Land animals: India A-B
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Land animals: India A-B
ASIAN ELEPHANT
Living symbol of power and intelligence, Asiatic Elephant is an inseparable part of the Indian culture. In Indian mythology, there are number of references to elephant, for example Lord Ganesha, elephant face god, occupies a prominent place in the Hindu pantheon; Lord Indra's Vahana (vehicle), Airavat is a elephant. It can be tamed easily, and its strength and intelligence was effectively utilized in this country as lumberjack or even as formidable war-house for army but kings and nobles.
Elephants are social animals and large herds can have more than 100 individuals. Old female is the leader, but most powerful but elephant achieves the role of a guardian and protector. They feed on plant material rich in silica. Presence of silica wears out grinding teeth or molar, which are replaced periodically. Six sets of molar appear in the elephant's life span last at the age of sixty. Once this last set of molar wears out, it cannot survive. Known as a 'Forester' they open up close forest canopy by pulling down branches and occasional trees which helps light to penetrate down below and create ideal conditions for regeneration of new plants.
Elephants despite of having religious sanctity, were trapped on a large scale basis for domestication. Indiscriminate hunting for ivory in the part aggravated things further. Formation of Project Elephant and ban on ivory trade have helped in conserving this majestic animal.
ASIATIC WATER BUFFALO
Origin of domesticated buffalo lies in Asiatic Water Buffalo. They prefer marshy reed lands and large herds are seen feeding and wallowing in muddy habitat. Water Buffaloes are high tempered animals and the huge pair of horns can be a very formidable weapon. They are aggressive and even tiger hesitates to attack them, but somehow they prefer to be away from human presence.
The depiction of Wild Buffalo on the seals during the period of Indus Valley civilisation and even among the cave paintings of prehistoric period denotes their presence in the ancient period.
Their population has gone down due to loss of habitat and also because of competition with organized domestic cattle. They are well protected in Manas and Kaziranga National Parks of northeastern region.
ASSAMESE MACAQUE
Assamese Macaque is bulky compared to the commonly known red faced monkey but has shorter tail and differs mainly from the latter one by having no rump. They live in groups and have habits similar to that of common monkey except that they are shy and keep away from the human dwelling.
Assamese Macaque were hunted for its meat by the tribals owing to the superstition that it possesses medicinal properties. These animals were also trapped by pharmaceutical companies in large numbers to be used for experiments for the development of drugs. All these factors collectively had their impact on their population pushing them to the endangered level. These species found in Kaziranga National Park are flourishing freely without any human interference.
BHARAL (BLUE SHEEP)
Bharal is one of the high altitude Himalayan wild sheep, commonly known as a blue sheep owing to its bluish grey hair. Thick hair and underlying fur enables it to survive in cold climate. They feed upon grass and moss in alpine slopes. Bharals are gregarious species and live in herds. Encroachment of their habitat by shepherds with large flocks of animals have eroded their habitat considerably, besides hunting for meat is another reason for their depleting population. Nandadevi National Park is one of the areas where they are secured from human interference.
BARKING DEER
It is the smallest among deers found in India. It is more solitary in habit and only during breeding individuals come together. It is overall reddish brown in colour with white under tail. The male carries a pair of antlers as extended bony outgrowth. Its typical call resembles a dog's bark and hence it carries the name Barking Deer. It has a wide distribution and is seen in most parts of the country, but best seen in Corbett, Dudhwa, Kanha, Melghat, and Bandipur.
BARASAINGHA OR SWAMP DEER
Barasingha or Swamp Deers found in the swampy grasslands of Himalayan foothills, are comparatively smaller in size than the Sambar. Male carries huge pair of antlers which may have 10 to 20 tines. The name 'Barasingha' is derived from the multitine antlers.
Indiscriminate hunting for its meat, skin and majestic antlers has considerably reduced its population, and the few that live today owe their survival to the protection offered by the Wildlife Protection Act. They can be seen in Dudhwa, Manas and Kaziranga besides few pockets of terrai region.
BLACK BUCK==
This agile and elegant antelope is an exclusively Indian species. Dark brown and white male with spiral horns is always a sight to watch.
Black bucks are associated with Indian mythology, and had a wide distribution in the past. But over hunting and competition with domesticated animals in their grassland habitats were the main reasons for their depleting numbers in the recent past. With conservation movements and activities, they are safe today.
They are gregarious and live in small herds. The dominating male oversees his harem of half a dozen females. Black Bucks are fast sprinters and can achieve speeds of up to 80 km per hour, but their hop and jump gait gives an impression as if they are floating in the air.
Kanha, Gir, and specially Desert National Park are ideal places to see them. The Bishnoi community around the Desert National Park has a special affinity for them.
BLACK BUCK==
This agile and elegant antelope is an exclusively Indian species. Dark brown and white male with spiral horns is always a sight to watch.
Black bucks are associated with Indian mythology, and had a wide distribution in the past. But over hunting and competition with domesticated animals in their grassland habitats were the main reasons for their depleting numbers in the recent past. With conservation movements and activities, they are safe today.
They are gregarious and live in small herds. The dominating male oversees his harem of half a dozen females. Black Bucks are fast sprinters and can achieve speeds of up to 80 km per hour, but their hop and jump gait gives an impression as if they are floating in the air.
Kanha, Gir, and specially Desert National Park are ideal places to see them. The Bishnoi community around the Desert National Park has a special affinity for them.
BLUE BULL OR NILGAI
Blue Bull is the largest antelope found in India. The adult male with its steel gray coat gives it the name of blue bull. They prefer open dry deciduous forest and scrub lands. Their resemblance to cattle has given them religious sanctity and hence, are never hunted. Absence of large predators within the vicinity of human settlements has resulted in the unchecked growth of their population. In most of the places where they are found, they have now become a menace to agriculture.
Sariska and Ranthambore are ideal parks to sight them.
BROW-ANTLERED DEER
The most endangered deer animal and prefers hilly rocky forest tracts. During the day, they hide in tree hollows and rock crevices and are active only during dusk and early dawn. Being very shy, they are difficult to be photographed.
Mudumalai, Periyar, Nagarhole, Bandipore, Melaghat, are places where you are likely to see the mouse deer.
