Meet 10 Rare and Fascinating Animal Species Found Only in India

India is home to many 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 Bust, mainly located in Rajasthan. These species face threats from habitat loss and poaching, making conservation efforts vital.

During the late Paleozoic and early Mesozoic eras, about 335 to 175 million years ago, a supercontinent called Pangea existed.

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

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

With this, animals, plants, and other organisms that once could move freely throughout Pangea became isolated on separate continents.

This causes animals to diversify, so some species only evolved on one continent and cannot be found anywhere else.

One such example is the panda, which is native to China and cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Another example is the Gharials, which are native to the Indian subcontinent and are not found in any other region.

So, in this article, we will explore the top 10 animals that are endemic to India and cannot be found anywhere else in the world.

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

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Incredible list of Indian animals you won’t find outside of India

Below is a list of 10 rare animal species native to India and at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and poaching. Some of these species include:

ARE NOT.	Animal species	Location found	State(s).	Important information
1	Asiatic lion	Gir National Park	Gujarat	The only remaining population of Asiatic lions in the world is about 674 individuals.
2	Great Indian Collaboration	Rajasthan and Gujarat	Rajasthan, Gujarat	This is the heaviest flying bird species, seriously endangered with a population of about 150 individuals due to habitat loss and hunting.
3	Sangai deer	Keibul Lamjao National Park	Manipur	Also known as the dancing deer, this species inhabits only floating grasslands with a population of about 260 animals.
4	Lion-tailed monkey	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 whose population is decreasing by about 2,500-3,000 due to habitat loss and poaching.
6	Kashmir Deer (Hangul)	Dachigam National Park	Jammu & Kashmir	It is a highly endangered deer species with a population of about 150 animals, mainly threatened by habitat fragmentation.
7	Malabar civet	Western Ghats	Kerala	One of the rarest mammals in India, is facing extinction due to habitat destruction and hunting.
8	Dwarf Pig	Manas National Park	Assam	The world’s smallest wild boar species, with fewer than 250 individuals remaining; they are shy and nocturnal.
9	Nilgiri Green Robin	Nilgiri Hills	Tamil Nadu	A small bird species facing extinction due to habitat loss, mainly found in mountain grasslands.
10	Ganges river dolphin	Ganges River	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal	India’s national aquatic animal, these dolphins are nearly blind and rely on echolocation to hunt their prey.
11	Indian giant squirrel	Western Ghats	Maharashtra	Known for its large size and colorful plumage; it plays an important 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 the monsoon to breed.
13	Nicobar pigeon	Nicobar Islands	Andaman & Nicobar Islands	A unique species of pigeon that is critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
14	Indian pangolin	different areas	All over India	Critically endangered due to poaching for scales; Pangolins are the most trafficked mammal globally.
15	Namdapha flying squirrel	Namdapha National Park	Arunachal Pradesh	An elusive species found only in this national park; it is threatened due to habitat loss.
16	Bengal tiger	Various national parks	All over India	India’s iconic national animal; Populations have decreased significantly due to poaching and habitat destruction.
17	Indian Gharial	Ganges River and its tributaries	Uttar Pradesh, Bihar	A critically endangered species of crocodile that primarily eats fish; Conservation efforts are underway.
18	Indian rhinoceros	Kaziranga National Park	Assam	Known for its single horn; The population has recovered thanks to successful conservation efforts but remains vulnerable.
19	Snow leopard	Himalayan region	Jammu & Kashmir	Adapted to cold mountainous environments; They are elusive predators and are mainly nocturnal.
20	Bugun Liocichla	Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary	Arunachal Pradesh	A critically endangered bird discovered in the early 2000s, with a population of about 20-22 individuals remaining due to habitat loss.

Source: Big Cats India

1. Asiatic lion

Location: Gir National Park, Gujarat
Population: About 674 individuals
Description: Only the Asiatic lion population remains; are threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
Appearance: Mane shorter than African lion; tawny jacket.
Food: Mainly deer and wild boar.
Habitat: Dry deciduous forests and grasslands.

2. Great Indian Bust

Location: Rajasthan, Gujarat
Population: About 150 people
Description: Critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
Appearance: Large size, long legs and distinctive black crown.
Food: Insects, seeds and small mammals.
Habitat: Grasslands and shrublands.

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; slim figure.
Food: Grass and aquatic plants.
Habitat: floating wetlands.

4. Lion-tailed monkey

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

5. Nilgiri Tahr

Location: Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu, Kerala
Population: About 2,500-3,000 individuals
Description: Endangered; threatened by habitat loss and poaching.
Appearance: Stocky body with curved horns; gray-brown jacket.
Food: Grass and shrubs.
Habitat: Mountainous areas.

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6. Kashmir Deer (Hangul)

Location: Dachigam National Park, Jammu & Kashmir
Population: About 150 people
Description: Critically endangered; threatened by habitat fragmentation.
Appearance: large antlers; reddish brown jacket.
Food: Grass, leaves and shrubs.
Habitat: Forested area.

7. Malabar civet

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

8. Dwarf pig

Location: Manas National Park, Assam
Population: Less than 250 individuals
Description: Critically endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
Appearance: Smallest wild boar; short legs and chubby body.
Food: Roots, tubers and insects.
Habitat: Tall grasslands.

9. Nilgiri Green Robin

Location: Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu
Population: Unknown; extremely dangerous
Description: Endangered due to habitat loss due to deforestation.
Appearance: Small in size with bright blue fur.
Food: Insects and small invertebrates.
Habitat: Mountain forests.

10. Ganges river dolphin

Location: Ganga basin across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal
Population: Estimated about 1,800 individuals
Description: National aquatic animal of India; threatened by pollution and dam construction on the river.
Appearance: Almost blind; grayish pink with a rounded snout.
Diet: Fish and crustaceans.
Habitat: Freshwater rivers.

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