-
Length
including tail: up to 3 m
-
Breeding:
2-3 young, mostly between Feb and May
-
Lifespan:
12-18 years
-
Social
structure: Territorial, cubs stay with mother for 2 years
-
Diet:
Deer, Nilgai, wild boar, also calves of elephant, buffalo or gaur
-
Main
predators: Man
-
Habitat:
Scrub, forest or grassy clearings
-
Conservation & Status: Severely endangered, protected
Leopard:
Description: -
The leopard or panther is the smallest of the Indian big cats but there
is much variation in size and the males are about 50% larger than the
females. The short, sleek, fawn or light-brown coloured coat is marked
with black spots on the head and extremities, which which becomes
rosettes on the flanks and black. The ‘black panther’ is a melanic form
sometimes seen in the rain forest areas of northwestern India. The cry
of the leopard is a hoarse, rasping sound.
Distribution & Habits: -
The leopard is an excellent climber and often drags quite large prey up
into the branches of a tree to be consumed safe from the attention of
scavengers. Trees branches are also favorite resting places. The leopard
is solitary, although the cubs stay with their mother until they are
between one and two years old.
Key Facts: -
-
Length
including tail: 2.15 m [average]
-
Breeding:
1-6, usually 2-4 young, births all year round
-
Lifespan:
12-15 years
-
Social
structure: Solitary apart from cubs with female
-
Diet:
Deer, monkeys, rodents, birds reptiles, also livestock.
-
Main
predator: Man
-
Habitat:
Forest, open country, rocks, scrub, even village outskirts
-
Conservation Status: Protected, still widespread but diminishing
population
Jungle Cat:
Description: -
This long-legged, short-tailed, slender, tawny-grey cat is about the
size of a domestic cat. Stripes on the flanks are either absent or only
faint, but on the foreleg there are two distinctive horizontal stripes.
Young animals may have a much denser pattern of sports or stripes on the
body.
Distribution & Habits: -
The commonest of the Indian small cats, the jungle cats adapts to a
variety of habitats, from arid scrubland to dense deciduous forest or
swamp, and may even be found near human dwellings. Its is a swift and
powerful hunter of small mammals, reptiles ground-dwelling birds, and
amphibia. The Kittens are easily tamed.
Key Facts: -
-
Length:
Head-to-rump 60-75 cm, tail ca. 30 cm
-
Breeding:
3-5 young, births in Jan to Apr and Aug to Nov
-
Social
structure: Solitary apart from kittens with female
-
Diet:
Small mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibia
-
Main
predators: leopard, wolf, dholes, hyena
-
Habitat:
Forest, swamp scrub, even village outskirts
Sloth Bear:
Description:
-
Despite its name it is unmistakably a bear. The shaggy, scruffy-looking
coat of brownish black fur has prominent, white, v-shaped patch on the
breast The sloth Bear is both an accomplished digger and an excellent
climber, helped by very long, non-retractable, ivory-white claws. The
bears illustrated are not fully-grown.
Distribution & Habits: -
The Sloth Bear survives throughout India in places where lowland forest
tracts and rocky outcrops combine to provide food and shelter. Its
Habits are nocturnal but it does not hibernate. Its principal sources of
food are fruiting trees, honeycombs, and termite nests. The mother
retreats to a cave to give birth. The leave the shelter after 2 or 3
months and are carried about clinging to the fur on their mother’s back.
Key Fact: -
-
Length:
1.5 – 1.9 m
-
Breeding:
1 –3 young, birth in winter in the north, all year round in the south
-
Lifespan:
30 years in captivity
-
Social
structure: Solitary, apart from cubs with female
-
Diet:
Fruit, termites, grubs, honey, eggs, sugarcane
-
Main
predators: Man, tiger, leopard, wolf, dholes
-
Habitat:
Lowland forest with rosky outcrops
-
Conservation & Status: Protected, diminishing population
Dhole:
Description: -
This India race of the Asian Wild Dog is reddish brown in colour with a
black bushy tail. It is smaller than a wolf but a large than a jackal
and of the same general shape, and has a distinctive short, broad muzzle
Distribution & Habits: -
The peninsular race is a forest dweller and needs adequate water and
shade in which to rest. Dholes hunts in a pack and pursue their prey
steadily and silently until it is exhausted, then pull it to the ground
amidst excited yelping. They are notorious for their habit of killing
their victims by disemboweling them alive. Dholes moving about in the
forest keep in touch with a curious, high-pitched whistle. Breeding is
cooperative with up to three females assisting the mother in brining up
her young.
Key facts: -
-
Length:
ca. 90 cm head-to-rump
-
Breeding:
2-9 young, births in Jan to Feb
-
Social
structure: Pack animal, cooperates in hunting and breeding
-
Diet:
Deer and wild hog but also larger prey, even gaur
-
Main
predators: Man
-
Habitat:
Forest and associated grassland
-
Conservation & status: Reduced to small population surviving in
protected areas
Wild Boar:
Description: -
A big, heavily built animal with slender feet, capable of accelerating
to unexpected speed in a surprisingly short time. The colour is
otherwise the usual grey or black mixed with some brown or white
bristles. Both the upper and the lower tushes are well developed and
curl out upwards from the mouth. The male is largest than the female.
Typical of the pig family are the small eyes set well back, although
sigh is poor, hearing is well developed and it communicates with a
variety of grunts and squeaks. The main sense is that of smell, guiding
the animal to food and warning it of danger.
Distribution & Habits: -
Although this is an extremely adaptable animal, intelligent and able to
live in grassland, scrub or forest it has a fatal weakness for raiding
cultivated crops. Its destructive habits have led to its extermination
from wide stretches of country. Nevertheless it is still found in all
parts of India, but especially in wilder and more protected areas. They
live in a family group but also in herds of up to 70 animals [called
‘sounders’] where boars seek receptive sows. After breeding the male may
also join bachelor groups. The sow builds a shelter of grass and bamboo
for her litter for the time until they are weaned.
Key Facts:
-
Height at
shoulder: 90 cm [male]
-
Breeding:
4-6 young, births all year round, peaking before and after the rains
-
Lifespan:
21 years
-
Social
structure: Large herbs, family groups, bachelor groups, solitary boars
-
Diet:
Omnivorous
-
Main
predators: Man. Tiger, leopard, wolf
-
Habitat:
Grassland, scrubby bush, open forest, near water
-
Conservation & Status: Common where not hunted
Five – Striped Palm Squirrel
Description: -
Palm squirrels are quick, lithe little animals with moderately bushy
tails, inquisitive-looking eyes and a pattern of contrasting stripes
running down the back. The five-striped palm squirrel has five narrow,
beige stripes on a brown background. It utters a surprisingly loud,
shrill trilling call when in the least alarmed or when encountering
conspecifics.
Distribution & Habits: -
This is the most commonly seen mammal in India. Diurnal like most other
squirrels, the five-striped Palm Squirrel is found mainly in the drier
areas of the north and as far south as Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The
female bring up the family alone in an untidy nest of grass and leaves,
which she builds in the rafters of a house or in a tree. The young are
bourn naked and blind and stay in they nest until they can forage for
themselves. Females only tolerate males in their vicinity during mating.
Key Facts:
-
Length:
Head to rump 15 cm, including tail about 30 cm
-
Breeding:
2-3 young, births all year round
-
Social
structure: Solitary
-
Diet:
Fruits, nuts, buds, bark, insects, eggs and nesting of birds
-
Main
predators: Birds of prey, python, cats
-
Habitat:
Human habitation, gardens, roadsides and cultivated fields
-
Conservation & Status: Common
Indian Grey Mongoose
Description: -
A compactly built hunter, with a bushy tail, long, cylindrical body,
short legs and tiny, semicircular ears set close to the head. It may be
up to 90 cm long with a pointed snout and eyes positioned quite far
forward. The skin of the snout, outer edge of the ears and around the
eyes has less hair and a reddish tinge. The tip of the tail is pale or
reddish there is some geographical variation in the darkness of coat
colour, and in the desert area it is more reddish. The feet’s are well
adapted for digging, with powerful claws on five, clearly separate toes,
and the ears have special flaps for closing when digging. Mongoose marks
their surroundings with the secretions from special anal glands. They
communicate with a harsh mew.
Distribution & Habits: -
Its diurnal habits and presence in area of human habitation make this
one of the most frequently observed mammals throughout India. Mongoose
are not forest animals, preferring open scrubs or area of cultivation.
It famed above all for its deadly duels with poisonous snakes. Mongoose
generally eat what ever they catch, as well as carrion and fruits, and
their also raid chicken pens. A female can produce 5 litters of 3
kittens each in a year- makes them one of India’s commonest animals.
They make their home in a burrow.
Key Facts: -
-
Length
including tail: up to 90 cm
-
Breeding:
2-4 young, births all year round
-
Social
structure: Usually solitary or mother with family, otherwise male/female
pair
-
Diet:
Small mammals, birds, reptiles, carrion, fruits
-
Main
predators: Birds of prey, leopard
-
Habitat:
Open scrubland, cultivated fields or human habitation
-
Conservation & Status: Common
Black Buck
Descriptions: -
The
male of this medium-sized antelope bear magnificently twisted horns,
sometimes with many as five turns and equal length to the height of the
animals. The slightly smaller and usually hornless females and the
immature males are yellowish fawn on the head, neck, back, tail and
hinglegs. A lighter coloured horizontal stripe is often visible on the
upper flanks. A patch between the horns and on the nape retains the
original lighter colour or develops a grizzled, grey appearance.
Distribution & Habits:
Blackbucks prefer to graze on grasses and herbs on open plains with
little cover gut regular access to water. These are found in wide,
grassy, forest clearing in national parks, or else in cultivated areas
where Bishnoi caste farmers in Rajasthan and adjoining states protect
them for religious reasons. Blackbucks have complex social interactions
with female- and- young groups, bachelor groups and mixed herds with
female. The rutting season is from February to March
Key Facts:
-
Height at
shoulder: 70-85 cm [male] 60-75 [female]
-
Breeding:
One offspring, births all year round with a peak after the summer
monsoon
-
Lifespan:
Average 7-8 years, maximum 16 years
-
Social
structure: Mixed herds of 20 or 30, some time bachelor herd
-
Diet:
Hebivorous [mainly grasses]
-
Main
predators: Man, jackal, wolf, wild pig, and eagle
-
Habitat:
Open plains, large grassy clearings in forest, cultivated fields with
young crops
-
Conservation & Status: Protected, but severely threatened expect in
national parks
Chinkara
Description: -
A small and graceful gazelle with light chestnut upper parts and a white
belly. In fact it is the Indian race of a species which is found as far
west as Morocco in north Africa There are up to 30 cm long in male but
much shorter in the female. There is a dark band running down the bridge
of the nose from the forehead, and a white stripe along the side of the
nose below the eyes. The tail is dark above but the white underneath.
Always alert to danger, the chinkara has a well-developed sense.
Distribution & Habits: -
The Chinkara is confined to the northwest of India. It moves about in
small groups, can exist without any water at all and seldom engages in
crop raiding. In salt ranges of Punjab it may be found at up to 1200 m.
Mostly the groups are of three or so animals, but occasionally as many
as 25 are seen. These herds may be of single-sex or mixed. In order
males defend territories, which they mark out using dung pile and with
scent rubbed on to twigs and stones from facial glands.
Key Facts:
-
Height at
shoulder: 65 cm [male]
-
Breeding:
One offspring, births all year round, peaking in spring and autumn
-
Lifespan:
12 years
-
Social
structure: Small groups of 3 or so, sometime herds of up to 25 older
bulls solitary
-
Diet:
Grasses, herbs, leaves, also fruits
-
Main
predators: Man, leopard, wolf, pythons and eagle
-
Habitat:
Stony desert and arid hilly areas, ravines and gullies
-
Conservation & Status: Endangered, protected
Nilgai
Description: -
The Nilgai is a large, rather ungainly animals. The male’s most
conspicuous characteristic is his steely blue-grey colour, and indeed
the name Nilgai means ‘blue cow’. The females and young, however, are
tawny brown. The male also has a thick tuft of black hairs on the
throat. The lips, chin and insides of the ears are pale or white. The
only significant sound they make is a short grunt when alarmed.
Distribution & Habits: -
Nilgai prefer grassy areas among scattered trees and scrub patches and
avoid dense forest. They are found in most of northern and central
India, especially in or near the national park, often moving out into
areas of cultivation to raid crops but also quite tolerant of lack of
water. Nilgai move about in small groups of 4 to10, sometimes as many as
20 animals. Once on the move, however, they are surprisingly fast.
Key Facts:
-
Height at
shoulder: 1.2-1.5 cm
-
Breeding:
Usually 2 offspring, births all year round
-
Lifespan:
21 years in captivity
-
Social
structure: Mixed herds of 4 to 20, Older bulls solitary
-
Diet:
Grasses, herbs, leaves and buds of bushes and trees, especially Zizyphus,
also fruits
-
Main
predators: Tiger, leopard, wolf, and wild dog.
-
Habitat:
Clearings with scattered trees, open forest, cultivated fields with
young crops
-
Conservation & Status: Protected by law and custom. Quite numerous,
especially in or near national parks and other protected areas.
Barking Deer:
Description:
This is a small, primitive deer in which the male has both tusks and
short antlers. The antlers have a short brown-tine but the main bean is
unbranched. They grow from bony pedicles that can be seen to run
rib-like down the sides of the face. Both sexes are of a reddish brown
colour. The call is a loud bark rather like that of a dog.
Distribution & Habits:
Barking deer’s are found in dense hill forest all over India. They are
solitary, diurnal animals feeding mainly on herbs, shoots and fruits but
also occasionally on small animals. The males rut in the cold weather,
using their tusks to defend a territory, but the females continue to
breed throughout the year.
-
Height at
shoulder: 50-75 cm
-
Breeding:
1, occasionally 2 young, birth all year round.
-
Lifespan:
17 years in captivity
-
Social
structure: Solitary
-
Diet:
Herbs, leaves and buds of bushes and trees, fruits, eggs, small animals,
carrion
-
Main
predators: Tiger, leopard, wolf, wild dog, and crocodile
-
Habitat:
Dense hill forest and associated clearings.
-
Conservation & Status: Sparse populations in protected areas.
Indian Porcupine
Description:
A very large rodent with a crest of 30 cm long bristles on its neck, a
profusion even longer, exceedingly sharp, banded spines on its back and
a mass of white, hollow rattling quills on its tails. The head is short
and heavy with long whiskers, the eyes and ears are small and the feet,
which are placed flat on the ground, have long digging claws.
Distribution & Habits:
Found all over India in any type of country up to 3500 m, this entirely
nocturnal animal favours rocky hillsides. It cannot climb trees but is a
good swimmer. Faced with danger, it erects its crest, rattles its tails
quills, stamps and grunts. Porcupine live in family groups and both
parents take part in care of the young.
Key Facts:
-
Length:
70-90 cm without tail
-
Breeding:
1,occasionally 2 young
-
Lifespan:
15 years
-
Social
structure: Family group
-
Diet:
Vegetables, fruit, bark, roots and grain
-
Main
predators: Man, tiger, leopard.
-
Habitat:
All types of country
-
Conservation & Status: Not endangered
Chital / Spotted Deer
Description:
A
pattern of white spots on a rufous brown coat is characteristic for both
sexes of this very attractive deer during all season. The spots are
often in horizontal rows, especially along the slightly darker
background of the back and fuse on the lower flanks to a more or less
continuous line. The coat colour darkens in older males. During the
rutting season the stag utters a hoarse bellow. The alarm call is a
short bark.
Distribution & Habits:
The chital/spotted deer is the commonest of all the deer’s in India.
Despite its dependence on water however, it is not a migrating animal,
so during prolonged droughts many may die of thirst. The dominant males
do not keep fixed territories but rather gather a group of females with
their young around them the herds usually have 20 to 30 animals but
occasionally grow to hundreds. The chital feed of the bits of fruit
dropped by the monkey.
Key Facts:
-
Height at
Shoulder: 75-97 cm.
-
Breeding:
Usually only one offspring, births all year round
-
Lifespan:
15 years in captivity
-
Social
structure: Herds of 20-30, sometimes hundreds, with a few dominant males
-
Diet:
Grasses and herbiage
-
Main
predators: tiger, leopard, jackal, wolf and wild dog.
-
Habitat:
Deciduous forests, thorny scrubs and open grassland
-
Conservation & Status: Common, especially in national parks and other
protected areas
Sambar
Description: -
T
his
largest of the India deer has a rather long-legged appearance and a
coarse and shaggy, grayish or sometimes yellowish brown coat. The legs
and under parts are of a lighter shade. Standing 1.5 m at the shoulder,
the stags have an impressive mane and heavy, three-pronged, lyre-shaped
antlers. The antlers are not particularly large for the size of the
animal, but they are very shout and covered with a rough, pearly
pattern. The sambar has a cute power of hearing and smell, and usually
vanishes silently into the undergrowth when alarmed without uttering any
alarm call.
Distribution & Habits: -
The Sambar is found through out India but its distribution also coves
most of Southeast Asia. Neither male nor female sambar tolerate the
company of conspecifics very easily and often get involved in fights,
using both hooves and teeth as weapons. The rutting season is in
November. Unlike other deer, sambar often plunge into rivers and lakes,
swimming with just the head above the surface, and stags have been seen
to retreat into deep water when at attacked by tiger at the edge of a
lake.
Key Facts:
-
Height at
shoulder: 90-150 cm
-
Breeding:
Usually only one offspring, births May to June
-
Social
structure: Solitary or in small groups
-
Diet:
Grasses, herbiage and wild fruit
-
Main
predators: Tiger, leopard, jackal, wolf, wild dog and crocodileHabitat:
Forest,
-
preferably
hilly and near water
-
Conservation & Status: Not uncommon, especially in national parks and
other protected areas
Common Langur
Description:
Long-limbed, long-tailed, grey monkey wi
th
an elegant, bounding gait and a rather swollen belly found all over
India. The Himalayan animals being the biggest. The tail, which is
longer than the rest of the body, is carried looped forward in north
India population backward in those from the south. The face is black and
surrounded by a dense fringe of silvery or creamy grey whiskers. The
ears are also black and the hands and feet are black in the northern
populations but pale.
Distribution & Habits: -
This versatile species is found on both the lower Himalayas and the
outskirts of the Thar Desert, shunning only evergreen rain forest. But
some have become accustomed to living close to human settlement and can
be found on the ground near village tanks and temple. Since they are
protected for religious reasons, common langurs have little fear of man
and will occasionally threaten people for food. They are purely
vegetarian and subsist mainly on leaves, fruit and flowers. Animals keep
in touch with a quite ‘whoop’ when feeding undisturbed in their
branches. The main enemies are leopard and tiger. The first individual
to catch sigh of a threat utters a warning cough, then the entire group
scatters into the treetops.
Key Facts:-
-
Height
seated: 51-108 cm, 72-109 cm
-
Breeding:
Usually one offspring, births in April to May in north India Jan to Feb
in south India
-
Lifespan:
25 years in captivity
-
Social
structure: Single- or multi-male groups with female and young, bachelor
groups
-
Diet:
Leaves, fruit and flowers
-
Main
predators: leopard and tiger
-
Habitat:
Arboreal, often near tanks and village, also cliffs and rocks
-
Conservation & Status: Common and well protected due to religious
status.
he
Bengal Tigeest
subspecies of Tiger, but its rich orange-brown hues contrasting with black
stripes and white facial markings and underbelly certainly make it the
most vividly coloured. The face is surrounded by a ruff running from the
ears down below the chin, which becomes more noticeable when the heavier
winter coat has been shed.
