Rooplekha Das
Bhitarkanika is home to one of India's largest populations of saltwater crocodiles. These giant reptiles can often be spotted basking along muddy banks and tidal creeks.
The park hosts seven species of kingfishers, including the stork-billed, pied, common, and white-throated varieties. Watch for their colourful plumage near the waterways.
Frequently spotted along Bhitarkanika's muddy banks, water monitor lizards are large reptiles often seen basking in the sun or moving through the mangrove habitat.
Also known as chital, spotted deer are commonly seen grazing in herds along forest edges and clearings, adding to the park's rich terrestrial wildlife.
One of India's largest snake species, the Indian python is a non-venomous constrictor found in Bhitarkanika's dense forests and wetland habitats.
Among the park's notable reptiles, the king cobra inhabits its dense forest landscapes. This venomous snake is recognised for its impressive size and distinctive hood.
The nearby Gahirmatha coast is an important nesting ground for Olive Ridley sea turtles. Thousands gather here during the nesting season to lay their eggs.