Wildlife of Tamil Nadu

Endangered Nilgiri tahr, state animal of Tamil Nadu

There are more than 2000 species of fauna that can be found in Tamil Nadu.^[1] This rich wildlife is attributed to the diverse relief features as well as favorable climate and vegetation in the Indian state.^[2] Recognizing the state's role in preserving the current environment, the government has established several wildlife and bird sanctuaries as well as national parks, which entail stringent protective measures. Tamil Nadu is also included in the International Network of Biosphere Reserves, which facilitates international recognition and additional funding.^[3] Currently, there are five national parks and 17 sanctuaries that serve as homes to the wildlife.

Mammals

Tamil Nadu is known for the diversity of its mammals due to the varying environs that sustain both dry and moist deciduous forests.^[4] Notable species include Arboreal animals distributed in its hills, grasslands, mangroves, scrubs and forests. These also include rare and vulnerable species like the Bengal tiger, Nilgiri Tahr, and the lion-tailed macaque. The other mammals found in Tamil Nadu include:

Endangered lion-tailed macaque

Asian elephant, Indian leopard, sloth bear, gaur, Manjampatti white bison, wild boar, lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, common langur, bonnet macaque, four-horned antelope, dhole, tree shrew, sambar deer, mouse deer, muntjac, jungle cat, fishing cat, leopard cat, small Indian civet, toddy cat, Asian small mongoose, blackbuck, chital, striped hyena, Nilgiri marten, Travancore flying squirrel, grizzled giant squirrel, flying squirrel, three-striped palm squirrel, black-naped hare, grey slender loris, Indian pangolin, Asian small-clawed otter and Malabar spiny dormouse, Indian fox, bare-bellied hedgehog, Indian porcupine, smooth-coated otter.^[5]

Birds

Endangered Nilgiri laughing thrush

These include the Malabar trogon, Malabar pied hornbill, Nilgiri wood-pigeon, Nilgiri laughing thrush, peregrine falcon, Bonelli's eagle, dollarbird, Nilgiri pipit, little spiderhunter, white-bellied shortwing, little ringed plover, Indian swiftlet, white-bellied treepie, white-bellied woodpecker, green imperial pigeon, Nilgiri flycatcher, great eared nightjar, grey junglefowl, heart-spotted woodpecker, peafowl, grey-fronted green pigeon, wood sandpiper, vernal hanging parrot, Malabar parakeet, white-browed bulbul, stork-billed kingfisher, grey-headed fish-eagle, brown-capped pygmy woodpecker, black-and-orange flycatcher, brown-headed barbet, blue-bearded bee-eater, broad-tailed grassbird, cormorant, darter, heron, egret, open-billed stork, spoonbill and white ibis, little grebe, Indian moorhen, black-winged stilt, a few migratory ducks and occasionally a grey pelican.

Marine species

Southern birdwing
the largest butterfly in South India

These include the dugong, turtle, dolphin and Balanoglossus.

Insects

Butterflies: southern birdwing, common rose, crimson rose, common bluebottle, common jay, tailed jay, spot swordtail, five-bar swordtail, common mime, lime, Malabar banded swallowtail, Malabar raven, red Helen, common Mormon, blue Mormon, paris peacock, Malabar banded peacock, common banded peacock, common emigrant, mottled emigrant, small grass yellow, common grass yellow, common Jezebel, Psyche, common gull, lesser gull, pioneer or caper white, plain puffin, chocolate albatross, common albatross, lesser albatross, small orange tip, white orange tip, yellow orange tip, common wanderer, great orange tip

Reptiles

King cobra

Mugger crocodile, king cobra, bamboo pit viper, Indian python, Travancore tortoise, spectacled cobra, common krait, common green whip snake, Russell's kukri, common Indian monitor, Indian chameleon, Oriental garden lizard, South Indian flying lizard, olive ridley turtle, Cochin forest cane turtle, Indian black turtle, Russell's viper, various species of skinks and geckos.

Amphibians

Large wrinkled frog, Malabar black narrow mouthed frog, Kerala warty frog, pigmy wrinkled frog, burrowing frog^[6]

References