Meet 10 Rare and Fascinating Animal Species Found Only in India

India is home to numerous unique and rare animal species, many of which are endemic to the region. Notable examples include the Asiatic Lion, found in Gujarat, and the Great Indian Bustard, primarily located in Rajasthan. These species face threats from habitat loss and poaching, making conservation efforts crucial.

Nov 15, 2024, 21:33 IST

Exclusive to India: 10 Rare Animal Species You Need to Know

In the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, which were around 335 to 175 million years ago, a supercontinent known as Pangaea existed.

This massive landmass was formed by the collision and merging of several smaller continents, creating a single, unified landmass on Earth.

However, due to continental drift, this Pangea began to break apart during the Jurassic period, leading to the formation of the continents as we know them today.

With this, animals, trees, and other organisms that were once able to freely move across Pangaea became isolated on separate continents.

This caused animals to diversify, so certain species evolved only on one continent and can't be found anywhere else.

One such example is pandas, which are native to China and cannot be found in any other part of the world. Another example is Gharials, which are native to the Indian subcontinent and are not found in any other regions.

Therefore, in this article, we'll explore the top 10 animal species that are endemic to India and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

These unique species have adapted to their specific environments in India, making them truly one-of-a-kind in the animal kingdom.

List of Incredible Indian Animals You Won’t Find Outside India

Here's the list of the top 10 rare and unique animal species that are native to India and are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and poaching. Some of these species include:

No.	Animal Species	Location Found	State(s)	Important Information
1	Asiatic Lion	Gir National Park	Gujarat	The only population of Asiatic lions in the world, with about 674 individuals remaining.
2	Great Indian Bustard	Rajasthan and Gujarat	Rajasthan, Gujarat	The heaviest flying bird, critically endangered with a population of around 150 due to habitat loss and hunting.
3	Sangai Deer	Keibul Lamjao National Park	Manipur	Also known as dancing deer, this species is limited to floating grasslands, with a population of about 260.
4	Lion-tailed Macaque	Western Ghats	Kerala, Karnataka	An endangered primate known for its distinctive mane; its habitat is threatened by deforestation.
5	Nilgiri Tahr	Nilgiri Hills and Western Ghats	Tamil Nadu, Kerala	A mountain goat species with a dwindling population of about 2,500-3,000 due to habitat loss and poaching.
6	Kashmir Stag (Hangul)	Dachigam National Park	Jammu & Kashmir	A critically endangered deer with a population of around 150, primarily threatened by habitat fragmentation.
7	Malabar Civet	Western Ghats	Kerala	One of the rarest mammals in India, facing extinction due to habitat destruction and hunting.
8	Pygmy Hog	Manas National Park	Assam	The smallest wild pig in the world, with fewer than 250 individuals remaining; they are shy and nocturnal.
9	Nilgiri Blue Robin	Nilgiri Hills	Tamil Nadu	A small bird nearing extinction due to habitat loss, primarily found in montane grasslands.
10	Ganges River Dolphin	Ganges River	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal	The national aquatic animal of India, these dolphins are nearly blind and rely on echolocation for hunting.
11	Indian Giant Squirrel	Western Ghats	Maharashtra	Known for its large size and colorful fur; it plays a significant role in seed dispersal within its ecosystem.
12	Purple Frog	Western Ghats	Kerala	This unique amphibian spends most of its life underground; it emerges during monsoons for breeding.
13	Nicobar Pigeon	Nicobar Islands	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	A unique pigeon species that is critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
14	Indian Pangolin	Various regions	Across India	Critically endangered due to poaching for its scales; pangolins are the most trafficked mammals globally.
15	Namdapha Flying Squirrel	Namdapha National Park	Arunachal Pradesh	An elusive species found only in this national park; it is threatened by habitat loss.
16	Bengal Tiger	Various national parks	Across India	Iconic national animal of India; populations have decreased significantly due to poaching and habitat destruction.
17	Indian Gharial	Ganges River and tributaries	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar	A critically endangered crocodile species that primarily feeds on fish; conservation efforts are ongoing.
18	Indian Rhinoceros	Kaziranga National Park	Assam	Known for its single horn; populations have rebounded due to successful conservation efforts but remain vulnerable.
19	Snow Leopard	Himalayan region	Jammu & Kashmir	Adapted to cold mountainous environments; they are elusive and primarily nocturnal predators.
20	Bugun Liocichla	Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary	Arunachal Pradesh	A critically endangered bird species discovered in the early 2000s, with a population of around 20-22 individuals remaining due to habitat loss.

Source: Big Cats India

1. Asiatic Lion

Location: Gir National Park, Gujarat
Population: Approximately 674 individuals
Description: Only remaining population of Asiatic lions; endangered due to habitat loss and poaching.
Appearance: Shorter manes than African lions; tawny coat.
Diet: Primarily deer and wild boar.
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests and grasslands.

2. Great Indian Bustard

Location: Rajasthan, Gujarat
Population: Around 150 individuals
Description: Critically endangered due to habitat destruction and hunting.
Appearance: Large size, long legs, and a distinctive black crown.
Diet: Insects, seeds, and small mammals.
Habitat: Grasslands and scrublands.

3. Sangai Deer

Location: Keibul Lamjao National Park, Manipur
Population: About 260 individuals
Description: Critically endangered; threatened by habitat degradation and hunting.
Appearance: Unique floating grassland habitat; slender build.
Diet: Grasses and aquatic plants.
Habitat: Floating wetlands.

4. Lion-tailed Macaque

Location: Western Ghats, Kerala, Karnataka
Population: Fewer than 2,500 individuals
Description: Endangered due to deforestation; distinctive mane around the face.
Diet: Fruits, seeds, and insects.
Habitat: Tropical rainforests.

5. Nilgiri Tahr

Location: Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
Population: Approximately 2,500-3,000 individuals
Description: Endangered; threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
Appearance: Stocky build with curved horns; brownish-grey coat.
Diet: Grasses and shrubs.
Habitat: Mountainous regions.

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6. Kashmir Stag (Hangul)

Location: Dachigam National Park, Jammu & Kashmir
Population: Around 150 individuals
Description: Critically endangered; threatened by habitat fragmentation.
Appearance: Large antlers; reddish-brown coat.
Diet: Grasses, leaves, and shrubs.
Habitat: Forested areas.

7. Malabar Civet

Location: Western Ghats, Kerala
Population: Unknown; possibly extinct in the wild
Description: Rare mammal; threatened by habitat destruction.
Appearance: Cat-like body with a long tail; dark fur with spots.
Diet: Fruits, small mammals, and birds.
Habitat: Rainforests.

8. Pygmy Hog

Location: Manas National Park, Assam
Population: Fewer than 250 individuals
Description: Critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
Appearance: Smallest wild pig; short legs and a stout body.
Diet: Roots, tubers, and insects.
Habitat: Tall grasslands.

9. Nilgiri Blue Robin

Location: Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu
Population: Unknown; critically endangered
Description: Endangered due to habitat loss from deforestation.
Appearance: Small size with bright blue plumage.
Diet: Insects and small invertebrates.
Habitat: Montane forests.

10. Ganges River Dolphin

Location: Ganges River basin across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal
Population: Estimated at 1,800 individuals
Description: National aquatic animal of India; endangered due to pollution and damming of rivers.
Appearance: Nearly blind; greyish-pink colour with a rounded snout.
Diet: Fish and crustaceans.
Habitat: Freshwater rivers.

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