10 Lesser-Known Animals In India And Where To Find Them

OT Staff

Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)

The world’s smallest wild pig, standing just 25 cm tall and about 65 cm long. It is critically endangered and found in the tall grasslands of Assam, facing severe habitat loss.

A Pygmy Hog in Assam | Shutterstock

Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus)

An Old World monkey with a striking silver-white mane and a black body. This highly arboreal primate is endemic to the Western Ghats' rainforests and is endangered due to habitat destruction.

A Lion-tailed Macaque in its habitat | Shutterstock

Nilgiri Marten (Martes gwatkinsii)

The only marten species native to southern India, known for its sleek brown fur and yellow throat. It inhabits the montane forests of the Western Ghats and is elusive and rarely seen.

A yellow-throated marten | Shutterstock

Malabar Civet (Viverra civettina)

A nocturnal and critically endangered civet endemic to the Western Ghats. It has a long, spotted body and is threatened by deforestation and hunting.

Malabar Civet | rareanimalspecies/instagram

Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi)

This critically endangered species is found only at the Namdapha National Park in Arunachal Pradesh. Recognisable by its reddish-brown fur and expansive gliding membrane, it has been rarely sighted.

Namdapha Flying Squirrel

Grizzled Giant Squirrel (Ratufa macroura)

A large tree squirrel with a distinctive grizzled grey and brown coat. It is found in riparian forests of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, and is threatened by habitat fragmentation.

Grizzled Giant Squirrel | Pexels

Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius)

A robust mountain ungulate endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and Western Ghats. It has a stocky build, curved horns, and a thick coat, thriving in steep, grassy slopes.

A Nilgiri Tahr stands at the edge of a mountain in Valparai | Shutterstock

Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus)

A medium-sized wild cat adapted to wetland habitats, particularly in the mangroves of Sundarbans and riverine forests. It is an expert swimmer and preys on fish and small aquatic creatures.

A Fishing Cat | Shutterstock

Himalayan Monal (Lophophorus impejanus)

The national bird of Uttarakhand, this vibrantly coloured pheasant is found in the Himalayan forests. Males boast iridescent plumage, while females have a more camouflaged appearance.

A bright and beautiful Himalayan Monal | Shutterstock

Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock)

India’s only ape species, found in the dense forests of Northeast India. Known for its loud, melodious calls and agile brachiation, it is highly endangered due to habitat loss.

A Hoolock Gibbon hangs from a tree at Namdapha Tiger Reserve, Arunachal Pradesh | Shutterstock

Famous Tigers Of Bandhavgarh National Park

A tiger emerges from the rocks in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve | Shutterstock
Read More