THE INDIAN CHEVROTAIN | MOUSE DEER | Tragulus meminna

THE INDIAN CHEVROTAIN OR MOUSE DEER
Nocturnal, solitary and moves in areas with undergrowth. Rare and difficult to sight due to the camouflaging colouration. The only way to identify the presence of the species is by looking at the pellets and occational hoof marks.

Scientific name : Tragulus meminna

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Tragulidae
Genus: Moschiola
Species: M. indica
Binomial name: Moschiola indica

Local names : Kooran, Kooraman.

Habitat : Wet evergreen and deciduous forests.

Distribution : All over Kerala. Reported from Silent Valley National Park, Parambikulam, Chimmony and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuaries and Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Indirect evidences : Pellets and hoof marks.

Faecal matters : Small pellets.

Foot prints : Very small and difficult to detect in the field. Similar to the marks made with two small sticks on the ground.

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INDIAN PANGOLIN | Manis crassicaudata Gray

INDIAN PANGOLIN

Scientific name : Manis crassicaudata Gray

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Pholidota
Family: Manidae
Genus: Manis
Species: M. crassicaudata
Binomial name: Manis crassicaudata

Local names : Urumbutheeni, Eenampaechi.

Habitat : Moist and dry deciduous forests and dry village side.

Distribution : All over Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Burrows and walking signs on the ground.

Burrows : In the ground, usually under a rock or heavy stone.

Where to look for the animals : Dry area with rocky patches, where there is enough ant or termite mounds.

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THE MALABAR GIANT SQUIRREL | Ratufa indica

THE MALABAR GIANT SQUIRREL
Seen in all the protected areas especially Periyar Tiger Reserve, Wayanad and Parambikulam Wildlife Sanct uaries and Silent Valley National Park. Dreys are very prominent, found on lofty trees and customarily built on top of the tree branches.
Scientific name: Ratufa indica

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Sciuridae
Genus: Ratufa
Species: R. indica
Binomial name : Ratufa indica

Local name : Malayannan

Habitats : All habitats, except plantations.

Distribution : All over Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Calls, remains of seeds on the ground and dreys on trees. Remains of fruits and nuts are found on the ground after feeding.

Nests : Build dreys using leaves and twigs.

Calls : “Chle…chle… chle…“ Very loud shrill calls which are audible over long distances. Produces loud calls when a bird of prey is sighted above the sky.
Where to look for indirect signs : Fruiting trees. In disturbed areas, it may stay on tree holes during the day time and freeze on the branches after sighting humans.

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THE INDIAN WILD BOAR | Sus scrofa Linnaeus

THE INDIAN WILD BOAR

Scientific name : Sus scrofa Linnaeus

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Suidae
Genus: Sus
Species: S. scrofa
Binomial name : Sus scrofa

Local names :, Kattu panni Panni.

Habitat : Evergreen, semi evergreen and moist and dry deciduous forests and also in cultivated lands.

Distribution : All over Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Hoof marks, digging signs and nests made of leaf and twigs. When wild boar leaves an area after feeding it appears like a ploughed field.

Faecal matters : Found in the forest areas and is round or elongated in shape.

Colour : Brownish to black in colour.

Size : Diameter 2.3 to 2.4 cm.

Foot prints : Width of hoof marks may vary between 3.6 to 5.5 cm and length differ from 3.1 to 6.2 cm.

Nests : Made of leaf and twigs on the ground and will look like a small mount of leaf litter.

Where to look for the indirect evidences : Open areas in forest and also near cultivations near the forest.

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THE GRIZZLED GIANT SQUIRREL | Ratufa macroura

THE GRIZZLED GIANT SQUIRREL
This is an endangered giant squirrel reported in Kerala only from Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki District. Frequently seen in the riverine belt of Chinnar and Pambar river. As in the case of Malabar giant squirrel, the dreys and calls are the best indirect signs. Only about 150 anials are reported to occur in Chinnar.
Scientific name : Ratufa macroura
Local names : Puliyannan, Chambal annan.
Habitat : Riverine forests in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.
Distribution : Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki District.
Indirect evidences : Nests, calls and remains of seeds on the ground.
Dreys : Made of leaves and twigs on top of the trees.
Calls : Similar to Malabar giant squirrel. Produces a shrill sound.
Where to look : Riverine belt all along the Chinnar, Athioda and Pambar rivers in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary.

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TIGER | Panthera tigris

TIGER
Direct sighting is rare but pug marks can be often seen near the waterholes, lack shore, stream side and on the forest roads.
Scientific name : Panthera tigris

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Species: P. tigris
Binomial name: Panthera tigris

Local names : Kaduva, Puli, Varayan puli.

Habitat : Evergreen forest, moist deciduous forest, dry deciduous forest and shoal grass lands.

Distribution : Distributed all over Kerala in the forests.

Indirect evidences : Pug marks, scats, kill and claw marks on trees.

Faecal matters : Scats will be larger in size compared to that of leopard. Usually with hairs and bones of prey animals and with foul smell when it is fresh. Often difficult to distinguish with that of a leopard unless confirmed by the presence of pug marks nearby.

Colour : Black to grey.

Size (Diameter) : Size ranges from 35 mm to 44 mm.

Pug marks : Bigger than the leopard pug mark. The pug mark of a tiger cub is always with that of an adult tiger. This often helps to identify a leopard from the tiger. Sex of the tiger can be distinguished by looking at the shape of the pug mark. If the length and breadth measurements shows a square shape it will be of a male tiger and a rectangle shape, indicates a female.

Kills : kill are characterized with an intact stomach. The remaining portoin of the prey after feeding id left in the same place and return for the meat the next day. But, some times kills are dragged and hidden under vegetation. The mode if fedding from the rear of the prey has given the tiger the title ‘the ugly feeder’.

Claw marks : Very rare but can be seen on the bark of trees.
Where to look for the indirect evidences: Pug marks are found in dusty Soils near the forest road in the mud on the side of rivulets or water holes.

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THE LEOPARD | PANTHER | Panthera pardus

THE LEOPARD OR PANTHER
Leopards are found in the forests of Kerala and in the outskirts of villages. Occasionally strays to the home steads and preys on cattle also. Is Kerala, it is frequently sighted in Wayanad, Parambikulam and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuaries

Scientific name : Panthera pardus

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Panthera
Species: P. pardus
Binomial name: Panthera pardus

Local names : Pulli puli,Puli, Nari.

Habitat : Evergreen, moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests.

Distribution : Distributed all over Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Pug marks, scats, kills and claw marks on trees.

Scats : Scat will be at a point in single piles. Blackish grey in colour. The colour will turn into white, when exposed to sun . Smells heavily and hairs and bones of prey species are seen in the scats. Difficult to distinguish from a tiger scat unless confirmed by the pug marks nearby. About 8 mm to 11 mm in diameter.

Pugmarks : Smaller than that of tiger.

Size: Length may vary from 6 cm to 10 cm and breadth from 5 cm to 9 cm . Width of paw will be around 4 cm to 6 cm.

Kills : After feeding , the remains of the prey are kept on tree tops. Prey animals include arboreal animals also. Often prey on dogs when they come near villages, a unique behavior which is not found in tigers.

Claw marks : Very rare but can be noticed on the bark of trees.
Where to look for the indirect evidences: Same as that of tiger.

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THE SMALL INDIAN CIVET | Viuerricula indica | Viverricula indica

THE SMALL INDIAN CIVET

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Viverridae
Subfamily: Viverrinae
Genus: Viverricula
Species: V. indica
Binomial name: Viverricula indica

Scientific name : Viverricula indica

Local names : Veruku, Meru, Cheruveruku, Kodimeru, Poomeru.

Habitat : Country side, villages and forests.

Distribution : Distributed all over Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Scat and pug marks.

Faecal matters : Contains plant seeds and is often watery.

Colour : Black to brownish in colour.

Size : Length may vary from 3.00 to 4.6 cm. drippings are seen on rock or on long in the forest.

Pug marks : A small pad and four finger prints can be seen clearly.

Size : Width may vary from 3.00 cm to 3.6 cm.

Where to look for the indirect evidences : Near the fruiting trees when the fruits ripens. Active at dusk and dawn. Pug marks are clear near the river sides.

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JUNGLE CAT | Felis chaus Guldenstaedt

JUNGLE CAT
Cryptic animals and difficult to sight directly. Indirect signs can be seen frequently in the forests and in the outskirts of villages.

Scientific name :Felis chaus Gueldenstaedtii

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Felidae
Genus: Felis
Species: F. chaus
Binomial name: Felis chaus

Local name : Kattu poocha.

Habitat : Prefers dry open forest areas with grassland and scrub jungle and near forest villages.

Indirect evidences : Pug marks and scats.

Distribution : No detailed data available, but reported from most of the wildlife sanctuaries in Kerala.

Faecal matters Colour : Grey to black.

Size : 13 mm to 17 mm.

Pugmark Size : Smaller than that of leopard with a width of about 2 to 3 cm.

Habit : Often come to villages for poultry.

Where to look for the indirect evidences : Near the forest roads, tree holes and under the culverts.

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THE COMMON PALM CIVET OR TODDY CAT | Paradoxurus hermaphrodites

THE COMMON PALM CIVET OR TODDY CAT
Common in the villages and country side and feed on fruits and seeds. The only indirect evidences of this nocturnal animal are the faecal matter and pug marks.
Scientific name : Paradoxurus hermaphrodites
Local names : Marappatti, Pazhamunni, Marameu, Panameru, Kallukudian meru.
Habitat : Villages , forest areas and coffee plantation.
Distribution : Distributed all over Kerala.
Indirect evidences : Scat, pug marks.
Scat : Grayish to brown in colour, seeds of fruits consumed can be seen in the scat.
Size : 19 mm to 20 mm.
Where to look for the indirect evidences : Found in the upstairs of old house. Occasionally drinks toddy from the coconut palms and can be located near the fruiting trees.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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THE NILGIRI LANGUR | Presbytis johnii

THE NILGIRI LANGUR

Diurnal and seen in all the habitat types in Kerala. The territorial call of the male “ Hoo-hoo-hoo” can

Be heard from distance in early morning and evening.

Scientific name : Presbytis johnii

Local name : Karim kurangu, kari manthi.

Habitat : Wet evergreen, semi –evergreen and deciduous forest.

Distribution : All over Kerala in the forested areas from an elevation of 90 m above MSL.

Indirect evidences: Droppings, discarded leaf and fruit parts on the ground and calls.

Droppings : Similar to hanuman langur but difficult to locate in the forest areas. Being the more abundant, foot paths and rocks along streams. More often look like cow dung,with no invertebrates and usually flattened on the substrate.

Colour : Grey, green or black.

Foot prints : Foot prints are not traceable in the wild since these monkeys seldom come down .

Calls : “Hoo…hoo…hoo…” Distinct calls heard from a distances will help us to identify these monkeys. Produces of a shrill sound by all the members of a troop whenever a bird of prey soars over the canopy., or when a predator is sighted.

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THE HANUMAN LANGUR | Presbytis entellus

HANUMAN LANGUR

This diurnal monkey is found in the dry tracts in Nilambur and ,Wayand and Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuaries. Distinct call are made by these monkey. Difficult to distinguish based on indirect evidences. Sound of teeth grinding and whooping calls of males are audible.

Scientific name : Presbytis entellus

Local names : Hanuman kurangu , Vekkali, Vellamanthi and Moolikurangu.

Habitat : Dry deciduous forest and scrub forests.

Distribution : Found in chinnar and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuaries in Kerala and parts of Nilambur. Thenmala and in sacred groves of North Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Droppings, calls, discarded leaf, fruit parts and foot prints on the ground. Rejected fruit portions of Garcinia gummi-gutta, are usuall seen in Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary,when these monkeys leave an area after feeding.

Faecal matters : Found on the ground or on rocks under the roosting tree /place. Droppings Contain mostly leaves unlike bonnet monkeys and with no insect parts.

Colour : Brownish grey, shape is similar to bonnet macaque.

Calls and sound :” Whoop…Whoop…Whoop…”.

Foot prints : Foot prints can be located near the water course where these monkeys Inhabit. Difficult to identify from other primates based on the foot prints Because the foot prints may look similar.

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THE LION - TAILED MACAQUE

THE LION-TAILED MACAQUE

This macaque is diurnal, endemic to the evergreen forests of Western ghats and is the most endangered among all the primates found in Kerala. Their subdued ‘’Coo-Coo-Coo’’ call is very distinct from that of the other black monkey,the Nilgiri langur. They occur in troops of 10 to 20 animals. Freshly discarded fruits of Cullenia exarillata with feeding signs more often indicate the presence of this monkey in the vicinity.

Scientific name: Macaca silenus

Local names : Simhavalan kurangu , Shingalan, Moolian.

Habiat : Wet evergreen forest.

Distribution : Seen in the wet evergreen forests in Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. In Kerala it occurs in Silent valley National park, Shenduruny Wildlife Sanctuary, New Amarambalam, Muthikulam, Parambikulam, Sholayar,Periyar Tiger Reserve, Aralam, Ranni, Nelliampathy and Neyyar.

Indirect evidences : Discarded parts of fruits, calls, sound of moving branches and faecal matters reveal the presence of these monkeys. It is difficult to find foot prints. Rarely comes to ground and foot prints will be confused with that of bonnet macaque.Discarded food parts can be indistinguishable from other arboreal mammals e. g. Nilgiri langur, bonnet macaque and Malabar giant squirrel, except perhaps for some specific food species e. g. Cullenia sp. and Diospyros.

Dropping : Similar to bonnet macaque, but difficult to locate in the evergreen forests.

Colour : Grayish to black in colour.

Calls : ‘’Coo…Coo…Coo…’’ contact calls are frequent. These calls are very reliable, audible and can be herd up to 75-100 m.

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List of Indian animals statewise

State	Common name	Scientific name
Andhra Pradesh	Blackbuck	Antilope cervicapra
Arunachal Pradesh	Gayal	Bos frontalis
Assam	One-horned rhino	Rhinoceros unicornis
Bihar	Gaur	Bos gaurus
Chhattisgarh	Wild Buffalo	B. bubalis arnee
Goa	Gaur	Bos gaurus
Gujarat	Asiatic lion	Panthera leo persica
Haryana	Blackbuck	Antilope cervicapra
Himachal Pradesh	Musk deer
Jammu and Kashmir	Kashmir stag	Cervus elaphus hanglu
Jharkhand	Indian Elephant	Elephas maximus indicus
Karnataka	Indian Elephant	Elephas maximus indicus
Kerala	Indian Elephant	Elephas maximus indicus
Lakshadweep	Butterfly Fish	Chaetodon decussatus
Meghalaya	Clouded Leopard	Neofelis nebulosa
Madhya Pradesh	Barasingha	Rucervus duvaucelii
Maharashtra	Indian Giant Squirrel	Ratufa indica
Manipur	Sangai	Cervus eldi eldi
Mizoram	Hoolock gibbon	Hoolock hoolock
Nagaland	Gaur	Bos gaurus
Orissa	Indian Elephant	Elephas maximus indicus
Pondicherry
Punjab	Blackbuck	Antilope cervicapra
Rajasthan	Chinkara	Gazella bennettii
Sikkim	Red Panda	Ailurus fulgens
Tamil Nadu	Nilgiri Tahr	Nilgiritragus hylocrius
Tripura	Phayre's Langur	Trachypithecus phayrei
Uttarakhand	Musk deer
Uttar Pradesh	Swamp Deer	Rucervus duvaucelii
West Bengal	Royal Bengal Tiger	Panthera tigris bengalensis

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