JACKAL | Canis aureus Linnaeus

JACKAL | Canis aureus Linnaeus
Found in villages and around the abandoned places. Pug marks and scats are similar to dogs.

Scientific name : Canis aureus Linnaeus

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. aureus
Binomial name: Canis aureus

Local names : Kurukkan, Kurunari, Oolan.

Habitat : In and around villages and in all forest types.

Distribution : Distributed all over Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Scats, pug marks and calls.

Scat : Black in colour.

Size : 8 to 10 mm.

Foot prints : Similar to that of dogs and 4 to 5 cm in width.

Call and sound : Howling at dusk.

Habit : Mainly a scavenger but prey upon small mammals, poultry and even invertebrates. Catches fowls and goats from the villages.

Where to look for the animal : Small rocky bushes and thickets near the outskirts of cities and villages.

Read More

BONNET MACAQUE | Macaca radiate

THE BONNET MACAQUE

The is a common diurnal monkey found in Kerala., occurring both in the forests and villages . The troop size may range from 10 to 20 individuals.

Scientific name : Macaca radiate

Local names : Vellamanthi , Nadan kurangu, Mocha, Vellakurnagu.

Habitat : Moist and dry deciduous forest, semi and wet evergreen forest, edges and country side.

Distribution : Distribution all over Kerala. Commonly found in Parambikulam. Wayanad, Idukki and Chimmony wildlife sanctuaries.

Indirect evidences : Faecal matters, discarded leaf portions on the ground , parts of fruits dropped after feeding, calls, foot prints on the ground and banging sound of tree branches when they jump swiftly.

Faecal matters Colour : Grayish to black and smooth in texture. Similar to humans in shape and found on rocky patches or on the ground.

Foot prints : Foot prints are traceable near the river banks.

Calls : Sounds like “ Kra…Kra…Kra…” is produced by all the individuals in a troop. Gives out a shrill warning call by all the members simultaneously, when a bird of prey soar over the sky, or when predators are sighted.

Read More

SLENDER LORIS | Loris tardigradus

THE SLENDER LORIS

The only nocturnal primate in Western Ghats. Usually move fast when encountered. Reported from many of the wildlife sanctuaries, but found to be common in certain pockets of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary and parts of Trichur District.

Scientific name : Loris tardigradus

Local name : Kutti thevangu.

Habitat : Deciduous, bamboo and thorn forsts.

Distribution :No correct information is available. However, it has been reported from all over Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Indirect evidences cannot be traced easily and hence hardly dependable. Have a low whistling call audible to 30-40 m.

Read More