native to Cambodia, China, India, Laos and Myanmar, these animals were earlier spread widely across
habitats in south and south-east Asia

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➢ It is found only in Keibul Lamjao National Park – the largest single mass of phumdi is in the Loktak
Lake – in Manipur’s Bishnupur district.

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HABITAT:

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➢ The deer’s habitat has varied from shrubland and grassland to dry forests and marshland.
➢ The brow-antlered deer usually consumes grass.

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CHARCTERISTICS:

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➢ It is also called a dancing deer.
➢ The Sangai deer has a very long brow line.

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➢ It has uniquely distinctive antlers that can reach a height of 1 m or 100 cm.

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➢ It was named the brow-antlered deer because the forward protruding beam of the antlers comes out
from its brow tine.
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➢ It is a medium-sized deer. The female Sangai deer is about 90-100cm in height, and the males are 115-
130cm in height. A male Sangai deer weighs 90-125kg, and a female weighs 60-80 kg.
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➢ Its dark, reddish brown winter coat progressively gets lighter towards the summer. It has an undefined
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rump patch and a short tail.

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➢ The female Sangai deer can reproduce all year.

IN NEWS:
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➢ The Manipur government has conveyed concerns to the Centre regarding a hydroelectric modernisation
plan in the state's renowned Loktak Lake.

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Indian chevrotain IUCN: Least Concern
(Mouse Deer) DISTRIBUTION:
➢ It is endemic to the Indian Subcontinent.

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➢ It is found mainly in rainforests of South Asia and Southeast Asia.
➢ It is found in India, Sri Lanka and possibly Nepal

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HABITAT:
➢ It prefers living in dense forests.

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➢ They are often found in evergreen, semi-evergreen and deciduous forests, as well as in grassland and

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commercial plantations.
CHARACTERISTICS:

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➢ It is the smallest deer in India and is highly nocturnal.

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➢ It is a rare species to spot in wild since it is very shy and of cryptic nature.
➢ The weight can reach between 3 to 4 kg.

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➢ The males have no antlers, like those of other deer, but have visible upper canines.

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➢ Most of the Chevrotains are digitigrades walking on toes only without letting heels to touch the ground.
➢ It forages on forest floor for fruits, roots, leaves and herbs.
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➢ It has occasionally been observed eating insects, crustaceans and even small mammals.
IN NEWS:
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➢ A rare Indian mouse deer or spotted Chevrotain has been seen in the Kanger Valley National Park in
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Chhattisgarh
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Musk Deer State animal of Uttarakhand
IUCN: Endangered (Note: Siberian Musk deer is Vulnerable)
DISTRIBUTION:

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➢ Can be seen in Mountainous regions from Siberia to Himalayan states such as Jammu and Kashmir,
Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh.

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HABITAT:

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➢ Their preferred habitats are alpine and subalpine zones, including oak, conifer, and rhododendron
forests in the Himalayas.

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➢ These environments provide the musk deer with the necessary cover and food sources to thrive in the
challenging conditions of high altitudes.

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CHARACTERISTICS:

an
➢ During the day they are shy and secretive, At night, they emerge to feed in more open habitats.
➢ Musk deer reach sexual maturity at 2 years of age and typically produce a single offspring, usually

lv
born in June or July.
➢ These animals have a lifespan of up to 20 years.

ha
➢ Communication among musk deer is primarily through olfaction; they use scent marking strategies
involving defecation and secretions from the caudal, musk, and interdigital glands to communicate.
ud
➢ India is home to four species of Musk Deer, all of which are distributed across the Himalayan region.
➢ These species include the Himalayan Musk Deer (Moschus leucogaster), the Kashmir Musk Deer
M

(Moschus cupreus), the Alpine Musk Deer (Moschus chrysogaster), and the Black Musk Deer
(Moschus fuscus).
n

➢ Similar to the mouse deer, these species do not possess antlers, setting them apart from many other deer
aa

species.
IN NEWS:
N

➢ The Musk Deer is poached for its musk pod. Musk pod is a sweet persistent aroma emitted by the
deer and is highly valued for its cosmetic and alleged pharmaceutical properties

- 25 -
Hog Deer IUCN: Endangered

DISTRIBUTION:

➢ It has a native geographic range throughout India, including the Himalayan foothill zone and Southeast

C
Asia, including Burma and Thailand.

SC
➢ Humans have introduced free-ranging populations of this deer in Sri Lanka, Australia and the United

C
States, including Texas, Florida, and Hawaii.

AI
HABITAT:

&
➢ It appears to prefer dense forests; however, they are often observed in clearings, grasslands and

an
occasionally wet grasslands.

➢ This variation is usually associated with time of year and food distribution

lv
CHARACTERISTICS:
ha
➢ It is a solitary creature but sometimes spotted feeding in small groups in open fields when food there
ud
is plentiful.
M

➢ For the most part it is sedentary and does not migrate.

➢ Males tend to be territorial and mark their territory with glandular secretions.
n
aa

➢ This species exhibits sexual dimorphism. The females are slightly smaller than males and lack antlers

IN NEWS:
N

➢ The hog deer has been spotted for the first time at the Rajaji Tiger Reserve in Uttarkhand

- 26 -
Indian Muntjac IUCN: Least Concern
(Barking Deer) DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Distributed throughout most of Peninsular India and the Terai, as well as in northeastern India and the

C
lower regions of the Himalayas.
HABITAT:

SC
➢ The Barking Deer is notably absent from certain regions within India, including Kutch, Saurashtra, and
the arid parts of northwestern India.

C
➢ This absence highlights the species’ preference for more moist and forested environments, as opposed

AI
to the dry and desert-like conditions prevalent in these areas.
CHARACTERISTICS:

&
➢ Barking Deer are not territorial creatures.

an
➢ An exceptional characteristic of the Barking Deer is its chromosomal makeup, setting it apart in the
mammalian world.

lv
➢ Males have a diploid chromosome number of seven, while females possess six, marking the species as

hahaving the lowest recorded chromosome number among mammals.

➢ Female Barking Deer do not possess antlers; instead, they feature bony frontal ridges, adding to their
ud
unique appearance.
M
n
aa
N

- 27 -
 N
aa
n
M
ud
ha
lv
an
ELEPHANTS

&
AI
C
SC
- 28 -
C
 SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES
Indian Elephant IUCN: Endangered (Note: African Elephant is Critically Endangered)
DISTRIBUTION

C
➢ Found in the central and southern Western Ghats, North East India, eastern India and northern

SC
India and in some parts of southern peninsular India.

HABITAT:

C
AI
➢ It inhabits grasslands, dry deciduous, moist deciduous, evergreen and semi-evergreen forests

CHARACTERISTICS:

&
➢ Within elephant herds, the largest and oldest female, known as the matriarch, assumes

an
leadership and decision-making responsibilities.

lv
➢ Asian elephants have the longest known gestational period among mammals, lasting up to 680

ha days (22 months).

ud
➢ Female elephants typically give birth to calves every four years between the ages of 14 and 45.

This interval increases to five years by age 52 and six years by age 60.
M

➢ Throughout Asia, elephants hold significant cultural importance and have a long history of close
n

association with humans, evolving into symbolic figures in various cultures.

aa
N

- 29 -
 N
aa
n
M
ud
ha
lv
an
RHINOSARUS

&
AI
C
SC
- 30 -
C
 SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
IUCN: Vulnerable

SC
Great One-Horned Rhino DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Indian rhinos once ranged across northern parts of the Indian subcontinent.

C
➢ Now they are confined to the Terai alluvial grasslands of India, Bhutan & Nepal.

AI
➢ Mainly found in the seven Protected Areas viz. - Kaziranga NP, Pobitara WLS, Orang NP, Manas

&
NP in Assam, Jaldapara NP and Gorumara NP in West Bengal and Dudhwa NP in Uttar Pradesh.

an
HABITAT:
➢ Tropical and Subtropical Savannas & Shrublands.

lv
CHARACTERISTICS:

ha
➢ Asia’s largest Rhino species and 4th largest land animal.

➢ Excellent swimmer and can run at a speed of 55 km/hr for short periods.
ud
➢ Solitary animal, though several may occupy the same patch of grassland or water source.
M

➢ Has incredible sense of hearing and smell, but eyesight is relatively poor.

➢ Gestation period is about 16 months.

n

NOTE:
aa

➢ One – horned Rhino is largest and Sumatran Rhino is the smallest species of Rhinoceros.
N

➢ African and Sumatran rhinoceros have two horns, while the others (Indian and Javan) have a
single horn.

- 31 -
 ➢ The Indian rhino’s horn is present in both males and females.

C
SC
C
AI
&
an
lv
ha
ud
IN NEWS:
M

➢ State of Rhino 2023 published by International Rhino Foundation.

➢ New Delhi declaration on Asian Rhinos.
n
aa
N

- 32 -
 N
aa
n
M
ud
ha
lv
an
PRIMATES

&
AI
C
SC
- 33 -
C
 SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
IUCN: Endangered
Slender Loris

SC
DISTRIBUTION:

➢ Native to India and Sri Lanka.

C
HABITAT:

AI
➢ Tropical scrub and deciduous forests and the dense hedgerow plantations bordering farmlands of Southern

&
India and Sri Lanka.

CHARCTERISTICS:

an
➢ Slender lorises spend most of their life in trees, traveling along the tops of branches with slow and precise

lv
movements.

ha
➢ They generally feed on insects, reptiles, plant shoots, and fruit.

➢ The species acts as a biological predator of pests in agricultural crops and benefits farmers.
ud

IN NEWS:
M

➢ Kaduvur slender loris sanctuary (Tamil Nadu)-(India’s first sanctuary for slender lorises)
n
aa
N

- 34 -
OLD WORLD MONKEYS VS NEW WORLD MONKEYS

C
SC
C
AI
&
an
lv
ha
ud
M
n
aa
N

- 35 -
 Old World Monkeys New World Monkeys
Aspect

C
Taxonomic Cercopithecidae. Cebidae, Callitrichidae, Atelidae, Pitheciidae, and Aotidae.
Family

SC
Geographic Africa and Asia. The Americas.
Origin

C
Relative Body Medium to large-sized. Small to medium-sized.

AI
Size

Diet Either herbivorous or omnivorous depending on the Varies a lot by species, but many are frugivorous or insectivorous.

&
subfamily.

an
Active Time All species are diurnal. All species are diurnal except for the 11 night monkey species (which
are nocturnal).

lv
Hands They possess nails and opposable thumbs. They possess no nails and non-opposable thumbs.

Tail Non-prehensile.
ha Prehensile or non-prehensile depending on the species.
ud
Eyes Trichromatic vision. Depending on the species and sex, vision can be monochromatic,
dichromatic, or trichromatic.
M

Nose Downward-facing nose and nostrils. Flat, broad nose with sideways-facing nostrils.

Sexual Behaviour Most species fall somwhere between polygynous and Smaller species tend to stick to monogamy, while larger ones are
n

polygynandrous. typically polygamous.

aa

Gestation Gestation period is typically around 5 to 7 months. Gestation period is, on average, about 5 months.
N

- 36 -
 SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES
OLD WORLD MONKEY

C
Lion Tailed Macaque IUCN: Endangered

SC
OTHER NAMES:
➢ Bearded Monkey, Wanderoo

C
DISTRIBUTION:

AI
➢ Lion Tailed Macaques are only found in India and live in the hills and mountains of the southwest
Western Ghats. Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu are mainly endemic to the small, highly

&
fragmented rainforests of the Western Ghats.
HABITAT:

an
➢ Silent Valley National Park in Kerala has the largest population of lion-tailed macaques in South

lv
India. (Others - Neyyar, peppara, shendurney WS)
CHARCTERISTICS:
ha
➢ Lion-tailed macaques are omnivores.
ud
➢ The lion-tailed macaque is diurnal and prefers the upper canopy of primary tropical evergreen
rainforest (arboreal living)
M

➢ Unlike other macaques, lion-tails avoid humans as much as possible.

➢ Silent Valley National Park in Kerala has the largest population of lion-tailed macaques in South
n

India. (Others - Neyyar, peppara, shendurney WS)

aa

➢ Males define the boundaries of their home ranges by calls.

➢ Their communication system contains as many as 17 vocalisations.
N

- 37 -
Gee’s Golden Langur IUCN: Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ It is limited to Assam, India and neighboring Bhutan where they live year-round.

C
➢ The area they inhabit is restricted to the region surrounded by four geographical landmarks: the
foothills of Bhutan (north), Manas river (east), Sankosh river (west), and Brahmaputra river (south).

SC
HABITAT:
➢ They occupy moist evergreen and tropical deciduous forests as well as some riverine areas and

C
savannas in Assam and Bhutan.

AI
➢ They are very much dependent on trees, living in the upper canopy of sub-tropical forests in the south
and in more temperate forests in the north.

&
➢ They may be found at elevations close to sea level in the south and up to 3000 m at the foothills of

an
Bhutan in the north.
CHARCTERISTICS:

lv
➢ It can be most easily recognized by the color of their fur, after which they are named.

ha
➢ It has been noted that their fur changes colors according to the seasons.
➢ The color of the young also differs from adults in that they are almost pure white.
ud
Capped Langur IUCN: Vulnerable
DISTRIBUTION:
M

➢ Bangladesh, Bhutan, India & Myanmar. In India, it occurs in NE India south of Brahmaputra River
n

HABITAT:
aa

➢ Subtropical or tropical dry forests.

CHARCTERISTICS:
N

➢ Capped Langurs are predominantly arboreal and usually found leaping through the forest canopy where
they also forage, rest, feed and play.

- 38 -
 ➢ They are a vocal species and have several different calls within their repertoire. These primates are
diurnal and mostly folivorous – they are most active during the day and their diet mainly consists of
leaves.

C
➢ They live in groups made up of roughly seven females and one male, and females often share the
responsibility of looking after each other’s infants

SC
Nilgiri Langur IUCN: Vulnerable

C
OTHER NAMES:

AI
➢ Indian Hooded Leaf Monkey, John’s Langur and Black Leaf Monkey

&
HABITAT:

➢ They only occur in the Western Ghats of southwestern India, next to the Mudahalli Elephant Corridor

an
➢ Endemic to the Nilgiri Hills.

lv
➢ It is attraction of Silent Valley NP of Kerala.

ha
CHARCTERISTICS:

➢ The troops mainly move in the late afternoon because the langurs begin to head to their sleeping areas,
ud
where they engage in social activities like play, grooming and infant-mother association as well as rest.
M

➢ Vocalisation plays a major role in establishing and maintaining the social hierarchies of groups, with

female-female interactions escalating into long screeching and squealing exchanges that are reconciled
n
aa

only when the male gives a specific call.

N

- 39 -
Hanuman Langur IUCN: Least Concern
OTHER NAMES:
➢ Bengal sacred langur/ northern plains gray langur

C
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ North India, Bhutan, Nepal.

SC
HABITAT:
➢ Subtropical, tropical moist, temperate, alpine, coniferous and broadleaf forests

C
CHARCTERISTICS:

AI
➢ In India, most langurs come under the genus Semnopithecus.
➢ The northern plains gray langur is diurnal, and is both terrestrial and arboreal.

&
➢ Northern plains gray langur often associated with chital deer. Both species respond to each other's

an
alarm calls.
Rhesus Monkey IUCN: Least concern

lv
DISTRIBUTION:

ha
➢ Natural range includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Southeast Asia, and China
CHACTERISTICS:
ud
➢ The law allows for it to be hunted by declaring it ‘vermin’ for a specific period if it poses a danger
M

to human life or property.

➢ The rhesus macaque is a terrestrial, arboreal, and diurnal mammal.
n

➢ Primarily herbivorous, consuming predominantly fruit, but also seeds, roots, buds, bark, and
aa

cereals.
➢ The social groups are matrilineal, whereby a female's rank is decided by the rank of her mother.
N

IN NEWS:
➢ Ministry of Environment has declared Rhesus Monkey as vermin.

- 40 -
 NEW WORLD MONKEY
Spider Monkey IUCN: Critically Endangered

DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ Found in tropical forests of Central and South America, from southern Mexico to Brazil

SC
CHACTERISTICS:

➢ Primarily eat fruits, but will also occasionally consume leaves, flowers, and insects.

C
➢ Strictly arboreal lifestyle.

AI
➢ Unlike many monkeys, they do not use their arms for balance when walking, instead relying on their

&
tails.

an
➢ Spider monkeys are diurnal.

➢ Grooming is not as important to social interaction, owing perhaps to a lack of thumbs.

lv
➢ Avoid the upper canopy of the trees.

ha
ud
M
n
aa
N

- 41 -
 APES
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
Hoolock Gibbon IUCN: Endangered

SC
DISTRIBUTION:

➢ It is native to eastern Bangladesh, Northeast India, Myanmar, and Southwest China.

C
HABITAT

AI
➢ They live in tropical and subtropical forests in the southeastern part of Asia

CHARCTERISTICS:

&
➢ Gibbons, known as the smallest and fastest of all apes.

an
➢ Hoolock gibbons are small apes, and the only apes present in India

lv
➢ They have high intelligence, distinct personalities, and strong family bonds similar to other apes.

ha
➢ They represent one of the 20 gibbon species found worldwide

IN NEWS:
ud
➢ Hollangapar Gibbon Wildlife Sanctuary: contains India's only gibbons – the hoolock gibbons, and Northeastern
M

India's only nocturnal primate – the Bengal slow loris.

➢ A study led by Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad scientists states that India has
n

only western hoolock gibbon (another species known as eastern hoolock gibbon is not found in India).
aa
N

- 42 -
 ORANGUTAN

SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

Orangutan IUCN: Bornean Orangutan – Endangered, Sumatran & Tapanuli Orangutan - Critically Endangered

C
(Man of the Forest) DISTRIBUTION:

SC
➢ Orangutans are great apes native to the rainforests of Indonesia and Malaysia.

C
➢ They are now found only in parts of Borneo and Sumatra.

AI
HABITAT:

&
➢ These are exclusively arboreal which means they live among the trees of tropical rainforests.

CHARCTERISTICS:

an
➢ They feast on wild fruits like lychees, and figs, and slurp water from holes in trees.

lv
➢ Orangutans can live up to 50 years, but they have a relatively low reproductive rate because females only

ha
give birth once every 5-10 years.

➢ Bornean and Sumatran orangutans differ a little in appearance and behaviour. While both have
ud
shaggy reddish fur, Sumatran orangutans have longer facial hair.
M

➢ Sumatran orangutans are reported to have closer social bonds than their Bornean cousins.

➢ Bornean orangutans are more likely to descend from the trees to move around on the ground.
n
aa
N

- 43 -
 MAMMALS
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
Indian Pangolin IUCN: Endangered, (Chinese Pangolin – Critically Endangered)

SC
DISTRIBUTION:

➢ It lives in India (south of the Himalayas), Bangladesh, Southern Nepal, Sri Lanka, and small

C
parts of Pakistan.

AI
HABITAT:

➢ It occurs in tropical forests, open land, grasslands, and degraded habitat, including in close

&
proximity to villages.

an
CHARACTERISTICS:

➢ Like other pangolins, it has large, overlapping scales on its body, which act as armor.

lv
ha
➢ The Indian pangolin’s armor is amongst the most effective in the mammalian world.

➢ It has about 13 rows of moveable sharp scales covering its body, which are shed periodically.
ud
➢ The colour of its scales varies depending on the colour of the earth in its surroundings.
M

➢ It can also curl itself into a ball as self-defense against predators.

n

➢ It is an insectivore feeding on ants and termites.

aa

➢ It is nocturnal and rests in deep burrows during the day.

N

IN NEWS:
➢ They are one of the most trafficked mammals in the world, despite an international ban on their trade.

- 44 -
Indian Hedgehog IUCN: Least Concern

DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ There are seventeen species of hedgehog found throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa,

SC
and New Zealand. However, there are no hedgehogs native to Australia and America.
HABITAT:

C
➢ It can be found in scrubland and broad-leaf evergreen forests

AI
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ Insectivorous spiny mammal.

&
➢ Very fast runners; mainly lives in sandy desert.

an
➢ Their most notable features are their spines, which are enlarged hollow hairs, and ability to roll
into a ball when frightened, presenting only these spines to the outside world.

lv
ha
IN NEWS:
➢ Mesechinus orientalis a new species of Hedgehog.
ud
➢ It is currently known from southern Anhui and northwestern Zhejiang, both in eastern China.

Malabar Civet IUCN: Critically Endangered

M

DISTRIBUTION:
➢ It is endemic to Western Ghats of India. (Kerala, Karnataka)
n
aa

HABITAT:
➢ They are mainly found in Wooded plains and hill slopes of evergreen rainforests.
N

CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ Malabar Civet is a nocturnal and elusive animal

- 45 -
Indian Wild Buffalo State Animal of Chhattisgarh

IUCN: Endangered

C
DISTRIBUTION:

SC
➢ Large bovine native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia (India, Nepal, Bhutan,

Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar)

C
AI
HABITAT:

➢ Wet grasslands, swamps, flood plains and densely vegetated river valleys

&
CHARCTERISTICS:

an
➢ The Indian Wild Buffalo is the state animal of Chhattisgarh (India) and is a large species of

lv
bovine native to the Indian Sub-continent and South East Asia.

ha
➢ They are both diurnal and nocturnal.
➢ They are seasonal breeders (some populations breed year-round).
ud
Indian Wild Ass IUCN: Near Threatened
M

(Khur)
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Native to South Asia (India and western Pakistan including Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Sind and
n

Baluchistan)
aa

HABITAT:
N

➢ Desert and grassland ecosystems.

- 46 -
 CHARCTERISTICS:

➢ One of the fastest of Indian animals.

C
➢ Distinctive white markings on the anterior part of the rump and on the posterior part of the

SC
shoulder and a stripe down the back that is bordered by white.
➢ Indian wild asses graze between dawn and dusk.

C
NOTE:

AI
➢ Largest population lies in the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, Little Rann of Kutch (GJ).

Nilgiri Tahr State Animal of Tamil Nadu

&
IUCN: Endangered

an
OTHER NAMES: Varaiaadu

lv
DISTRIBUTION:

ha
➢ Currently, the Nilgiri Thar distribution is along a narrow stretch of 400 km in the Western Ghats
between Nilgiris in the north and Kanyakumari hills in the south of the region.
ud
➢ Only two well-protected, large populations are documented -- one from the Nilgiris and the
M

other from the Anamalais, including the high ranges of Kerala.

➢ The Eravikulam National Park in Anamalai hills, Kerala, is home to the largest population of
n

the Nilgiri tahr

aa

HABITAT:
N

➢ The animal inhabits meadows with steep cliffs at elevations between 300 metres and 2,600
metres above sea level.

- 47 -
 HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE:

➢ There are multiple references to the Nilgiri Tahr in Tamil Sangam literature dating back to
2,000 years.

C
➢ The late Mesolithic (10,000-4,000 BC) paintings highlight the significance of the Tahr in

SC
folklore, culture and life.

C
Indian Bison State Animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.

AI
(Gaur) IUCN: Vulnerable

&
OTHER NAMES:

➢ Gayal, Mithun

an
DISTRIBUTION:

lv
➢ It is native to South Asia, SE Asia and East Asia. In India, it is found in parts of Himalayan
ha
foothills, NE India, Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats.
ud
HABITAT:

➢ Evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests.

M

CHARCTERISTICS:
n

➢ It is the largest among the wild cattle and the bovids.

aa

➢ The Mithun bovine has been classified as a food animal by the Food Safety and Standards
N

Authority of India.

- 48 -
 NOTE:

➢ It is an attraction of NPs of Wayanad, Nagarhole, Mudumalai & Bandipur.

C
➢ Trishna WLS in Tripura is the India’s only natural breeding centre of bisons.

SC
Himalayan Serow IUCN: Vulnerable

C
DISTRIBUTION:

AI
➢ They are known to be found in eastern, central, and western Himalayas, but not in the Trans

&
Himalayan region.

an
HABITAT:

lv
➢ They are herbivores and are typically found at altitudes between 2,000 metres and 4,000 metres
ha
(6,500 to 13,000 feet).
ud

CHARCTERISTICS:
M

➢ Himalayan Serow resembles a cross between a goat, a donkey, a cow, and a pig.
n
aa

➢ They are medium-sized mammal with a large head, thick neck, short limbs, long, mule-like
N

ears, and a coat of dark hair.

➢ There are several species of Serows, and all of them are found in Asia.

- 49 -
Himalayan Yak DISTRIBUTION:

➢ Endemic to the Tibetan Plateau and the adjacent high-altitude regions.

C
HABITAT:

SC
➢ Yaks are most comfortable above 14,000 feet. They climb to an elevation of 20,000 feet when
foraging and usually don't descend any lower than 12,000 feet.

C
➢ The yak-rearing states of India are Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh

AI
and Jammu & Kashmir.

&
CHARCTERISTICS:

an
➢ The Yak belongs to the Bovini tribe, which also includes bison, buffaloes, and cattle. It can
tolerate temperatures as low as-40 degrees Celsius.

lv
➢ Adapted for living at high altitudes, they have long hair that hangs off their sides like a
ha
curtain, sometimes touching the ground.
ud
➢ Yaks are highly valued by Himalayan peoples. According to Tibetan legend, the first yaks
M

were domesticated by Tibetan Buddhism founder Guru Rinpoche.

n

➢ They are also known as the lifeline of pastoral nomads in high altitudes of the Indian
aa

Himalayan region.
➢ Yaks are traditionally reared under a transhumance system which is primitive, unorganised and
N

full of hardship.

- 50 -
Wild Water Buffalo IUCN: Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Large bovine animals that are native to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

C
➢ They are one of the two species of buffalo that exist, the other being the domesticated water

SC
buffalo.
HABITAT:

C
➢ They prefer swampy and marshy habitats, such as grasslands, reed beds, and forests, near rivers,

AI
lakes, and other water bodies.
➢ They are typically found in areas with warm and humid climates, including India, Nepal,

&
Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Southeast Asia. In India, wild water buffaloes are found in the

an
northeastern states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, and Meghalaya.
CHARCTERISTICS:

lv
➢ Wild water buffaloes are large and stocky animals that can weigh up to 1200 kg.

ha
➢ They have a dark brown or black coat that is coarse and sparse, with tufts of hair on their
head and neck.
ud
➢ They also have large, curved horns that can span up to 2 meters.
➢ Wild water buffaloes are excellent swimmers and can move easily through water.
M

➢ Wild water buffaloes are social animals that live in herds of up to 30 individuals, typically
led by a dominant male.
n

➢ They are mostly active at dawn and dusk and spend most of their day resting and feeding.
aa

➢ They are herbivores and primarily feed on grasses, aquatic plants, and other vegetation.
N

➢ Wild water buffaloes are also known to wallow in mud and water, which helps them regulate
their body temperature and avoid parasites.

- 51 -
Indian Dhole IUCN: Endangered
OTHER NAMES:
(Wild dog)
➢ Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red wolf, red dog and mountain wolf.

C
DISTRIBUTION:

SC
➢ They are found throughout Eastern and Southeastern Asia.
➢ They can be seen as far north as Siberia, as far south as some Malaysian islands, and as far west

C
AI
as the Indian peninsula.
➢ They are found in three clusters across India, namely the Western and Eastern Ghats, the central

&
Indian landscape and North East India.

an
➢ The Western and Eastern Ghats is a stronghold region for dholes.
HABITAT:

lv
➢ Dholes are animals that inhabit dense jungles, steppes, mountains, scrub forests, and pine
ha
forests.
ud
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ They vary in colour from charcoal grey to rust red to sandy beige, depending on their habitat.
M

➢ Their tail is brushy and fox-like, often with a black tip.

n

➢ They do have lighter colouration along their chest, belly, and paws.
aa

➢ Dholes are highly social animals, and they frequently hunt in packs of 5 to 12. These clans may
N

grow to as many as 30 or 40 members.

- 52 -
 Indian Fox IUCN: Least concern

OTHER NAMES:

C
➢ Bengal fox

SC
DISTRIBUTION:

➢ Endemic to the Indian subcontinent.

C
AI
CHARCTERISTICS:

➢ This is a medium-sized fox with an elongated muzzle with black hair in small patches on the

&
upper part of the muzzle.

an
➢ Its large, bushy, black-tipped tail is its most prominent feature, accounting for as much as 60%
of the length of its body.

lv
Golden Jackal IUCN: Least Concern
ha
OTHER NAMES:
ud
➢ Asiatic Jackal , Common Jackal.
M

DISTRIBUTION:

➢ Southeast Europe, Central Asia

n
aa

➢ Few regions of South and Southeast Asia like India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar (for eg. Maharastra,
Gujarat), Western Asia
N

- 53 -
 HABITAT:

➢ They can live in a variety of natural habitat some of them are - Forested, Has scrub Savanna
type grassland Semi-arid or semi urban type In valleys

C
SC
CHARCTERISTICS:

➢ By nature these mammals are omnivorous and scavengers.

C
➢ They and can eat various small animals, fish, hares, birds, fruits etc.

AI
➢ Size wise they are little bigger than foxes but smaller than wolves.

&
Bacterian Camel IUCN: Critically Endangered
OTHER NAMES:

an
(Double Humped Camel) ➢ Mangolian Camel
DISTRIBUTION:

lv
➢ They are domesticated in steppes of Central Asia

ha
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ The Bactrian camel is the largest living camel.
ud
➢ Bactrian camels are resistant to cold, drought, and high altitudes.
➢ Bactrian camels have a remarkable ability to go without water sometimes for months at a
M

time, but they can drink up to 57 litres at once when water is available.
➢ Bactrian camels are also said to be great swimmers.
n

➢ The sense of sight is well-formed and Bactrian camels have an exceptionally strong sense of
aa

smell.
N

➢ It is estimated that the average Bactrian camel lifespan is up to 50 years, sometimes 20 to 40

years in captivity.

- 54 -
 Dromedary OTHER NAMES:

(Single Humped Camel) ➢ Arabian Camel or Desert Camel

C
DISTRIBUTION:

SC
➢ In the semi-arid to arid regions of the Old World, mostly in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula,

C
the domesticated dromedary is usually found, and a large feral population exists in Australia.

AI
CHARCTERISTICS:

&
➢ It is the tallest of the three camel species.

an
➢ Its long, curved body, narrow chest, single hump, and long hair on the throat, shoulders, and

hump are distinctive features of Dromedary species.

lv
ha
➢ The coat is a shade of brown in general.

➢ The hump is made of fat bound together by fibrous tissue, 20 cm high or more.
ud

➢ During daylight hours, dromedaries are primarily active.

M

➢ They form herds of approximately 20 males, led by a dominant male.

n

➢ This camel feeds on foliage and desert plants, allowing it to survive in its desert habitat through
aa

many adaptations, such as the ability to withstand losing more than 30% of its total water
N

content.

- 55 -
Kharai Camel IUCN: Endangered

OTHER NAMES:

C
➢ Swimming Camel

SC
HABITAT:

➢ Found in marshes and mangroves of Kutch

C
AI
CHARCTERISTICS:

➢ It is well adapted to the saline desert environment and is known for its ability to swim (hence

&
also known as ‘swimming camel’).

an
➢ They swim long distances in the sea to reach their grazing areas, usually more than 3 km at a
time, even in deep waters.

lv
➢ Kharai camels mostly feed on mangroves.
ha
➢ They are considered a unique Eco-tonal species as they survive in the dryland ecosystem as well
ud
as the coastal ecosystem.
M
n
aa
N

- 56 -
 PIGS
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES
IUCN: Endangered
Pygmy Hog

C
DISTRIBUTION:

SC
➢ Located across north India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
HABITAT:
➢ Found only in Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Assam.

C
CHARCTERISTICS:

AI
➢ World’s rarest and smallest wild pigs.
➢ Pygmy hogs are diurnal and omnivorous.

&
➢ Pygmy hogs are social animals that live in small family groups.
➢ Pygmy hog-sucking Louse is a critically endangered parasite that feeds only on Pygmy Hogs.

an
➢ Unique nesting behaviour - build its own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’, using dry grasses and vegetation.
➢ Indicator species - reflects the health of its primary habitat, the tall, wet grasslands of the region (commonly referred to as

lv
‘thatchland’).

Indian Wild Boar

(Andamanese or Moupin pig)

IUCN: Least Concern
OTHER NAMES: ha
ud
➢ Wild boar, wild hog, feral pig, feral hog, Old World swine, razorback, Eurasian wild boar, Russian wild boar
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Native to India, Nepal, Myanmar, western Thailand, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
M

CHARCTERISTICS:
n

➢ Largest of the wild pigs.

aa

➢ They are swift, nocturnal, and omnivorous and are good swimmers.
➢ They possess sharp tusks, and, although they are normally unaggressive, they can be dangerous.
N

IN NEWS:
➢ Kerala wants the Centre to declare the Wild Boar as Vermin

- 57 -
 BEARS

C
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

SC
Sloth Bear IUCN: Vulnerable
( Honey Bear)

C
DISTRIBUTION:

AI
➢ They mainly inhabit the region of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and presumably Bhutan.

HABITAT:

&
➢ They live in a variety of dry and moist forests and in some tall grasslands, where boulders, scattered shrubs and

an
trees provide shelter.

lv
CHARCTERISTICS:

ha
➢ They have long, shaggy dark brown or black fur and curved claws, which are the longest out of any of the bear
ud
species.

➢ Sloth bears do not hibernate.

M

➢ Nocturnal, solitary mammal that is native to the Indian subcontinent.

n
aa

IN NEWS:

➢ Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary in Karnataka, Ballari district, is Asia’s first sloth bear sanctuary.
N

- 58 -
Red Panda State Animal of Sikkim
IUCN: Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ Native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China.

SC
➢ Bhutan, India, Nepal, Myanmar and China. In India, it occurs in the states of Sikkim, WB, Arunachal Pradesh and

Meghalaya.

C
HABITAT:

AI
➢ Temperate montane forests with dense bamboo-thicket understorey

&
CHARCTERISTICS:

➢ Arboreal mammal

an
➢ An indicator species and an umbrella species(A species whose conservation confers protection to a large number

lv
of co-occurring species.) for the Himalayan Ecosystem.

ha
➢ It is not related to the giant panda.

➢ Though red panda is carnivorous, it rarely eats meat and bamboo constitute its main diet.
ud
➢ It is both nocturnal and crepuscular (active during twilight and dawn).
M

➢ It is solitary and largely arboreal (typically rests or sleeps)

n

IN NEWS:
aa

➢ 30 Years Project of Red Panda.(1994)

N

- 59 -
 N
aa
n
M
ud
ha
lv
an
&
AI
C
SC
- 60 -
C
 BUSTARD SPECIES OF INDIA
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
Great Indian Bustard State Bird of Rajasthan
IUCN: Critically Endangered

SC
OTHER NAMES:
➢ ‘Son Chiriya’ in Madhya Pradesh

C
➢ ‘Godawan’ in Rajasthan

AI
➢ ‘Maldhok’ in Maharashtra
DISTRIBUTION:

&
➢ Endemic to Indian Sub-continent, Rajasthan has the highest population.

an
HABITAT:
➢ Arid and semi-arid grasslands, open country with thorn scrub, tall grass interspersed with cultivation.

lv
➢ Avoids irrigated areas.
CHARCTERISTICS:
ha
➢ GIBs are considered the flagship bird species of grassland and hence barometers of the health of grassland ecosystems
ud
➢ They have poor frontal vision and have wide sideways vision to maximise predator detection
➢ One of the heaviest flying birds in the world.
M

➢ Reproduction: Females may breed as early as age two or three years, while males become sexually mature at age five or
n

six.
aa

➢ Few discernible patterns of migration have been observed among great Indian bustards outside of the breeding season
IMPORTANT CITIES:
N

➢ Desert National Park Sanctuary (Rajasthan), Naliya (Gujarat), Warora (Maharashtra) and Bellary (Karnataka), Great
Indian Bustard Sanctuary (Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard Sanctuary) Solapur, Maharashtra

- 61 -
Bengal Florican IUCN: Critically Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Native to the Indian subcontinent, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Mainly found in UP, Assam and Arunachal Pradesh and the

C
terai regions of Nepal.
HABITAT:

SC
➢ Grasslands interspersed with scrublands
CHARCTERISTICS:

C
➢ It is an iconic species of topmost conservation priority and it exhibits transboundary movements.

AI
➢ Bengal Florican is a rare bustard species that is well known for its mating dance.
➢ These birds have distinct appearances with features different among the male and female species .

&
➢ The male is black in color and has speckled brown back with white wings while the female is intricately patterned and

an
buffy brown in colour.
➢ The birds are normally silent but utter a chik-chik call when disturbed.

lv
IUCN: Endangered
Lessor Florican
DISTRIBUTION:
ha
➢ It is observed in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and some other regions during the monsoon season
ud
HABITAT:
➢ Though it prefers open, grassy landscapes, the Lesser Florican is generally seen resting within thick bushes during the
M

day.
➢ In non-breeding months, it can inhabit wooded lands and scrublands, along with grasslands.
n

➢ Occasionally, Lesser Floricans inhabit agricultural fields – generally of cotton, millet, and some cereal crops.
aa

CHARCTERISTICS:
N

➢ Impressive aerial courtship display

➢ Males’ leaps vertically in air about 500times/day.
➢ Emits frog like rattle to attract female

- 62 -
 VULTURE SPECIES OF INDIA

C
SC
C
AI
&
an
lv
ha
ud
M
n
aa
N

- 63 -
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES
White-Rumped Vulture IUCN: Critically Endangered
(White-backed Vulture or Oriental DISTRIBUTION:

C
White-backed Vulture) ➢ Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and southern Vietnam.
HABITAT:

SC
➢ Found mostly in plains and less frequently in hilly regions.
➢ It can also be seen in villages and cities near to cultivation.

C
CHARCTERISTICS:

AI
➢ It is a typical, medium-sized old world vulture, with an unfeathered head and neck, very broad wings, and short tail
feathers.

&
➢ It is also known as Indian White-backed Vulture or Oriental White-backed Vulture.

an
➢ There is a pale grey patch on the upper surface of the wings, visible when the wings are folded. The undersides of the
wings are a dark slate to brownish color.

lv
➢ Adults are 75 to 85 cm tall, their wing span is 180 to 210 cm, and their weight ranges from 3.5 to 7.5 kg.

ha
➢ The sexes are approximately equal in size.
➢ There is a pale grey patch on the upper surface of the wings, visible when the wings are folded. The undersides of the
ud
wings are a dark slate to brownish color.
Red-Headed Vulture IUCN: Critically Endangered
M

DISTRIBUTION:
➢ These red headed vulture species are distributed in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Bhutan in Indian Subcontinent.
n

➢ Small populations are present in Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia. It was previously present in South China, Thailand,
aa

Vietnam, Malaysia and Singapore.

HABITAT:
N

➢ The red-headed vulture prefers open country usually away from human habitation, well-wooded hills and dry deciduous
forest with rivers.

- 64 -
 CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ The red-headed vulture is a large bird, measuring 75 to 85 cm in length and weighing 3,500 to 5,500 grams.
➢ The wingspan is 200 to 230 cm.
➢ It is mainly black except for bare reddish head, neck and legs. It has a pale grey band at the base of the flight feathers.

C
➢ The male bird has a paler, whitish iris, while the female has dark brown iris.

SC
Indian (Long-Billed) Vulture IUCN: Critically Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ These are native to India, Pakistan, and Nepal.
HABITAT:

AI
➢ They are usually found in savannas and other open habitats around villages, cities, and near cultivated areas.
CHARCTERISTICS:

&
➢ The Indian vulture (Gyps indicus) is an Old World vulture native to Asia.
➢ They are also known as Indian long-billed vultures due to their comparatively longer beak.

an
➢ It is a medium-sized and bulky scavengers feeding mostly on the carcasses of dead animals.
➢ Females of this species are smaller than males.

lv
Slender-Billed Vulture IUCN: Critically Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:
ha
➢ They live in the sub-Himalayan areas and the Gangetic plains in the northern parts of India, where they are most
ud
frequently observed.
HABITAT:
M

➢ Grasslands and woodlands are preferred habitats for vultures.

CHARCTERISTICS:
n

➢ Their light underparts, long, slender necks, and dark, narrow bills serve as identifying features.
aa

➢ They are less frequent in places near human habitation than other vultures.
➢ They consume carrion, and huge flocks are frequently spotted close to carcasses.
N

➢ These vultures only migrate occasionally, primarily in pursuit of prey.

➢ Slender-billed Tall trees are where vultures build their nests.

- 65 -
 Egyptian Vulture IUCN: Endangered
HABITAT:
➢ They can presently be found in a few locations, mostly in open spaces, next to river banks, and near major waste

C
dumps.

SC
➢ Rockier terrain and coastal cliffs are their favored habitats.
CHARCTERISTICS:

C
➢ They can be recognized by their golden heads and white and black feathering. Although they typically eat carrion, they

AI
have also been observed to consume eggs, small birds, and discarded fruits.
➢ They snag little morsels of flesh with their delicate beaks.

&
➢ Egyptian vultures often construct their nests in caves, though they also do it sometimes on trees and structures.

an
Himalayan (Griffon) Vulture IUCN: Near Threatened
DISTRIBUTION:

lv
➢ It is native to the Himalayas ad Tibetan Plateau.
HABITAT:
ha
➢ These raptors like rocky terrain and high summits, and they spend most of their time living between 1200 and 5500
ud
meters above sea level.
CHARCTERISTICS:
M

➢ In contrast to the Griffon Vulture, these huge vultures have pale plumage and distinctive strong beak.
➢ Their white heads are another way to recognize them.
n

➢ It is uncommon to encounter Himalayan Griffons in close proximity to populated areas.

aa

➢ They primarily eat the carcasses of large mammals and keep an eye on other scavenging birds to find food sources.
N

➢ They often control feeding regions, live in tiny colonies, and keep other vultures from sharing the cadaver.
➢ The Himalayan Griffon constructs its nests inside of caverns and is reported to return to the same location.

- 66 -
 Bearded Vulture IUCN: Near Threatened
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ They are primarily observed in the Himalayan area of India.

C
HABITAT:
➢ Found in rocky areas and mountains, usually at elevations of more than a thousand meters.

SC
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ They can be recognized by their long tail feathers, red eye rings, and rust-like coloring on their face and body.

C
➢ Bearded vultures occasionally take live prey, contrary to popular belief.

AI
➢ They are known as "bone-eaters" because they mostly consume carrion and consume a lot of bones.
➢ In order to make the bones simpler to eat, they occasionally smash the bones against rough rock surfaces.

&
➢ They catch birds as well. Bearded Vultures construct their nests on cliff ledges or inside caves.

an
Cinereous Vulture IUCN: Near Threatened
OTHER NAMES:

lv
Eurasian Black Vulture, Monk Vulture, and Black Vulture
DISTRIBUTION:
ha
➢ Distributed throughout Eurasia
ud
HABITAT:
➢ Ecosystems of grasslands and woodlands, and they can be found mostly in the northern regions of the nation.
M

CHARCTERISTICS:
n

➢ One of the heaviest raptors in the world, may be recognized by their bald heads, dark plumage, and enormous beaks.
aa

➢ Due to the fact that these feathers mimic the hood of a monk's cloak, they are also known as Monk Vultures.
➢ They erect nests on cliffs and trees alike.
N

➢ The carrion of medium-sized and large-sized mammals is the primary food source for cinereous vultures, but they are
also known to occasionally hunt for live prey, including snakes.

- 67 -
(Eurasian) Griffon Vulture IUCN: Least Concerned

HABITAT:

➢ The rocky terrain and grasslands of India's northern and northwest as their homes.

C
SC
CHARCTERISTICS:

➢ They have tail feathers that are dark brown or black, a white throat, and light brown or grey fur.

C
AI
➢ Between rocks or in caverns, they erect nests that are protected.

➢ When consuming carrion, they are frequently spotted feasting alongside other vultures.

&
➢ They favor the softer sections of the meat on the carcasses of large mammals, which they primarily consume.

an
➢ When they share the carrion with other scavengers, their long necks help them to feed.

lv
ha
ud
M
n
aa
N

- 68 -
 CRANES
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
Siberian Crane IUCN: Critically Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:

SC
➢ It is resident of East and Central Asian Russia.
HABITAT:

C
AI
➢ It migrates to India during winter.Keoladeo NP, Rajasthan (formerly Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary) is famous for this
migratory bird.

&
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ It is the most aquatic among crane species.

an
➢ The most migratory species, mostly white in color with pinkish-white legs and red markings on its face and forehead.
➢ During flight, their black wingtips are noticeable.

lv
Sarus Crane IUCN: Vulnerable
DISTRIBUTION: ha
➢ Indian subcontinent(wetlands), SE Asia(forests), and Australia (Eucalyptus forests).
ud
HABITAT:
M

➢ In India, it is seen Himalayan foothills, Northwest India (except Thardesert), and Central India.
CHARCTERISTICS:
n

➢ Non-migratory crane, is the tallest flying bird in the world.

aa

➢ They mate for life.

➢ They are particularly well known for their magnificent courtship displays, in which the birds dance around one other
N

while flapping their big wings and bowing, stretching, and bobbing their long, graceful necks.
➢ Paddy fields in the northern and central regions of the country used to frequently be home to Sarus Cranes

- 69 -
 State Bird of UT of Ladakh
Black Necked Crane
IUCN: Near Threatened
DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ It is native to Ladakh (India), Sichuan (China) and Tibet.
HABITAT:

SC
➢ It migrates to Arunachal Pradesh (India) and Bhutan during winters.
CHARCTERISTICS:

C
➢ The medium-sized Black-necked Crane can be differentiated from the Common Crane, which has a similar appearance, by

AI
the dropping of black feathers above the tail area.
➢ The feathers of Common Cranes are grey in color.

&
IUCN: Least Concern

an
Common Crane
DISTRIBUTION:

lv
➢ Migratory birds with a vast geographic range. Early in September, they travel to their wintering locations in southern
Europe, regions of Africa, northern India, and Pakistan.
ha
➢ They also go back to their nesting sites in northern Europe and the Palearctic in the month of March.
ud
HABITAT:
➢ Swamps, rice fields, and floodplains are habitats for non-breeding and wintering species
M

CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ Common Cranes are medium-sized, 3-6kg weigh cranes.
n

➢ They are primarily grey in color, with a noticeable red crown and a white stripe along the neck.
aa

➢ Common Cranes are migratory birds with a vast geographic range. They frequently appear in big flocks.
N

- 70 -
 Demoiselle Crane IUCN: Least Concern
(Anthropoides virgo) DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Found all over the world.

C
➢ Their breeding range includes Mongolia and Central Asia, and their wintering range includes western India.
HABITAT:

SC
➢ Demoiselle Cranes favor grasslands near sources of water as their preferred breeding and wintering sites.
➢ They can also be found in deserts and areas with little vegetation that are close to water.

C
CHARCTERISTICS:

AI
➢ Demoiselle Cranes are the smallest species of crane, weighing about 2 to 3 kg and standing out for their long, black
necks and grey plumage.

&
➢ Their black wingtips are noticeable when in flight, just like Siberian Cranes.

an
lv
ha
ud
M
n
aa
N

- 71 -
 BIRDS

C
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

SC
IUCN: Near Threatened
Painted Stork
DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ Endemic to the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia.

AI
HABITAT:
➢ Freshwater marshes, lakes, flooded fields, irrigation canals, rivers, etc.;

&
➢ They are absent from very dry or desert regions, dense forests and the higher hill regions.
CHARCTERISTICS:

an
➢ Fish-eating bird.
➢ They are not migratory and only make short-distance movements

lv
IN NEWS:

ha
➢ Atapaka Bird Sanctuary at Kolleru Lake has become a safe breeding ground
ud
Great Indian Hornbill State Bird of Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh

IUCN: Vulnerable
M

DISTRIBUTION:
n

➢ Found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia.

aa

➢ In India, they are found in the Western Ghats and the northeastern states.
N

HABITAT:
➢ Great hornbills inhabit the canopy of tall evergreen forests.

- 72 -
 CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ Largest Hornbill in India.
➢ It is predominantly frugivorous (but can also prey on small mammals, reptiles and birds)

C
NOTE:

SC
➢ It is not a state bird of Nagaland although Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland (Often cited as “festival of all
festivals”)

C
➢ Logo of Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) is Great hornbill.

AI
➢ India - home to 9 species of Hornbill. All species except the Oriental pied hornbill are listed under Schedule I of the

&
Wildlife Protection Act (1972)
➢ Narcondam Hornbill (Vulnerable) is found only in the Narcondam Island of Andaman Sea.

an
Jerdon’s courser IUCN: Critically Endangered

lv
DISTRIBUTION:

ha
➢ Endemic to Andhra Pradesh, where it is principally known from southern Andhra Pradesh.
➢ It has an extremely limited geographical range being known from the Godaveri river valley near Sironcha and
ud
Bhadrachalam, and from the Cuddapah and Anantpur areas in the valley of the Pennar River
M

HABITAT:

➢ Prefers undisturbed scrub jungle with open areas.

n

CHARCTERISTICS:
aa

➢ It is a nocturnal bird.
N

➢ Flagship species for the extremely threatened scrub jungle

- 73 -
 Himalayan quail IUCN: Critically Endangered

DISTRIBUTION:

➢ Presumed to be extinct since no reliable records of sightings of this species exist after 1876.

C
SC
➢ Possible sighting of this species was reported in Nainital in 2003 known from only 2 locations in the western Himalayas in
Uttarakhand, Western Himalayas

C
HABITAT:

AI
➢ Prefers tall grass and scrub on steep hillsides in the Western Himalayas.

&
Spot-billed Pelican IUCN: Near Threatened

DISTRIBUTION:

an
➢ Large water bird found in the Indian subcontinent and SE Asia.

lv
HABITAT:

ha
➢ The main habitat is in shallow lowland freshwaters

CHARCTERISTICS:
ud
➢ Spot-billed pelicans are carnivorous and eat a diet of mainly fish.
M

IN NEWS:

➢ The Atapaka Bird Sanctuary, part of the Kolleru Lake, has been identified as the world’s largest home for the spot-
n
aa

billed pelican.
N

- 74 -
 Coppersmith Barbet IUCN: Least Concern

DISTRIBUTION:

➢ Also known as Crimson-breasted barbet is bird species found in the whole Indian Subcontinent and parts of Southeast

C
Asia.

SC
IUCN: Least Concern

C
Grey Chinned Minivet
DISTRIBUTION:

AI
➢ Found from the Himalayas to China, Taiwan and Southeast Asia.

&
HABITAT:
➢ Lives in the canopy of broadleaf forest and also coniferous forest.

an
IUCN: Least Concern
White Throated Redstart

lv
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and China.
HABITAT: ha
➢ Its natural habitat is temperate forests.
ud
M

IUCN: Endangered
Forest Owlet
DISTRIBUTION:
n

➢ Found in South Madhya Pradesh, northwest Maharashtra, and north-central Maharashtra.

aa

HABITAT:
➢ Prefers dry deciduous forests.
N

IN NEWS:

➢ Recently reclassified from Critically Endangered to Endangered.

- 75 -
Indian Skimmer IUCN: Endangered

OTHER NAMES:

➢ Indian scissors-bill

C
SC
DISTRIBUTION:

➢ These skimmer species were distributed in north Indian rivers, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Cambodia,

C
Laos and Vietnam.

AI
➢ Now, much of the population is confined to north Indian River systems and Pakistan.

&
➢ About 20% of the total population nest along river Chambal.

HABITAT:

an
➢ It occurs primarily on larger, sandy, lowland rivers, around lakes and adjacent marshes and, in the non-breeding season, in

lv
estuaries and coasts.

CHARCTERISTICS:
ha
➢ It measures 40 to 43 cm in length and has a wingspan of 110 cm.
ud
➢ The overall plumage is white on the underside and black on the upper side.
M

➢ The forehead and the collar are white, and the crown is black.

➢ The tail is short and forked. The central tail feathers are black.
n
aa

➢ The bill is long and thick. It is colored bright orange with a yellow tip.

➢ Diet: Small fish, crustaceans, aquatic insects and insect larvae

N

IN NEWS:
➢ Recently spotted along the Ghaghra River at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

- 76 -
 State Bird of Himachal Pradesh
Western Tragopan
IUCN: Vulnerable
DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ Endemic to the northwest Himalaya, within a narrow range of north Pakistan through Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal

SC
Pradesh, to the western part of Garhwal
HABITAT:

C
➢ During the breeding season (April-June), it inhabits little-disturbed temperate coniferous and deciduous forests.

AI
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ Feeds mostly on leaves, shoots and seeds, but also consumes insects and other invertebrates.

&
IN NEWS:
➢ A gradual increase in the population of the bird species was observed in Himachal Pradesh’s Sarahan pheasantry

an
IUCN: Extinct
Dodo
HABITAT:

lv
➢ Were endemic to the island of Mauritius
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ Flightless birds
ha
ud
➢ Related to pigeons and the closest living relative of the dodo is the Nicobar pigeon.
➢ Believed to have used gizzard stones to help its digestion.
M

IN NEWS:
n

➢ Geneticists and conservationists have joined forces to re-introduce the Dodo, extinct since the late 17th century.
aa
N

- 77 -
Mangrove Pitta Birds IUCN: Near Threatened

DISTRIBUTION:

➢ Found in the eastern part of India especially in Odisha and West Bengal along with countries like Myanmar, Bangladesh,

C
Malaysia, Singapore etc.

SC
HABITAT:

C
➢ It is found in mangrove and nipa palm forests where it feeds on crustaceans, mollusks and insects.

AI
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ Small secretive birds, measuring 17 to 19 cm in length and weighing 45 to 65 grams.

&
➢ Usually feeds on insects and other small invertebrates.

an
➢ A ground forager (an animal that searches widely for food)
IN NEWS:

lv
➢ A first-ever census of mangrove pitta birds was carried out in Odisha and around 179 birds were sighted.

Black Ibis
ha
IUCN: Near Threatened
ud
DISTRIBUTION:

➢ It is found in South- and Southeast Asia from India to the west and as far east as Japan.
M

HABITAT:
n

➢ They are found primarily around wetlands including agricultural fields and occasionally around coastal areas.
aa

CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ It is a large wader bird with a white body and bare black head and neck.
N

➢ Males and females look similar and both have greyish tail feathers.
➢ These are called wader birds due to their adaptability to a wide variety of aquatic environments.

- 78 -
 IUCN: Least Concern
Ibisbill
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ It is found in the Himalayan region, from Afghanistan to Bhutan, and also in the mountainous areas of central and western

C
China.

SC
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ Ibisbill is the only member of the family Ibidorhynchidae and the genus Ibidorhyncha.
➢ It is considered to be a “living fossil” because it is the only surviving member of its family, which dates back to the Paleogene

C
period, about 60 million years ago.

AI
➢ Ibisbill has a distinct appearance with a long, down-curved bill, grey-brown plumage, and a white belly. It has a striking
black and white pattern on its wings and tail, and its legs are pinkish.

&
➢ Solitary birds and are usually seen alone or in pairs.

an
➢ They are active during the day and are known for their distinctive calls, which are loud and far-carrying.
IUCN: Least Concern
Indian Nightjar

lv
DISTRIBUTION:

ha
➢ These nightjar species are distributed in Afghanistan, Iran, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam
and Laos.
ud
HABITAT:
➢ The species is found in open woodland, scrub, and cultivation. It usually sits on the ground or low trees and is not found on
M

high perches.
CHARCTERISTICS:
n

➢ The Indian nightjar is a small nightjar which is a resident breeder in open lands across South Asia and Southeast Asia.
aa

➢ The Indian nightjar species are nocturnal birds with long pointed wings and short legs
➢ Nightjar is sometimes known as “goat sucker” referring to the myth that these sweet-looking birds sucked on the milk
N

of goats by night. While untrue, nightjars probably got this reputation for the close contact they had with goats while
feeding on nearby insects.

- 79 -
Ceylon Frogmouth IUCN: Least Concern

DISTRIBUTION:

➢ The bird has a unique habitat in Sri Lanka and is also believed to be present in the Thattekad bird sanctuary (Kerala). It is

C
also found in Karnataka, Goa, and Maharashtra.

SC
HABITAT:

C
➢ Its preferred habitat is a dry and open area with some small trees or bushes.

AI
➢ It usually rests on small tree branches during daytime.

&
CHARCTERISTICS:

➢ It is a relative of Nightjar, a crepuscular and nocturnal bird breeding in Europe and temperate Asia.

an
➢ The bird, like the Nightjar, eats insects and mainly seeks prey during night time.

lv
IN NEWS:

ha
➢ It is usually found on the western side of the Western Ghats.
ud
➢ However, its spotting in the Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is the first instance of being found on the eastern side of the
Western Ghats.
M
n
aa
N

- 80 -
 N
aa
n
M
ud
ha
lv
an
&
AI
C
SC
- 81 -
C
 MARINE ANIMALS

TURTLES VS TORTOISE

C
SC
C
AI
&
an
lv
ha
ud
M
n
aa
N

- 82 -
 N
aa
n
M
ud
ha
lv
an
&
AI
C
SC
- 83 -
C
 SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES
Green Turtle IUCN: Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ It is mainly in tropical and subtropical waters.
CHARTERSTICS:

SC
➢ Only Herbivore among the turtle.
➢ They are greenish color of their cartilage and fat, not their shells.

C
➢ In the Eastern Pacific, a group of green turtles that have darker shells are called black turtles.

AI
➢ They graze on seagrasses and algae, which maintains the seagrass beds and makes them more productive.

&
➢ These species migrate long distances between feeding grounds and the beaches from where they hatched.
➢ They are potentially particularly susceptible, as the sex of their offspring is dependent on incubation temperature.

an
IN NEWS:
➢ Rising global temperatures could lead to an increase in the nesting range of green turtles in the Mediterranean Sea.

lv
Hawksbill Turtle IUCN: Critically Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:
ha
➢ Found in tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
ud
HABITAT:
➢ Typically found around coastal reefs, rocky areas, estuaries, and lagoons.
M

CHARACTERISTICS:
n

➢ Typically found around coastal reefs, rocky areas, estuaries, and lagoons.
aa

➢ Hawksbills are solitary nesters, they nest at intervals of 2-3 years, about 2 to 4 times per season.
In NEWS:
N

➢ Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP14) adopted a Single Species Action
Plan to conserve the Hawksbill Turtle in South-East Asia and the Western Pacific Ocean Region.

- 84 -
Leatherback Turtle IUCN: Vulnerable
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ It is found in every ocean except the Arctic and Antarctic.

C
CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ It is the largest turtle in the world.

SC
➢ It is the only species of sea turtle that lack scales and a hard shell.
➢ They are named for their tough rubbery skin and have existed in their current form since the age of the dinosaurs.

C
➢ These turtles are highly migratory which can swim over 10,000 miles a year between nesting and foraging grounds.

AI
➢ They are also accomplished divers with the deepest recorded dive reaching nearly 4,000 feet deeper than most marine
mammals.

&
➢ It has a unique thermoregulatory adaptation allows them to maintain core body temperatures at extremely cold depths.

an
IN NEWS:
➢ a leatherback sea turtle was seen after a gap of seven years in Visakhapatnam

lv
Loggerhead Turtle IUCN: Vulnerable
DISTRIBUTION:
ha
➢ The loggerhead sea turtle occurs all over the temperate and tropical regions of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans.
ud
CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ Primarily carnivorous, loggerheads feed on shellfish that inhabit the bottom of the ocean which can be easily crushed
M

with their powerful jaws.

n

➢ They also feed on horseshoe crabs, clams, mussels and other invertebrates.
aa

➢ The average interval between nesting seasons is 2 to 3 years, but this can vary from 1 to 6 years.
➢ The loggerhead mating season is from late March to early June and they prefer to nest during the night.
N

- 85 -
Olive Ridly Turtle IUCN: Vulnerable
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ They are mainly found in the warm waters of the Pacific,

C
➢ Atlantic, and Indian oceans.

SC
➢ Odisha’s Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is known as the world’s largest rookery (a colony of breeding
animals) of sea turtles.

C
CHARACTERISTICS:

AI
➢ They are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles found in the world.

&
➢ It gets its name from the olive green colouration of its carapace (shell).
➢ They have one to two visible claws on each of their paddle-like flippers.

an
➢ They are omnivorous, meaning they feed on both plants and animals.

lv
➢ They are solitary, preferring the open ocean.

ha
➢ These turtles spend their entire lives in the ocean, and migrate thousands of kilometers between feeding and mating
grounds in the course of a year.
ud
IN NEWS:
➢ The Andhra Pradesh government recently imposed a month-long ban on fishing in the 5-km radius of Hope Island to
M

prevent the death of Olive Ridley turtles off Kakinada coast.

n
aa
N

- 86 -
 FRESH WATER TURTLES
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
Red crowned roof turtle IUCN: Critically Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:

SC
(Batagur Kachuga)
➢ It is native to India, Bangladesh and Nepal. Historically, the species was widespread in the Ganga River, both in India
and Bangladesh.

C
➢ It also occurs in the Brahmaputra basin. Currently in India, the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary is the only

AI
area with substantial population of the species.
HABITAT:

&
➢ Found in deep flowing rivers with terrestrial nesting sites

an
CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ In comparison to their female counterparts, the males are shorter and reach only half their length.

lv
Leith’s Softshell turtle IUCN: Critically Endangered

DISTRIBUTION: ha
ud
➢ Restricted to southern peninsular India (Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa,

and Tamil Nadu) in the Cauvery, Thungabhadra, Ghataprabha, Bhavani, Godavari, and Moyar drainages.
M

HABITAT:
n

➢ At present in India, the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary is the only geographic area where the species is
aa

found in substantial numbers.

N

CHARACTERISTICS:

➢ Llarge fresh water soft-shelled turtle which is endemic to peninsular India and it inhabits rivers and reservoirs.

- 87 -
Northern River terrapin IUCN: Critically Endangered
(batagur baska) DISTRIBUTION:
➢ The species is currently found in Bangladesh and India (in the Sundarbans), Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia.

C
CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ It is one of Asia's largest freshwaters and backwater turtles, reaching a carapace length of up to 60 cm and a maximum

SC
weight of 18 kg. Its carapace is moderately depressed.
➢ It is strongly aquatic but uses terrestrial nesting sites, frequenting the tidal areas of estuaries, large rivers, and

C
mangrove forests.

AI
Indian roofed turtle IUCN: Vulnerable

&
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ It is found in the major rivers of South Asian countries (Ganges, Brahmaputra and Indus River drainages) in the

an
Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

lv
CHARACTERISTICS:

ha
➢ Indian roofed turtles are active during the day and love basking in the early morning sun.
➢ Basking helps them to maintain their body temperature as well as for the synthesis of Vitamin D.
ud
➢ Indian roofed turtles are generally solitary creatures.
➢ Indian roofed turtles are omnivores and scavengers. They feed on aquatic plants, like water hyacinths and weeds, and
M

animal prey such as crabs and snails.

n
aa
N

- 88 -
 TORTOISE

SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
Indian Star Tortoise IUCN: Vulnerable

SC
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Indian star tortoises are found across the Indian subcontinent, more specifically, in the Central and Southern parts of

C
India, in West Pakistan and in Sri Lanka.

AI
HABITAT:
➢ It is typically found in dry, open habitats such as scrub forests, grasslands, and rocky outcroppings.

&
CHARTERSTICS:
➢ Males have a long tail, while females have short and stubby tails.

an
➢ Indian star tortoise is a diurnal animal that is mostly active in the morning and late in the afternoon.
➢ Behaviour and Temperament: Indian star tortoises do not like being handled. They can get stressed out and get ill if

lv
handled frequently.

ha
➢ Food Habits: Star tortoises are herbivores. They need plenty of fresh and dark leafy greens and grasses.
ud
M
n
aa
N

- 89 -
 DOLPHINS

SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
Ganges River Dolphin India’s National Aquatic Animal

SC
IUCN: Endangered

C
COMMON NAME:

AI
➢ Blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, hihu, side-swimming dolphin, South Asian River Dolphin
DISTRIBUTION:

&
➢ It is found in the Ganga -Brahmaputra - Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu River systems of India and

an
Bangladesh, while a few individuals survive in the Karnali, and the Sapta Kosi Rivers in Nepal

lv
CHARTERSTICS:

ha
➢ A long thin snout, rounded belly, stocky body and large flippers are characteristics of the Ganges River
ud
dolphin.
➢ It feeds majorly on fishes and is are usually found in counter-current systems of the main river channel.
M

➢ Its eyes lack lens, and as a result, this species is also referred to as the "blind dolphin".
➢ They have a highly developed bio-sonar system that facilitates them to hunt for fish even in murky waters.
n
aa

➢ Being a mammal, the Ganges River dolphin cannot breathe in the water and must surface every 30-
120 second
N

- 90 -
Indus River Dolphin State aquatic animal of Punjab
IUCN: Endangered
COMMON NAME:
➢ BHULAN

C
DISTRIBUTION:

SC
➢ They can only be found in the lower parts ofthe Indus River in Pakistan and in River Beas
HABITAT:

C
➢ Indus river dolphins are one of only four river dolphin species and subspecies in the world that spend all

AI
of their lives in freshwater.
CHARACTERISTICS:

&
➢ Indus Dolphins are brown/grey in colour.
➢ They are functionally blind and rely on echolocation to navigate, communicate and hunt prey including

an
prawns, catfish and carp.
➢ They live for at least for 30 years and grow over 2 metres in length.

lv
Irrawaddy Dolphin IUCN: Endangered

ha
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ Besides the Irrawaddy River, it is also found in India’s Ganges, Chilika Lake and SoutheastAsia’s Mekong
ud
River.
HABITAT:
M

➢ Lakes, Rivers, Estuaries, and Coasts

CHARACTERISTICS:
n

➢ Irrawaddy dolphins have short round heads without a beak, giving them expressive-looking faces. Their
aa

flexible necks allow greater head movement while echolocating.

➢ They have a grey coloration overall, with a lighter grey belly, and grow around 2-2.75m long and 90-
N

200kg in weight.

- 91 -
 ➢ Unlike most dolphins, Irrawaddy dolphins have large paddle-shaped flippers and tail fins. These help
them maneuver in shallow muddy river waters. Their distinct look helps identify them in the wild.
Humped back dolphin IUCN: Endangered
DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ coastal waters of South Africa in the south, northwards around the coast of East Africa, throughout the

SC
Middle East, and the west coast of India.
HABITAT:

C
➢ The Indian Ocean Humpback Dolphin occurs within the Indian Ocean from South Africa to India.

AI
➢ These dolphins usually live in shallow, coastal waters.
➢ The habitat preference of the dolphins for shallow waters places them in some of the world’s most

&
intensively utilized, fished, shipped, modified and polluted waters.

an
CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ The adult humpback dolphins are pink in colour.

lv
➢ The baby humpback dolphins are dark grey in colour.

ha
➢ The pinkish complexion is because of their well-developed blood vessels.
➢ the Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins cannot keep their body temperatures under a control after a certain
ud
limit.
➢ They maintain thermal equilibrium with the environment by adjusting their body temperature.
M
n
aa
N

- 92 -
 GHARIALS AND CROCODILES

C
SC
C
AI
&
an
lv
ha
ud
M
n
aa
N

- 93 -
 N
aa
n
M
ud
ha
lv
an
&
AI
C
SC
- 94 -
C
 SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES
FRESH WATER
Gharial IUCN: Critically Endangered

DISTRIBUTION:

C
SC
➢ Globally Gharial is found only in India and Nepal.

➢ In India their major population occur in three tributaries of the Ganga River: the Chambal and the

C
Girwa Rivers in India and the Rapti-Naryani River in Nepal.

AI
➢ The Gharial reserves of India are located in three States – Uttar Pradesh, Madhya

Pradesh and Rajasthan.

&
IN NEWS:

an
➢ Breeding Centres of Kukrail Gharial Rehabilitation Centre in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh

lv
Mugger crocodile IUCN: Vulnerable

ha
DISTRIBUTION:

➢ The mugger is found in 15 Indian states, with the largest populations in the middle Ganges (Bihar-
ud
Jharkhand)and Chambal (Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan) basins.
M

HABITAT:

➢ Restricted to the Indian subcontinent where it may be found in a number of fresh water habitat types
n

and also in coastal saltwater lagoons and estuaries

aa

IN NEWS:
N

➢ Sand mining pose a threat to the mugger crocodiles of the Rapti River flowing along the

Chitwan National Park.

- 95 -
 SALTWATER
Saltwater Crocodile IUCN: Least Concern
DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ Found in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park, the Sundarbans in West Bengal and the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.

SC
HABITAT:

C
➢ Also found across Southeast Asia and northern Australia.

AI
CHARACTERISTICS:
➢ It is the largest of all crocodilians and the largest reptile in the world.

&
IN NEWS:
➢ Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha, has observed a slight increase in the population of saltwater

an
crocodiles during the annual census in 2024.

lv
ha
ud
M
n
aa
N

- 96 -
 MARINE MAMMALS
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

Dugong State animal of Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

C
(Sea Cow) IUCN: Vulnerable

SC
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ In India - Gulf of Manner, Gulf of Kutch, Palk Bay, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

C
CHARTERSTICS:

AI
➢ It is the only herbivorous mammal that is strictly marine; inhibiting the shallow warm coastal waters of
the Indian and Pacific oceans.

&
➢ Very social species.
➢ They are not considered migratory but are known to travel great distances (in search of food)

an
➢ Unlike dolphins and other cetaceans, sea cows have two nostrils and no dorsal fin.
IN NEWS:

lv
➢ India's first conservation reserve for the Dugong in Gulf of Manner, Palk Bay.

Sea Lion
DISTRIBUTION:
ha
IUCN: Endangered
ud
(pinnipeds)
➢ Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, and parts of the Indian Ocean.
M

CHARACTERISTICS:

➢ Semi-aquatic mammal; inhabit rocky shorelines, islands, and sandy beaches.

n

➢ Sea lions are carnivorous.

aa

➢ Red Tide (Algal Bloom) is a threat to them. Red tide is the red colouration of seawater due to the presence of
N

dinoflagellate Gonyaulax.
➢ Sea lions are related to walruses and seals (pinnipeds)

- 97 -
 Manatees IUCN: Vulnerable
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ There are three species, or types, of manatee.

C
➢ The Amazonian manatee lives in the Amazon River and in fresh water in South America. This species is only found
in freshwater.

SC
➢ The African manatee lives in tropical West Africa.
➢ The Caribbean manatee is found in Florida and the West Indies.

C
HABITAT:

AI
➢ Manatees inhabit shallow, marshy coastal areas and rivers.
CHARACTERISTICS:

&
➢ Large aquatic mammals; belong to a group of animals called Sirenia. This group also contains dugongs.

an
➢ Herbivores; solitary animals; In order to breathe, they must swim to the water’s surface for air.
➢ Dugongs and manatees are very similar in appearance and behavior, but there is one key difference: -Manatees have

lv
paddle-shaped tails, and dugongs have fluked tails, giving it a whale-like appearance.

Sea Horse IUCN: Vulnerable

DISTRIBUTION:
ha
ud
(marine fish)
➢ 46 species of seahorses reported worldwide - nine species are distributed along the coasts of eight States and five
M

Union Territories from Gujarat to Odisha, apart from Lakshadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
HABITAT:
n

➢ Found in shallow tropical and temperate waters throughout the world.

aa
N

- 98 -
 OTHER AQUATIC SPECIES
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

Blue Finned Mahseer IUCN: Least concern

C
& Golden Mahseer DISTRIBUTION:

SC
➢ Found in India and in other range countries in South Asia.
➢ Blue Finned Mahseer is found in the Mula-Mutha River close to the Indian city of Pune, a part of

C
the Krishna River basin.
CHARTERSTICS:

AI
➢ Also known as Deccan Mahseer or Tor Khudree.
➢ Freshwater Ecosystem Indicator (very sensitive to dissolved oxygen levels, water

&
temperature and sudden climatic changes)
➢ The species is migratory and moves upstream during rains.

an
Black spotted Crocer Gujarat declared Ghol species as the state fish at the Global Fisheries Conference India 2023.
CHARACTERISTICS:

lv
(Ghol)
➢ Its swim bladders are highly priced because of their medicinal and commercial values.

ha
➢ Exported to countries of south-east Asia (Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia)
HABITAT:
ud
➢ Widely distributed in Indo-Pacific from Persian Gulf to Pacific Ocean.
M

Octopus IUCN: Least Concern

CHARACTERISTICS:
n

➢ Octopuses are a highly intelligent marine species; They are carnivores.

aa

➢ An octopus has 3 hearts; Octopuses have 9 brains because, in addition to the central brain, each of 8
arms has a mini-brain.
N

➢ Octopus has blue blood.

➢ Dumbo Octopus - deepest living of all octopus species

- 99 -
 DUCKS
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
Pink headed Duck IUCN: Critically Endangered

SC
DISTRIBUTION:

➢ Has not been conclusively recorded in India since 1949.Range — Recorded in India,Bangladesh and

C
Myanmar.

AI
➢ Maximum records are from north-east India.

&
an
Mandarin duck IUCN: Least Concern

DISTRIBUTION:

lv
➢ have been sighted in the Maguri-Motapung beel in Assam’s Tinsukia district aftera century.

ha
➢ It is native to East Asia but hasestablished populations in Western Europe and America too.
NOTE:
ud
➢ The duck rarely visits India as it does not fall in its usual migratory route
➢ it was sighted in Manipur’s Loktak Lake in 2013, and inSaatvoini Beel in Manas National Park and Tiger
M

Reserve in Assam’s Baksa district in 2014.

n
aa
N

- 100 -
 MISCELLANEOUS SPECIES

C
SC
C
AI
&
an
lv
ha
ud
M
n
aa
N

- 101 -
 SQUIRRELS

C
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

SC
Namdapha Flying Squirrel IUCN: Critically Endangered

C
DISTRIBUTION:

AI
➢ They are an arboreal, nocturnal flying squirrel endemic to Arunachal Pradesh.

&
HABITAT:

➢ Known habitat is tall Mesua ferrea jungles, often on hill slopes in the catchment area of Dihing River (particularly on the

an
western slope of Patkai range)

lv
CHARCTERISTICS:

ha
➢ They are herbivores (frugivores, granivores). They eat various fruits, nuts, seeds, and fungi.
➢ These squirrels are not capable of flight like birds or bats; instead, they glide between trees.
ud
NOTE:
➢ The Namdapha NP is located between the Dapha bum range of the Mishmi Hills and the Patkai range.
M

Indian giant flying squirrel IUCN: Least Concern

n

DISTRIBUTION:
aa

➢ Found in the eastern Himalayas and the north-east.

N

HABITAT:

➢ Inhabits dry deciduous and evergreen forest, usually at higher elevations from 500–2,000 m (1,600–6,600 ft) and has been
recorded on plantations

- 102 -
 CHARCTERISTICS:

➢ Nocturnal and arboreal, spending most of its life in the canopy, socialise if abundant food.

C
➢ They do not fly but are known for their unique ability to glide.

SC
➢ This is made possible by the patagium, the skin membrane between the hind limbs and forelimbs. Since gliding can make
these animals vulnerable to predation, it is hypothesised that they have evolved to be nocturnal

C
AI
Marmot IUCN: Least Concern

DISTRIBUTION:

&
➢ Marmots are relatively large ground squirrels with 15 species living in Asia, Europe, and North America.

an
➢ They are the heaviest members of the squirrel family.

lv
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ These herbivores are active during the summer.

ha
➢ Marmots typically live in burrows
ud
M
n
aa
N

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 BUTTERFLIES
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

C
Migratory Monarch Butterfly IUCN: Endangered

SC
DISTRIBUTION:

➢ It is native in the Norh America and Oceania. Itis also reported in Indian Subcontinent, China, Central

C
Asia and Europe.

AI
CHARTERSTICS:
➢ Is breeds in only one plant, the Milkweeds

&
an
lv
IUCN: Least Concern
Golden Birdwing
ha
DISTRIBUTION:
ud
➢ South and SE Asia. In India, it is found in NE - India and some parts of North India.

NOTE:
M

➢ This Himalayan butterfly is the India’s largest butterfly (it has replaced Southern Birdwing
butterfly as the largest).
n
aa
N

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Kaiser-i-Hind Butterfly IUCN: Near Threatend
DISTRIBUTION:
➢ The butterfly also flutters in Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Laos, Vietnam and southern China.State

C
Butterfly of Arunachal Pradesh

SC
➢ found in six states along the Eastern Himalayas at elevations from 6,000-10,000 feet in well-
wooded terrain.

C
AI
&
Noble’s Helen butterfly DISTRIBUTION:

an
➢ They are found in Myanmar, Yunnan, Hubai(China), North Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam.
➢ recorded for the first time in India from namdapha national park.

lv
ha
ud
M
n
aa
N

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 REPTILES

C
SPECIES DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERISTICS FEATURES

SC
Monitor Lizard IUCN: Near Threatened
DISTRIBUTION:

C
➢ They are mainly native to Asia, Africa, and Australia.

AI
CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ They are a group of large reptiles belonging to the family Varanidae.
➢ They are known for their distinctive appearance, with long bodies, powerful limbs, and well-developed tails.

&
➢ They are considered to be the most intelligent of all lizards and some of the most intelligent reptiles in general.

an
➢ They have large claws, powerful tails, long necks, and well-developed legs.
➢ They can move quickly and powerfully in pursuit of prey.

lv
➢ Most monitor lizards are terrestrial and largely carnivorous.

ha
➢ They do not blink and they have very good vision.
➢ They have forked tongues which they use for smelling.
ud
NOTE:
➢ India is home to four Monitor lizards – the Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis), the Asian Water monitor
M

(Varanus salvator), the Yellow monitor (Varanus flavescens) and the Desert monitor (Varanus griseus).

Geko DISTRIBUTION:
n

➢ These are reptiles and are found on all the continents except Antarctica.
aa

HABITAT:
➢ These colorful lizards have adapted to habitats from rainforests, to deserts, to cold mountain slopes.
N

CHARCTERISTICS:
➢ These are mostly small, usually nocturnal reptiles.

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