Indian Wild Animals

Indian Wild Animals, grouped by category, with some key examples for each:

1. Big Cats (Felidae)

India is famous for its big cats, especially the Bengal Tiger — a global conservation icon.

• Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) – Found in Sundarbans, Ranthambore, Jim Corbett.

• Asiatic Lion (Panthera leo persica) – Only found in Gir Forest, Gujarat.

• Leopard (Panthera pardus) – Widespread in forests and grasslands.

• Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) – In high Himalayas (Ladakh, Himachal, Uttarakhand, Sikkim).

• Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) – Rare, found in North-East India.

2. Elephants

• Indian Elephant (Elephas maximus indicus) – A subspecies of the Asian Elephant, found in forests of South, North-East, and Central India.

3. Bears

• Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) – Known for its long snout; found in forests across India.

• Himalayan Black Bear (Ursus thibetanus laniger) – Found in the Himalayas.

• Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) – Found in high-altitude Ladakh and Himachal.

4. Canines

• Indian Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) – Found in grasslands and semi-arid regions.

• Dhole / Indian Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus) – Found in forests of South and Central India.

• Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) – Widely distributed across India.

5. Herbivores (Ungulates)

• Chital / Spotted Deer (Axis axis) – Common in forests and grasslands.

• Sambar Deer (Rusa unicolor) – Largest deer species in India.

• Barasingha / Swamp Deer (Rucervus duvaucelii) – Kanha National Park is famous for them.

• Nilgai / Blue Bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) – Largest Asian antelope.

• Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) – Known for spiraled horns.

• Gaur / Indian Bison (Bos gaurus) – Largest wild cattle species.

6. Reptiles

• King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah) – Largest venomous snake in the world.

• Indian Python (Python molurus) – Large non-venomous snake.

• Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) – Critically endangered crocodilian.

• Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) – Found in rivers and lakes.

7. Primates

• Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) – Endemic to Western Ghats.

• Hanuman Langur (Semnopithecus entellus) – Found across India.

• Assam Macaque (Macaca assamensis) – North-East forests.

8. Birds (Notable Wild Species)

• Indian Peafowl (Peacock) (Pavo cristatus) – National bird of India.

• Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis) – Found in Western Ghats and North-East.

• Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone) – Tallest flying bird in the world.