Learning Outcomes:
- Understanding India’s critical endangered mammalian species.
- Insight into various habitats and their current threats.
- Knowledge of unique animal adaptations and behaviors.
- Comprehension of species extinction and conservation strategies.
Mammals – Critically Endangered
Pygmy Hog (Porcula salvania)
The Pygmy Hog is the world’s smallest wild pig, weighing approximately 8 kg as an adult. It is an essential indicator of grassland management.
- Habitat: Found in undisturbed tall ‘terai’ grasslands.
- Distribution: Historically along southern Himalayan foothills, currently restricted to a single population in Manas Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Significance: Supports other endangered species like the Indian Rhinoceros and Swamp Deer.
- Threats: Loss of grasslands, dry-season burning, grazing, afforestation, and hunting.
- Conservation: A captive-breeding program initiated in Assam in 1996 led to reintroduction in Sonai Rupai in 2009.
Andaman White-toothed Shrew (Crocidura andamanensis)
Endemic to India, this species is active during twilight and nighttime.
- Habitat: Leaf litter and rock crevices.
- Distribution:
- Andaman White-toothed Shrew: Found on Mount Harriet, South Andaman Islands.
- Jenkin’s Andaman Spiny Shrew: Located in Wright Myo and Mount Harriet, South Andaman Islands.
- Nicobar White-tailed Shrew: Found in Greater Nicobar Island, between Campbell Bay National Park and the Galathea River.
- Threats: Habitat loss due to logging, natural disasters, and climate changes.
Kondana Rat (Millardia kondana)
A nocturnal burrowing rodent found exclusively in India.
- Habitat: Tropical and subtropical dry deciduous forests.
- Distribution: Sinhagarh Plateau near Pune, Maharashtra.
- Threats: Habitat loss, overgrazing, tourism, and recreational disturbances.
Large Rock Rat (Cremnomys elvira)
Medium-sized, nocturnal burrowing rodent endemic to India.
- Habitat: Tropical dry deciduous shrubland.
- Distribution: Eastern Ghats of Tamil Nadu.
- Threats: Forest conversion and fuel wood collection.
Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Biswamoyopterus biswasi)
A unique flying squirrel confined to a single valley in Namdapha National Park.
- Habitat: Tropical forests.
- Threats: Hunted for food.
Malabar Civet (Viverra civettina)
One of the rarest mammals.
- Habitat: Wooded plains, hill slopes of evergreen rainforests.
- Distribution: Western Ghats.
- Threats: Deforestation and commercial plantations.
Sumatran Rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis)
The smallest and most endangered of rhinoceros species.
- Distribution: Presumed regionally extinct in India.
Kashmir Stag / Hangul (Cervus elaphus hanglu)
A subspecies of Red Deer, native to India.
- Habitat: Dense riverine forests and high valleys in Kashmir.
- State Symbol: Recognized as the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir.
- Threats: Habitat destruction, overgrazing, and poaching.
Marine Mammals
Freshwater / River Dolphin
Habitat/Distribution: Found in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan.
- Ganges River Dolphin:
- Distribution: Ganges and Brahmaputra Rivers.
- Recognized as India’s National Aquatic Animal.
- Indus River Dolphin:
- Distribution: Indus River in Pakistan and Beas, Sutlej tributaries.
Herbivorous Marine Mammals
Includes Dugongs and Manatees.
- Dugong (Dugong dugon):
- Status: Vulnerable.
- Threats: Hunting, habitat degradation, fishing fatalities.
- Manatees:
- Distribution: Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Amazon Basin, West Africa.
- Threats: Coastal development, hunting, red tide.
Unique Mammalian Species
Egg Laying Mammals (Monotremes)
- Species: Includes duck-billed platypus and four species of echidnas.
- Distribution: Australia and New Guinea.
- Reproduction: Lay eggs; echidnas carry eggs in a pouch.
Marsupials
- Feature: Pouched mammals; short gestation.
- Examples: Kangaroos, wallabies, opossums.
- Extinct Marsupials: Quagga, marsupial wolf.
Important Note: Placental mammals bear live young, nourished through the mother’s blood supply.
Birds – Critically Endangered
Jerdon’s Courser
A nocturnal bird endemic to Andhra Pradesh.
- Habitat: Undisturbed scrub jungles.
- Threats: Jungle clearing, illegal trapping, exotic tree plantations.
Forest Owlet
Rediscovered after 113 years.
- Habitat: Dry deciduous forests.
- Distribution: South Madhya Pradesh, northwest, and north-central Maharashtra.
- Threats: Logging, burning, tree damage.
White-bellied Heron
An extremely rare bird in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
- Habitat: Rivers with sand or gravel bars.
- Threats: Forest degradation, human disturbances.
Few Exceptions in Animal Diversity
Coral – Fire Corals
- Related Species: Closer to jellyfish than corals.
- Habitat: Murky inshore waters and clear offshore sites.
- Threats: Temperature rise, global warming, and decorative collection.
Bird Migration
- Definition: Seasonal movement from one location to another.
- Reasons:
- Adverse Factors: Extreme weather, food and water scarcity.
- Breeding: Better conditions, safe nesting sites.
| Migratory Birds | Winter | Summer |
|---|
| Examples | Siberian Cranes, Greater Flamingo | Asian Koel, Black Crowned Night Heron |
| Adaptations | Long distance travel, climatic tolerance | Adaptations for short-term climate changes |
Wildlife Diseases
| Disease | Casual Organism | Susceptible Animals |
|---|
| Tuberculosis | Mycobacterium spp | Deer, cat, primates, elephants |
| Anthrax | Bacillus anthraxis | Gaur, chetal, wild pig, barking deer |
| Rabies | Rabies virus | Tigers, lions, bears, mongoose, squirrels |
Species Extinction
Processes
- Deterministic: Clear cause and effect, e.g., glaciations, deforestation.
- Stochastic: Random events affecting survival, e.g., unexpected weather patterns, food supply decline.
Important Note: Traits increasing vulnerability to extinction include rarity, poor dispersal, ecological specialization, and high trophic status.
Types
- Natural Extinctions: Climate change, tectonic activity.
- Artificial Extinction: Human activities like hunting, habitat loss.
Man-Animal Conflict
This conflict arises from overlapping human and wildlife needs, impacting resources and habitats.
- Causes: Population growth, habitat fragmentation, livestock expansion.
- Impacts: Crop damage, livestock loss, human injuries.
- Preventive Strategies: Barriers, guarding, waste management.
- Mitigative Strategies: Compensation systems, insurance, community-based resource management.
Important Concept: Pugmark Census Technique: Identifies tigers using footprint imprints as indices for occurrence and abundance.
Multiple Choice Question: Which of the following species is recognized as India’s National Aquatic Animal?
- Indus River Dolphin
- Ganges River Dolphin
- Dugong
- Olive Ridley Turtle
Correct Answer: 2. Ganges River Dolphin