FAUNAL DIVERSITY ASSESSMENT AT DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY (DAE) CAMPUS, KALPAKKAM

K.K.Satpathy │ K.JahirHussain

M.V.R.Prasad │ M.Selvanayagam

Dr. BALDEV RAJ , FTWAS, FNAE, FNA, GOVRENMENT OF INDIA FASc., FNASc. DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY INDIRA GANDHI CENTRE FOR ATOMIC RESEARCH Distinguished Scientist & DIRECTOR KALPAKKAM- 603 102. TAMILNADU .

FOREWORD

We all are well conscious of our historic role in meeting the impending energy crunch that the nation is faced with and are also keen to play a major role in meeting this challenge. No growth in energy production can be sustainable unless matched by equally serious commitment to Ecology and environment. One area of genuine concern all over the globe to-day is environmental degradation and diminution of biological diversity. Biodiversity refers to the variety and variability of all animals, plants and microorganisms. It is an essential component of our planet not only because of its inherent aesthetic and ethical values but also due to the fact that mankind is dependent on other species for the maintenance of the biosphere and the supply of basic necessities, particularly food and health care. In other words, it is the world’s most fundamental capital stock. Unfortunately, this precious biodiversity is now being lost at an extremely rapid rate. Losses are especially higher in developing countries like ours. The biological diversity of the Indian subcontinent is one of the richest in the world owing to its vast geographic area, varied topography and climate, and the juxtaposition of several biogeographical regions. Our biotic resources are under increasing pressure due to over exploitation of plant and animal resources, changing land use, habitat loss and fragmentation, growing pollution of soil, water and air and the green house concerns.

Nature distributes its valuable biodiversity unevenly across the earth’s surface. Lack of precise taxonomic data on biodiversity and its distribution is one of the major challenges in conservation planning. Institutional campuses that shelter native biodiversity within cities and towns are essentially ecological islands and needs sustainable management. IGCAR has taken an initiative to create data base on the faunal diversity of its 2500 acres DAE campus at Kalpakkam. In this endeavor, the efforts taken by Environmental & Industrial Safety Section, Safety Group, in collaboration with Loyola Institute of Frontier Energy, Loyola College are commendable.

Preparation of a monograph is a stepping stone in increasing awareness about environment among the staff, students and other organization members in Kalpakkam campus. This awareness and a sense of providing joy shall trigger inner spirit of enhancement and conservation of environment. I believe this monograph would convey to all readers in brief, simple language, that a feeling of the importance and excitement of studying nature. Dr. K. Jahir Hussain, Dr. K.K. Satpathy, Dr. M. Selvanayagam and their team have carried out this valuable assignment with love, knowledge and commitment. They have come out with delightful photos and stimulating information. I sincerely hope that this monograph would serve as an appetizer for some of the young students to plunge into the exciting area of natural science. I earnestly urge the team to suggest dialectical measures in the final report for conservation & enchantment of biodiversity in this beautiful green campus of Kalpakkam, which is unique in the sense that all the three fissile isotopes Thorium, Uranium and Plutonium are harnessed for nuclear energy.

(Dr. Baldev Raj)

2 PREFACE

This monograph is a very humble contribution to complement the existing knowledge on faunal diversity. It is popular, informative monograph without being too much technical. This monograph is illustrated with color photograph of various animals encountered in the DAE campus, Kalpakkam in their natural habitat. This monograph is aimed at helping amateur naturalist for whom the photographs are a better companion to identify animals in the field. The analysis is largely descriptive and aims to provide a baseline data on biodiversity of selected groups. The primary output of the assessment is an inventory of birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles and mammals. It also sheds light on the extent and quality of the critical habitats that support the biodiversity on the Campus. An intensive study, which is to be followed, will identify important ecological indicators and its dynamics. These indicators are to be used as yardsticks for not only monitoring the health of the biodiversity on the Campus, but also for undertaking remedial measures for restoration and conservation. I hope this simple and easy guide book will enthuse many, particularly the students to take to study environmental science the emerging future for the planet. The idea for this book was crystallized by no other than Dr. Baldev Raj, Distinguish Scientist and Director, IGCAR, my guru and mentor who has been assiduously encouraging me and keeping track of the progress on day-to-day basis. He has been a constant source of inspiration for not only on this endeavor but also during other endeavors. I am indeed extremely grateful to him also for his encouraging and appreciative forward. I also thank our Group Director, Dr. P. Chellapandi, for his support and guidance. My sincere thanks are also due to Administrative Officer and Commandant CISF for facilitating the filed work. Dr. K. Jahir Hussain presently working as Visiting Scientist has prepared the text and has done outstanding job with high dedication and proficiency. He has taken all the pains and precautions to identify the species correctly. Shri. T. Ramesh JRF, has assisted Dr. Hussain during the field work. Both of them worked symbiotically in documenting this faunal diversity at DAE campus kalpakkam. Dr. M. Selvanayagam, Director, Loyola Institute of Frontier Energy, Loyola College, Chennai, has been kind enough to go through the book and provided necessary suggestions.

Kalpakkam K. K. Satpathy 20.06.08 Head, Environmental & Industrial Safety Section, Safety Group, IGCAR

3 FAUNAL DIVERSITY ASSESSMENT AT DEPARTMENT OF ATOMIC ENERGY (DAE) CAMPUS, KALPAKKAM

Introduction

“Biodiversity”, the term and concept, has been a remarkable event in recent cultural evolution. Today it is one of the most commonly used expressions in biological science and has become a household word. The word ‘biodiversity’ was born during the National Forum of BioDiversity, held in Washington, D.C, on September 21-24, 1986. By 1992, as a key topic of Rio environmental summit meeting, biodiversity has moved to center stage as one of the central issues of scientific and political concern world-wide. It is defined as all hereditarily based variation at all levels of organization, from the gene within a single local population or species, to the species composing all or part of a local community, and finally to the communities themselves that compose of the living parts of the multifarious ecosystems of the world (definition by E.O. Willson). It is classified in three strata viz: local (alpha), comparative (beta) and collective or global (gama). Even though the word biodiversity is recent but the study of biological diversity can be traced back to the era of Aristotle. Unfortunately, this precious biodiversity is now being lost at an alarming rate especially at tropical region where biodiversity was very high.

India is one of the world’s richest countries in terms of its vast array of biological diversity. The Western Ghats and North East India is recognized as biodiversity “hotspot”. It has been estimated that over 81,000 species of fauna and 47,000 species of flora are found in this country so far. The relationship between local communities and the biological diversity in India is a very intricate one, whereby two-thirds of our population are heavily dependent upon the biodiversity for their survival. The destruction of biodiversity signifies the destruction of people’s livelihoods and survival. At present, around the world, at least three species a day are being depleted.

Among the larger animals in India, 79 species of mammals, 44 species of birds, 15 species of reptiles and many species of amphibians are declared threatened. Thus, the loss of even one species causes changes that are complex, unpredictable and incomprehensible (FAO, 1996: UNEP, 1995). India signed the Convention on Biological diversity on 5th June 1992, ratified it on 18th February 1994 and brought it into force on 19th May 1994. This convention provides a framework for the sustainable management and conservation of India's natural resources. Apart from many wildlife sanctuaries and bioreserves, campuses of educational and research institutes shelter native biodiversity that are essentially ecological islands in urban areas. Sustainable management of these ecological islands is the greatest challenge that currently faced by biodiversity conservationists. In order to recognize and conserve the species useful to human and ecosystem, their identification and taxonomic record are the most essential requirement.

Keeping to the green tradition initiated by Dr. Homi Bhaba, Dr. Baldev Raj, Director, IGCAR, a natural lover, has initiated steps to record and conserve the biodiversity in the ~ 2500 acre DAE campus at Kalpakkam. This exercise assumes greater significance considering the fact that PFBR is under construction and a few more projects are to be located here. Thus, it is imperative to take stock of present biodiversity status for future impact studies. Moreover, the study would also be used for conservation and enhancement of faunal diversity.

This report presents results and analysis of the faunal survey carried out during the last one year at the DAE campus Kalpakkam. The entire survey is prepared as a monograph with photograph and a brief characteristics of each species observed so far. The analysis is largely descriptive and the primary output of the assessment is inventory of birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. The study also throws light on the extent and quality of the critical habitats that support the biodiversity in this campus.

4 Objectives

• To create baseline data on faunal diversity at DAE campus, Kalpakkam. • To study the differential pattern of diversity within the campus with reference to habitat and landscape properties. • Prioritization and site selection for continued survival of biodiversity on the campus • To suggest appropriate strategy for conservation and enhancement of biodiversity.

Study Area

9 The DAE campus at Kalpakkam encompasses seashore and a vast plain area of the Bay of Bengal. The coastal system forms the complex natural site where intense interactions occur among land, sea and atmosphere. The unique interaction throws biological consortia peculiar to this system. It spreads through the biologically diverse and productive habitat for native flora & fauna and aesthetically blended with introduced vegetation.

The entire campus was divided into four representative plots comprising of different landscapes (Fig.1) namely Plot 1 - KKM lake area with riparian woods, Plot 2 - building area, Plot 3 - undisturbed scrub jungle with water bodies and Plot 4 - sandy area with meager vegetation.

Study Methods

The present study is a rapid assessment of biodiversity in the DAE campus, Kalpakkam over a period of one year (April 07’ to March 08’). The procedure involved field surveys of a handful of charismatic taxons such as birds, butterflies, amphibians, reptiles, and mammals. Intensive survey methods followed were night transects in selected grids. In addition, the field team walked extensively covering the entire campus to enumerate different species as and when they were encountered or sighted. Identification of animals was achieved through call songs of animals, binocular observations and photographic evidence. Confirmation of species status was done using identification manuals for birds (Salim ali, 2002), butterflies (Gunathilagaraj, 1998), amphibians and reptiles (Daniel, 2002; Fauna of British India, 1890), mammals (Fauna of British India) and online resources.

5

Fig.1- Satellite image showing the study area with four sampling plots

6

(a)

(b)

Plot No.1 - (a) Area representing lake near KKM gate with natural vegetation and casurina plantation. (b) A close view of KKM lake.

7

Plot No. 2 - Area representing buildings with natural vegetation and ornamental plants

8 Kunnathur Marsh

WIP Lake

Plot No.3- Area representing natural scrub vegetation with water bodies.

Plot No. 4- Figure representing sandy area with meager vegetation.

9

Butterflies Totally twenty two species of butterflies were documented from DAE campus. They represent seven families viz. , Nymphalidae, Danaidae, Pieridae, Papilionidae, Lycaenidae, Acraeidae and Hesperiidae. The most common species recorded were Common crow, Blue tiger, Striped tiger, Plain tiger and Common emigrant. Danaid and Nymphalid butterfly population plays a major role in pollinating some of the ornamental species of plants. Diversity of butterfly was found maximum in building area (plot 2), which inhabits many ornamental flowering plants, both native and introduced.

List of butterflies recorded

S.No COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME FAMILY 1. Blue pansy Precis orithya Nymphalidae 2. Blue tiger Tirumala limniace exoticus Danaidae 3. Common crow Eupioea core core Danaidae 4. Common emigrant Catopsilia Pieridae 5. Common grass yellow Eurema hecabe Pieridae 6. Common gull Cepora nerissa Pieridae 7. Common leopard Phalanta phalantha Nymphalidae 8. Common mormon Papilio polytes polytes Papilionidae 9. Common pierrot Castalius rosimon rosimon Lycaeniidae 10. Common rose Pachliopta aristolochiae aristolochiae Papilionidae 11. Danaid eggfly Hypolimnas misippus Nymphalidae 12. Dark blue tiger Tirumala septentrionis dravidarum Danaidae 13. Indian cupid Everes lacturnus Lycaeniidae 14. Indian palm bob Suastus gremius germius Hesperiidae 15. Indian red admiral Vanessa indica Nymphalidae 16. Lemon pansy Precis lemonias Nymphalidae 17. Lime butterfly Paplilio demoleus Papilionidae 18. Peacock pansy Precis almana almanac Nymphalidae 19. Pioneer Anaphaeis aurota Pieridae 20. Plain tiger Danaus chysippus chrysippus Danaidae 21. Striped tiger Danaus genutia genutia Danaidae 22. Tawty coster Acraea violae Acraeidae

Amphibians

The amphibian fauna of world comprises of about 5150 species. Of this, 247 species are known to be found in India. Within India, comparatively higher concentration of genera and species in amphibian populations are found in South India particularly in Western Ghats. During the present study five species of frogs and one species of toad was recorded. The faunal dynamics in a dry deciduous ecosystem is not often visible due to it’s high degree of interacting diversity. However, in an ecosystem like that of DAE campus where the faunal diversity is not very high, the interacting mechanisms often become apparent. In such an ecosystem the dependence of one faunal group on another and with the environment become much pronounced. Thus, the Bufo sp. population of the campus clearly exhibits its role forming direct link with the food web of the Ophidian (Reptilian) fauna particularly in the scrub.

List of amphibians recorded

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Burrowing frog Sphaerotheca rolandae Common Indian toad Bufo melanostictus Common tree frog Polypedates maculatus Indian five-fingered frog Euphlyctis hexadactylus Paddy field frog Fejervarya limnocharis Painted frog Kaloula taprobanica

10

Reptiles Lizards and snakes are also diverse. Nine species of lizards have been encountered. Totally Nine species of snakes have been recorded. Amongst reptiles, the most commonly encountered reptile was the Garden lizard. Besides the Garden lizard, the following reptiles were also sighted: Little skink, Bark gecko and Bengal monitor (near central stores wall). In contrast, the number of snakes sighted was very low. Common bronzedback was predominant, Typhlops sp. (sand snake) and the Green vine snake were also encountered.

List of reptiles recorded

Snakes COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Banded kukri Oligodon arnensis Common bronzeback Dendrelaphis tristis Common vine snake Ahaetulla nasutus Common wolf snake Lycodon aulicus Rat snake Ptyas mucosus Sand snake Typhlops sp. Striped keelback Amphiesma stolatum Perrotet’s shieldtail snake Plectrurus perrotetti Common krait* Bungarus caeruleus Lizards Bark gecko Hemidactylus leschenaultii Common skink Mabuya macularia Forest lizard Calotes Sp. Garden lizard Calotes versicolor Indian fan-throated lizard Sitana ponticeriana Little skink Lygosoma punctata Bengal monitor Varanus bengalensis Southern house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus Termite hill gecko Hemidactylus triedrus *Highly poisonous

Birds Seventy two species of birds have been recorded in the campus. The most abundant bird species are Black crowned night heron, Common house crow, Great cormorant, Oriental white ibis, Painted stork, Cattle egret, Common myna, Grey heron, Indian pond heron, Little egret, White headed babbler, Asian open bill. Species richness and species abundance was recorded high at KKM lake with riparian woods (plot 1) and at WIP (plot 3). More than 80% of wetland birds were recorded at KKM lake and rest of the wetland birds like common moorhen, purple moorhen and little Grebe were observed at WIP swamp area of plot 3. Even though, human activity is high in building area (plot 2), diversity of common arboreal bird species like Common swallow, Copper smith barbet, Purple rumper sun bird, Red rumper swallow and White throated munia was high. In sandy area (plot 4), a few species of birds such as Small bee eater, Black drongo, White-breasted kingfisher, Indian roller, Black shouldered kite and Common hoopoe were observed on the high power line cables.

11 List of birds recorded

S . N o COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME FAMILY 1. Ash wood-swallow Artamus fuscus Artamidae 2. Asian koel Eudynamys scolopacea Cuculidae 3. Asian openbill Anastomus oscitans Ciconiidae 4. Asian palm swift Cypsiurus parvus Apodidae 5. Black- crowned night heron Nycticorax nycticorax Ardeidae 6. Black drongo Dicrurus macrocercus Dicruridae 7. Black headed gull Larus ridibundus Laridae 8. Black headed munia Lonchura malacca Estrildidae 9. Black-shouldered kite Elanus caeruleus Accipitridae 10. Black-winged stilt Himantopus himantopus Recurvirostridae 11. Blue rock pigeon Columba livia Columbidae 12. Brahminy kite Haliastur indus Accipitridae 13. Brahminy starling Sturnus pagodarum Sturnidae 14. Brown shrinke Lanius cristatus Laniidae 15. Cattle egret Bubulcus ibis Ardeidae 16. Common hoopoe Upupa epops Upupidae 17. Common house crow Corvus splendens Corvidae 18. Common moorhen Gallinula chloropus Rallidae 19. Common myna Acridotheres tristis Sturnidae 20. Common sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos Scolopacidae 21. Common swallow Hirundo rustica Hirundinidae 22. Common tailorbird Orthotomus sutorius Muscicapidae 23. Copper-smith barbet Megalaima aemacephala Capitonidae 24. Darter Anhinga melanogaster Anhingidae 25. Eurasian curlew Numenius arquata Scolopacidae 26. Eurasian golden oriole Oriolus oriolus Oriolidae 27. Forest-wagtail Dendronanthus indicus Motacillidae 28. Great cormorant Phalocrocorax carbo Phalocrocoracidae 29. Greater coucal Centropus sinensis Cuculidae 30. Grey francolin Francolinus pondicerianus Phasianidae 31. Grey heron Ardea cinerea Ardeidae 32. Indian jungle nightjar Caprimulgus indicus Caprimulgidae 33. Indian pond heron Ardeola grayi Ardeidae 34. Indian robin Saxicoloides fulicata Muscicapidae 35. Indian roller Coracias benghalensis Coraciidae 36. Indian treepie Dendrocitta vagabunda Corvidae 37. Kentish plover Charadrius alexandrinus Charadriidae 38. Large pied wagtail Motacilla maderaspatensis Motacillidae 39. Lesser golden-backed Dinopium benghalense Picidae woodpecker 40. Lesser pied kingfisher Ceryle rudis Alcedinidae 41. Lesser whistling duck Dendrocygna javanica Anatidae 42. Little brown dove Streptopelia senegalensis Columbidae 43. Little egret Egretta garzetta Ardeidae 44. Little grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis Podicipedidae 45. Little-ringed plover Charadrius dubius Charadriidae 46. Loten’s sunbird Nectarinia lotenia Nectarinidae 47. Northern pintail Anas acuta Anatidae 48. Oriental magpie robin Copsychus saularis Muscicapidae 49. Oriental white ibis Threskiornis melanocephalus Threskiornithidae 50. Paddyfield pipit Anthus rufulus Motacillidae 51. Painted stork Mycteria leucocephala Ciconiidae 52. Pallas’s gull Larus ichthyaetus Laridae 53. Pheasant-tailed jacana Hydrophasianus chirurgus Jacanidae

12 54. Purple heron Ardea purpurea Ardeidae 55. Purple moorhen Porphyrio porphyrio Rallidae 56. Purple-rumper sunbird Nectarinia lotenia Nectarinidae 57. Red-rumped swallow Hirundo daurica Hirundinidae 58. Red-vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer Pycnonotidae 59. Red-wattled lapwing Vanellus indicus Charadriidae 60. Rose ringed parakeet Psittacula krameri Psittacidae 61. Shikra Accipiter badius Accipitridae 62. Small bee-eater Merops orientails Meropidae 63. Small blue kingfisher Alcedo atthis Alcedinidae 64. Spot billed duck Anas poecilorhyncha Anatidae 65. Spot billed pelican Pelecanus philippensis Pelecanidae 66. Spotted dove Streptopelia chinensis Columbidae 67. Spotted owlet Athene brama Strigidae 68. White breasted water-hen Amaurornis phoenicurus Rallidae 69. White headed babbler Turdoides affinis Muscicapidae 70. White-breasted kingfisher Halcyon smyrnensis Alcedinidae 71. White-throated munia Lonchura malabarica Estrildidae 72. Wood sandpiper Tringa glaveola Scolopacidae

Mammals:

Sixteen species of mammals were observed during the survey. Surprisingly Small Indian civet and Black-naped Hare were located here. The interesting mammal Indian crested porcupine was recorded and their number was relatively high near water bodies like KKM and WIP gate. The most common mammals are the Three striped palm Squirrel and Bonnet macaque. The Flying fox was observed to wander over long distance each night in search of food. In the process, it carries and disperses seeds far and wide. Roosts of the Flying fox were observed near KKM Lake. However, in richness, small carnivore’s mammals may be more on the Campus. The mixed pattern of vegetation at plot 3 supports the maximum number of mammals like Indian crested porcupine, Small Indian civet, Grey mongoose and Golden jackal especially on the open grassland and near water bodies. Herds of undomesticated cattle are thriving in this area and the bulls are highly territorial and some times dangerous to unaware intruders. Two hunting groups of Jackals are also witnessed from this same area. Small carnivorous mammals act as key stone species which maintains the bird population in the ecosystem.

List of mammals recorded

COMMON NAME SCIENTIFIC NAME Asian water buffalo Bubalus bubalis Black-naped hare Lepus nigricollis Bonnet macaque Macaca radiata Domestic cat Felis catus Domestic cattle Bos taurus Domestic dog Canis familiaris Flying fox (Fruit bat) Pteropus giganteus Golden jackal Canis aureus House (Roof, Black) rat Rattus rattus House mouse Mus musculus Indian (Three-striped) palm squirrel Funambulus palmarum Indian crested porcupine Hystrix indica Indian grey mongoose Herpestes edwardsii Jungle cat Felis chaus Small Indian civet Viverricula indica Wild bore Sus scrofa

13 Habitat biodiversity in DAE campus

Habitats that are critical to the survival of certain rare and endangered species such as the Civet, Golden jackal, Porcupine and Spot billed pelican are rather localized on the campus. The major critical habitats are located within Plot No-1 and Plot No-3.

Critical Habitats

Wetland The north part of the Campus is blessed with brackish water lake (KKM lake). Over the years, the northwest part of the lake has become marshy in nature but it is well protected from human intervention. This area is one of the critical habitats that support the aquatic, semi-aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Rich diversity of birds are found from this area. The marshy vegetation is a refuge for many mammals and other animals (Plot No-1). Rainwater from KARP/WIP site has resulted in a habitat, which is more of a swampy vegetation (plot No-3), where animals enjoy total privacy. Due to its varied habitat structure, it contributes much more to the wetland biodiversity than to the lake or ponds. Birds such as the Indian moorhen and Purple moorhen are restricted to these areas. This is one of the favorite spots for avian visitors. One more marshy land is also available near Kunnathur gate. The large grasses there act as a breeding ground for birds and other animals.

Riparian Corridor

The riparian corridors act as nesting place for resistant birds. The riparian zone in the KKM lake area is more dense with . Acacia polycantha, Terminalia arjun, Ficus benghalensis. If properly managed, this corridor will not only improve the productivity, but also act as nesting grounds for aquatic birds. Rousting groups of bats were also observed in this area. Casuarina and other tall trees are vital for the survival of these less understood creatures.

Scrub

The dry areas of the DAE premises shelter scattered patches of small thorny plants. One of the important tree species is Acacia polycantha . Shrubs like Canthium dicoccum, Euphorbia antoquaram, Martynia annua and Calotropis gigantea are common. These bushes provide excellent shelter for small mammals and reptiles. Thorny stragglers like Capparis sp., Toddalia asiatica and twiners render protection from predators.

Reference:

Boulenger, G. A. (1890) Fauna of British India . Reptilia and Batrachia. (Taylor and Francis, London).

Daniel, J. C. (2002). The book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibians. Bombay National History Society, Delhi.

Gunathilagaraj, K., Perumal, T. N. A., Jayaram, K and Ganesh Kumar, M.(1998) Some South Indian butterflies. Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association. TN. India. Pp-274.

Ranjit Daniels, R.J, Jayshree Vencatesan, Ramakantha, V, Jean-Philippe Puyravaud, Ramachandran, V. S, Arumugam, R, Anish Andheria, Archana Bali, Anand, M. O and Jignasu, D. (2006) Rapid Assessment of Biodiversity on the Campus of Indian Institute of Technology – Madras. Report submitted to director.Pp-64.

Salim Ali. (2002) The Book of Indian birds. Bombay Natural History Society-Oxford University Press. Pp-326.

UNEP (Heywood, ed.). 1995. Global Biodiversity Assessment

FAO, 1996. global plan of action for the conservation and sustainable utilization of plants genetic resuoces for food and agricultural, FAO, Rome.

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DIGITAL CATALOGS FOR FIELD IDENTIFICATION

Digital catalog I

Butterfly fauna of DAE campus

Digital catalog II

Amphibian fauna of DAE campus

Digital catalog III

Reptilian fauna of DAE campus

Digital catalog IV

Avian fauna of DAE campus

Digital catalog V

Mammalian fauna of DAE campus

15 BLUE PANSY

Precis orithya (Linnaeus)

Adult: Dorsal side male FW basal two-thirds black and apex pale brown with white transverse bands. HW predominantly bright blue (hence the common name). Both wing with 2 orange-ringed ocelli each female larger, pale almost light brown. Blue markings in the HW slight and orange-ringed spots bigger than in male. Ventral side grayish brown with white markings and wavy lines. Ocelli visible in FW only. Wingspan 40-60 mm.

One of the prettiest of Indian butterflies, found throughout the country but more in dry open plains than in forests. Very active during the hottest part of the day. Dry river beds and stony paths are its favorite habitats. On the wing throughout the year in the plains but at higher elevations found only during April-October.

Visits the flowers of Aztec Marigold, Bachelor’s button, Lantana, Lucerne, Heliotrope, Vicoa vestita, Celosia pyramidalis, etc.

Larva: Dark, shining purple-brown, with orange spots and 2 spines. Body with white-spotted double dorsal stripe, 2 lateral yellow stripes and short spines.

Feeds on Sweet potato, Striga, Snapdragon, Ruellia prostrata, Amaranthus, Glory bind, Starthorn, Justicia micrantha, J. quinquangularis, J. procumbens, etc.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Arabia, Africa, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, China, Hongkong, Taiwan, Japan and Australia.

16 BLUE TIGER

Tirumala limniace exoticus Gmelin

(= Danaus limniace leopardus (Butler))

Adult: Dorsal side black with irregular pale blue streaks and marginal spots. Ventral side golden brown. FW with black basal area. Male with a pendulous pouch. Wingspan 90-100 mm.

One of the commonest butterflies in India, both in plains and in hills except the deserts and higher altitudes. A slow flier, flutters the wings majestically in the wooded places and hedges. While alighting on a flower, flutters its wings vigorously and while sipping nectar, keeps the wings spread motionless. Fond of flowers of Pink Cocks’ comb, Aztec Marigold, Lucerne, Lantana, Heliotrope, Sunhemp, etc.

Larva: Pale green to yellowish white. Segments ringed with 4 black lines, black-edged yellow lateral band and a pair of long pale green, black-tipped fleshy filaments on segments 3 and 12.

Feeds mostly on plants of Asclepaidaceae, especially Madar, Rajmahal Hemp, Common Waxplant, Emetic Swallowwort, Dregea volubilis, etc.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand.

17 COMMON CROW

Euploea core core (Cramer)

Adult: Dorsal side glossy brown with marginal and terminal white spots either equal or decreasing in size. FW much darker than HW with short band. HW marginal spots more prominent. Ventral side light brown with markings as above mostly and the brand in FW very conspicuous. Wingspan 80-95 mm.

One of the commonest butterflies with a number of races and forms based on the degree of spotting. Male often sails with its curved abdomen and extended powder puff-like yellow hair pencils. A strong migrant with the habit of resting in large numbers before and during migration. Visits flowers of Fiddle-leaved Jatropha, Scarlet-bush, Lantana, Common Zinnia, Pink Cocks’ comb, Aztec Marigold, Ber, Land Caltrops, Euphrobia geniculata, etc.

Larval: Chocolate brown. Segments ringed with white and brickred lines, lateral yellow and white stripes and 4 pairs of purplish brown filaments (on 2, 3, 5 and 11) that on the second, the longest.

Feeds on Oleader, Peepal, Banyan, Cluster Fig, Ficus spp., Easter tree, Creeper, Indian Sarsaparilla, Cryptolepis elegans C. pauciflora, C. longiflora, Streblus asper, etc.

Distribution: India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Indonesia, Thailand, China and Australia.

18 COMMON EMIGRANT

Catopsilia crocale (Cramer)

Adult: Dorsal side pale yellow or white with sulphur-yellow base in male always and in female usually. Male FW with a narrow black border in the costa, apex and termen without any spots. Female border broader in the FW. Costal black margin ending in spots end cell and apex spotted in ground colour. HW with a wavy terminal black border. Ventral side without any markings in both sexes. In dry season forms, Female deep yellow in colour with the black border reduced in FW and none in the HW. Dark yellow with brown patches on the FW and elongated brown area with 2 white spots on HW. Wingspan 55-75mm.

Larva: Green body rough with minute black spots and a white lateral line sandwiched between an upper black line and a lower olive green stripe. Feed on Indian Laburnum, Flame of the Forest, many other plants of Fabaceae.

Distribution: India, Pakistan and South East Asian Countries.

19 COMMON GRASS YELLOW

Eurema hecabe simulata Moore

(=Terias hecabe (Linnaeus))

Adult: Dorsal side bright yellow. FW with broadly black excavated border in the apex and termen. HW with narrow irregular border. The borders broader in female. Ventral side both wings yellow. FW with 2 cell black spots and the border not or less excavated in dry season form. Irregular ring spots outside the cell in both wings. Wingspan 40-50 mm.

An extremely variable species with many races / varieties and seasonal forms. The commonest of the 6 species of Grass Yellows in India. An avid mud puddler especially male in damp patches and a compulsive migrant in the south. Visits flowers of Acacias. Horse- Purslane, Land- Caltrops, Lantana, Fiddle - leaved Jatropha, Ceylon Carissa, Bachelor's Button, Dividivi, Euphorbia geniculata, etc.

Larva: Green. Body rough, hairless with yellowish white lateral streak.

Feeds mostly on species of Cassia and Acacia, especially the Sickle Senna, Indian Laburnum, Manila Tamarind, Dhencha, Dividivi, Fenugreek, Mysore thorn Caesalpinia, Wagatea spicata, Albizia spp., etc.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Fiji, Japan, Tonga, New Guinea, Korea, Australia and South eastern China.

20 COMMON GULL

Cepora nerissa (Fabricius)

(= Huphina nerissa (Fabricius))

Adult: Female Dorsal side white with grayish blue shade at the base and along the veins. FW with black veins. Apex broadly black narrowing at the tornus with white spots. HW with triangular marginal black spots. Ventral side FW white with yellow costa and apex. Veins broadly margined on both sides with dusky black. HW yellow with diffusely black - bordered veins and aconspicuous, pre- costal chrome yellow spot. Female Dorsal side brownish black. FW with white stripes and spots. HW with a sub marginal series of grayish white double spots and a broad white cell stripe. Ventral side similar to male but with broadly margined veins. Wingspan 50-65 mm.

Common throughout the plains of India, and up to 1300 m in the Himalayas and 2600 m in the hills of South India. Abundant throughout the year in the plains and from June- November in the hills of South India. A strong migrant. With strong and fast flight, files straight and close to the ground. Fond of basking on an Butterfly bush, Pomegranate, Bougainvillea, Lucerne, Cotton, Sunflower, Blumea ambigua, etc.

Larva: Green. Body rough with minute black spots and a white lateral line sandwiched between an upper black line and a lower olive green stripe.

Feeds on Indian Laburnum, Flame of the Forest, Kassod-tree, Sickle Senna, Common Mountain Ebony and many other plants of Fabaceae.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines, Taiwan, Solomon Islands and Australia.

21 COMMON LEOPARD

Phalanta phalantha phalantha (Drury)

(=Atella phalantha (Drury))

Adult: Dorsal side bright yellowish brown with rows of black spots and wavy lines. Markins slightly larger in female. Ventral side very pale brownish. Markings as above but indistinct. HW with a pinkish tinge. Wingspan 50-60 mm.

An insect of dry weather, occurring at the edges of the jungles, on the plains, in the gardens and up to 2500 m in the Himalayas. Avoids shady places and drinks from damp patches and on wet roads during hot weather. Visits flowers of Lantana, Thistles, Pigeon berry, etc. Also known as the Leopard Butterfly.

Larva: Dark brown to pale yellowish green or grey with oily glossy smooth body having 65 longitudinal rows of sharp branched spines with white or yellowish spot at the base of each spine.

Feeds mostly on plants of Bixaceae, especially Madagascar Plum, Laurel Greenbrier, Indian Willow, Flacouria montana, etc.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South-Western Arabia, Africa, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, Japan and Hongkong.

22 COMMON MORMON

Papilio polytes polytes ( Linnaeus )

Adult: Dorsal side black. FW with terminal series of white or yellow spots, decreasing in size towards the apex. HW with complete discal band of elongate white spots, more prominent in female, ending in a red lunule in the tornal region and submarginal series of crimson lunules in female. Wingspan 90-100 mm.

The female of this black bodies swallowtail occurs in three different colour forms: one resembling the male and the other tow mimicking the 2 red-bodied swallowtails: the Common Rose, P.aristolochiae and the Crimson Rose, P.hector .

Most common swallowtail butterfly occurring near human habitations, especially in the gardens and fields cultivated with curry-leaf, orange, lemons, etc. Occurs everywhere in open woods and gardens at low elevations. Flies close to the ground among bushes, hedges, but does not come to wet places. Male swift flier than female. One of the most interesting butterflies and an excellent candidate for both field and genetic studies. Visits flowers of Dividivi, Acacias, Cassia spp., etc.

Larva: Rich grayish green dorsally and yellowish at the sides, with an yellow bead, black ocellus and yellow crest on segments 4 and 5,2 tubercles at both ends, while and red blotched bands and markings on the posterior segments.

Feeds on cultivated Citrus, especially Orange, Lime Berry, Lime, Curry Leaf, Bael, Malay Glycosmis, Garden Rue and other Plants of Rutaceae.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, China, Bangaldesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Japan, Philippines and Moluccas.

23 COMMON PIERROT

Castalius rosimon rosimon (Fabricius)

Adult: Dorsal side white with blue base and black markings. FW with a narrow blackish brown costal band, a outer marginal band, a large discocellular spot and an outer discal row of 5 spots. HW basal spots clouded by blue scales. Outer marginal band traversed by a row by slender white conical rings. Tail black with white tip. Ventral side white with deep black markings. FW with markings as above. HW with 2 sub-basal streaks near the abdominal margin and an outer band of 6 spots in 3 pairs. Both wings with a subterminal row of small rounds spots. Spots coalesece to form bands in female. Wingspan 24-32 mm.

It is a monobasic genus and other species originally allotted under it are now under other genera. A common butterfly in open areas and thinly wooded country up to 1300 m South India and up to 2500 m in the Himalayas. With weak flight, it always flies close to the ground frequently settling on leaves. Fond of sunshine and basking more after the rains. Visits flowers, damp patches, dead insects and bird droppings.

Larva: Bright green with 2 dorsal faint yellow bands and 2 or 3 black spots in the abdominal region.

Distribution: Throughout the Oriental region.

24 COMMON ROSE

Pachliopta aristolochiae aristolochiae (Fabricius)

(= Tros aristolochiae (Febricius))

Adult: Dorsal side black. FW discal area paler with black-fold stripes and well marker pale vein-stripes. HW with a prominent tail, 5 elongate white discal spots and red submarginal spots. Female paler with broader wings. Ventral side discal spot in the anal area red. In FW similar to the Female of the Common Mormon, Papilio polytes , Rose Windmill, pachliopta latreillei and spots in HW proxi-mally reduced. Wingspan 80100mim.

Ared-bodied swallowtail with 6 subspecies. But only aristolochiae and diphilus forms are common. Both forms fly together, but aristolochiae is the common form during rainy season. Male emits a strong and slightly pungent odour. Distributed throughout India, except in dense and wet forests. Seldom ascends above 1300 m in the hills. Migratory and roosts in large numbers together with the Crimson Rose P. hector . Fight slow and deliberate. Fond of flowers of Fabaceae. One of the female of Papilio pplytes is an excellent mimic of this butterfly. The female of the Zygaenid moth, Histia nilgira is a fine example of co-mimicry of this butterfly.

Larva: Black with red-fleshy short tubercles. Segments 11 and 12 with a white spot at the anterior base of the subdorsal tubercle. Segment 8 with a smaller white spot at the posterior and a larger one at the anterior base of subdorsal tubercle and segment 7 white in the posterior half. Osmeterium orange.

Feeds on Aristolochia tagala, A. griffithi and Indian Birthwort.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines and China.

25 DANAID EGGFLY

Hypolimnas misippus (Linnaeus)

Adult: In male, Dorsal side black with dark iridescent blue or violet-ringed white, oval discal patch on both wings. FW with a small oval spot in the apex. Ventral side , oval spots prominent which in the HW occupy the entire discal area and a prominent black costal spot. Female Dorsal side orange or orange-brown, mimics the Plain Tiger, Danaus chrysippus. FW with white-spotted, black apex and costa. HW with a prominent black costal spot and more wavy margin. Ventral side FW as above. HW light orange with 3 black spots and a row of small submarginal white spots. Wingspan 70-85 mm.

An inhabitant of open country with moderate rainfall, it is a strong and fast filer. Male more common than female, which is an excellent mimic of the Plain Tiger, D. chrysippus chrysippus from which it can be differentiated by the more wavy HW margins and one prominent costal spot on the dorsal side as against 3 or 4 spots in the Plain Tiger. Male highly territorial, often found basking in the sun by resting on bushes or ground with continuous slow movement of wings to the sides. Visits flowers of Lantana, Common Zinnia, Ceylon Carissa, Sunflower, Aztec Marigold, Bachelor’s Button, Golden Groundsel, Vipersbugloss, etc. Also known as the Common Eggfly and the Diadem.

Larva: Purple-brown, thickest in the middle, covered with minute white spots. Head with 2 small horns and body with 9 rows of spines.

Feeds on Common Purslane, Country Mallow, White Barleria, Bluebell Barleria, Asytasia gangetica, justicia betonica , Portulaca tuberosa, etc.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan, Japan, Africa, and Australia

26 DARK BLUE TIGER

Tirumala septentrionis dravidarun (Fruhstorfer)

Adult: Dorsal side back with pale blue markings similar to the blue tiger. HW with a characteristic wish-bone marking in the cell, formed by 2 white streaks joined at the base. Ventral side darker than in blue tiger but with out golden brown tinge. Wingspan 80-105 mm.

A common butterfly in the hills of South India, up to 2700 m. Active throughout the year but common at low elevation during wet season.

Larva: White with 2 pairs of fleshy tentacles and black rings. Feeds on Vallaris glabra , Dregea volubilis , etc.

Distribution: India, Sri lanka, Pakistan, and South East Asian countries.

27 INDIAN CUPID

Everas lacturnus syntala Cantile

(=Everes parrhasius (Fabricius))

Adult: In male dorsal side deep violet-blue with a brown/black outer marginal band in both wings. HW with broad, black costal margin and a marginal row of white bordered black spots, the 2 middle spots with orange inner border and white-tipped black tail. Ventral side grayish white with white edged markings. FW with a prominent lunular marks at the end of the cell and a discal row of 6 lunular marks. HW with 3 sub-basal black spots, an apical spot, a brown central lunule and discal row of lunules. Both wings with a terminal brown line enclosing 2 large sub-anal black spots having orange inner margin. Female paler and whiter than male on the ventral side Wingspan 22-28 mm.

A butterfly of jungles or hill country, but distributed both in plains and on the foot hills. Abundant at low elevations in South India but found up to 2000 m in the Himalayas and Sri Lanka. Male visit damp patches.

Larva: Pale green with dark dorsal stripe, lateral streaks and light brown and white spots.

Feeds mainly on plants of Fabaceae.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

28 INDIAN RED ADMIRAL

Vanessa indica pholoe (Fruhstorfer)

(=Vanessa indica (Herbst.))

Adult: Dorsal side dark brown or black. FW with a red central band having 3 large black spots, 2 rows of white apical spots (outer row very small). HW golden brown with marginal red band having small black spots in the center. Ventral side darker. FW with 3 small blue spots beyond the cell. HW with dark purplish black mottling having selender white margins. Wingspan 55-65 mm.

A butterfly of wooded regions with rapid up and down darting flight, frequently settling on the ground with half open wings. Often comes readily to rotten fruits. Abundant in places of its food plant, the Nettle. Flies up to 3000m in the Himalayas and 1000 m in South India and Sri Lanka.

Larva: Spiny, black with dark yellow spots and 4 rows of branched spines.

Feeds mostly in groups on Nettles by tying the adjacent leaves into a ball.

Adult: Dorsal side pale yellow or white with sulphur-yellow base in male always and in female usually. male FW with a narrow black border in the costa, apex and termen without any spots. Female border broader in the FW. Costal black margin ending in spots end cell and apex spotted in ground colour, HW with a wavy terminal black border. Ventral side without any markings in both sexes. In dry season forms, Female deep yellow in colour with the black border reduced in FW and none in the HW. Dark yellow with brown patches on the FW and elongated brown area with 2 white spots on HW. Wingspan 55-75mm.

Very common and variable species of butterfly and a strong migrant. A fast filer, covering long distances, high above the grounds in straight, powerful, up-and-down curved flight pattwm wet places in the Western Ghats. Visits flowers of Lantana, Finddle-leaved Jatropha, Poinsettia etc.

29 Butterfly bush, Pomegranate, Bougainvillea, Lucerne, Cotton, Sun flower, Blumea ambigua , etc.

Larva: Green Body rough with minute black spots and a white lateral line sandwiched between an upper black line and a lower olive green stripe.

Feeds on Indian Laburnum, Flame of the Forest, Kassod-tree, Sickle Senna, Common Mountain Ebony and many other plants of Fabaceae.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, China, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and Australia.

30 LEMON PANSY

Precis Lemonias Lemonias (Linnaeus)

Adult: Dorsal side dark brown or grayish brown. FW with black lines, yellowish brown spots and 2 red ocelli, the lower one larger and prominent. HW with a large apical red ocellus enclosing 2 minute with spots and smaller lower black spot. Ventral side yellowish brown in male. Pinkish brown in female with several wavy lines and the lower ocellus in the FW alone visible mostly. Wingspan 45-60 mm.

The most common of the 6 Pansies in India. Very bold butterfly with strong territorial and aggressive behaviour but not as much as the Peacock Pansy. Flies Quickly and strongly but with less fluttering of wings. Generally rests on the ground but not so frequently as the other Pansies and visits damp patches more often than the others of the genus. Like the chocolate Pansy, more abundant in forests and distributed throughout South and Central India, up to South Gujarat in the West and West Bengal in the East. In the Himalayas, seen up to 2700m from Kashmir up to Asssm. Besides Aztec Marigold, it visits flowers of Lantana, Bachelor’s Button, Lindley Butterflybush, Ceylon Carissa, Coreopsis tinctoria , etc.

Larva: Spiny, pale grey with dark black dorsal lines, pale lateral lines and minute white spots, each segment with 8 orange, small branched spines.

Feeds on Starthorn, Broomjute Side, Jute, Ruellia prostrata, Nelsonia canescens, N.campestris, Barleria prionitis, etc.

Distribution: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Philippines.

31 LIME BUTTERFLY

Paplilio demoleus (Linnaeus)

Adult: Dorsal side black with yellow spots . HW with a tail and with a brick red oval spot anteriorly bordered with blue lunule at the inner margin and a bluish spot near the costa margin. Yellow wavy marking at the base of both wings. Ventral side FW almost black with 7 yellow streaks at the base and few orange spots. Wingspan 80-100 mm.

Known as Lemon or Citrus butterfly. Present allover the country. It visits flowers of Citrus, radish and curry leaf, etc.

Larva: Dark brown with white markings, resembling bird droppings. Grown up larva pale yellowish green with dull yellowish brown and grey lateral markings/ stripes. Considered as minor pest of mature citrus trees but severe attacks quiet common in nurseries and small trees feeds on wood apple, curry leaf and berry, etc.

Distribution: India, Sri lanka, Pakistan, some South East Asian countries and Northern Australia.

32 PEACOCK PANCY

Precis almana almanac (Linnaeus)

Adult: Dorsal side light yellowish brown with 2 ocelli each in both wings; that near apex of HW large, having 2 white spots in peacock back-ground and surrounded by yellow and black rings (hence the common name). FW with dark costa bars and both wings with brown wavy margin. Ventral side leaf like, brownish in male and yellowish in female. Ocelli more prominent in female during dry season. Wingspan 60-65 mm.

Most common butterfly in our country. Found basking during early morning in sunny patches, offen surrended by darker shadey area when it appears like an orange-face Owl, thus scaring away potential invertebrate predator. It visits flowers of Aztec marigold, Lantana, Land Caltrops, etc.

Larva: Smoky black with orange neck and black tiped light orange spines and minute hairs covering the body. Feeds on starthorn, common gloxinia and rice, etc.

Distribution: India, Sri lanka, Pakistan, and South East Asian countries.

33 PIONEER

Anaphaeis aurota (Fabricius)

(=Belenois aurota (Moore))

Adult: In male dorsal side white with black apex in the FW and black outer margins in both wings. Black area with white spots elongated in the FW and rounded in the HW. Female similar to male, but with thicker and broader veins, apex and outer margins. A characteristic hockey stick like spot in the middle of FW. Ventral side male spots in the apex, yellowish in the FW and yellow with black veins in HW. Female more yellowish during wet season during wet season. Wingspan 50-60 mm.

Also called as the Brown-veined White and the Caper White. A strong migrant, it inhabits open dry country throughout India, except for Assam and eastwards. In the Himalayas, it flies up to 2800 m. Visits flowers of Red gram. Land-Caltrops, etc.

Larva: Yellowish green. Body with broad greenish brown lateral band, spotted with white, green, brown and yellow blotches and clothed with short, fine hairs.

Feeds mainly on plants of Capparidaceae, especially Indian Caper, Capparis divaricata, C. deciduas, C. rheedii, C. zeylancia, Cadaba fruticosa, Maerua arenaria, etc.

Distribution: India, Pakistan; Afghanistan, Bhutan, Madagascar, Africa, Myanmar and Australia.

34 PLAIN TIGER

Danaus chrysippus chrysippus (Linnaeus)

(=Danais chrysippus (Linnaeus))

Adult: Dorsal side reddish brown with black borders in both wings and black apex in FW. FW with variable number of white spots in the costa and apex. HW with 4 small black around the cell in male and 3 in female and a pouch in male. Ventral side dull orange. FW dark brown in the upper half with white spots in the black area and HW with six black spots. Wingspan 70-80 mm.

It is the commonest of all Indian butterflies and the strongest flier of the genus Danaus spp. Found throughout the country, including the deserts and in the hills up to throughout the country, including the deserts and in the hills up to 3000 m. Flies in an undulating fashion and generally remains on wing for considerably longer periods. The female of the Danaid Eggfly, Hypolimnas misippus; the Leopard Lacewing, Cethosia cyane and the Indian Fritillary, Argyreus hyperbius hybrida mimic this butterfly.

Larva: Pale bluish grey with five transverse black and yellow bands in each segment, lateral yellow bands and a pair of black, fleshy filaments on 3, 6 and 12 th segments, filaments crimson at the base.

Feeds mainly on milkweeds (Asclepiadaceae), many of which have secondary chemicals (cardenolides: heart poisons) bitter or emetic to browsing vertebrates. Especially on Madar, Swallowwort, Blood flower, French Tamarisk, Rocket-salad, Asclepias semilunata, etc.

Distribution: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Japan, and Australia.

35 STRIPED TIGER

Danaus genutia genutia (Cramer)

(=Danais plexippus (Linnaeus)

Adult: Dorsal side orange-brown with bold black veins, black and white apical and marginal bands. Ventral side pale with more prominent black lines along the veins. Wingspan 75-95 mm.

Popularly known as the Monarch Butterfly all over the world. Also known as the Common Tiger, a well known migrant, found throughout India in areas of heavy rainfall, preferring forest edges and scrub jungles and up to 2700 m in the hills. Mimics the Tiger Palmfly Elymnias nesaea and the Lacewings. Visits flowers of Fiddle-leaved Jatropha, Indian Chestnut, Lantana, Soapnut tree, Radish, Father Cocks’ comb, Chinese Sumac, Cadillo, etc.

Larva: Black with a pair of fleshy filaments on segments 3 (longest), 6 and 12, and each segment with 3 dorsal white streaks, 3 white spots and transversely elongated yellow spots.

Feeds on milkweeds, especially Blood flower, Madagascar Jasmine, Ceropegia, Swallowwort, Marsdenia tinctoria, Raphistemma , Pulchellum, R. Lemma, Tylophora Camosa, Oxystelina Exculentum, etc.

Distribution: Entire oriental region, the Americans, Australia, Canary Islands and Mediterranean countries.

36 TAWNY COSTER

Aracea Violae (Fabricius)

(= Telchinia violae (Fabricius)

Adult: In male dorsal side brick red. FW with black apex and prominent black spots and streaks. HW with a marginal black border having a row of pale yellow spots. Female pale coloured with broad markings and marginal bands. Ventral side female glossy red. HW with a cluster of 5 black-ringed white spots in the base and the marginal band with larger yellowish white spots and inner border. Female dull coloured. HW with large spots in the marginal band. Wingspan 50-60 mm.

The only South Indian representative of the large family. Common throughout the country in areas of heavy rainfall. A slow flier, fluttering unsteadily, close to the ground. Often found basking in the early morning hours. Exudes an yellowish, bad smelling, oily liquid when disturbed, perhaps for protection. Visits flowers of Land-Caltrops, Lantana, Chinese Chaste tree, Tall Chaste tree, Monk’s Pepper tree, etc.

Larva: Reddish brown with 6 rows of long, branched spines in each segment.

Feeds mostly on plants of Passifloraceae and Urticaceae, including Passion fruit, Edible Passion fruit, Stinking Passion fruit, Adenia Hondala and other plants like Mango, Cucurbits, Mesta, Bamana, etc.

Distribution: India and Sri Lanka.

Reference:

Gunathilagaraj, K., Perumal, T. N. A., Jayaram, K and Ganesh Kumar, M.(1998) Some South Indian butterflies. Nilgiri Wildlife and Environment Association. TN. India. Pp-274.

37

Digital catalog II

Amphibian fauna of DAE campus

38 COMMON INDIAN TOAD

Bufo melanostictus

Description

Head with distinct rostral, preorbital, supraorbital, postorbital and a short orbito-tympanic, cranial crests; no temporal ridge; interorbital space much broader than upper eyelid; tympanum very distinct, at least two third the diameter of the eye; first finger generally but not always extends beyond second; double subarticular tubercles only under third finger. Toes with single subarticular tubercle; parotid elipticle, with dark brown scattered branching concretions; skin heavily tuberculated on flanks, tubercles usually tipped with dark brown spines; a lateral dorsal staggered row of 8-9 enlarged tubercles; cranial crests, lips, digit tips, metacarpal and metatarsal tubercles are cornified with dark brown, which tend to peal off in preserved specimens; head is almost smooth.

Color: Dorsum uniform gray of various shades, brown or reddish with dark spots, ventrum uniform dirty white, speckled with light brown on chin and throat. The throat of breeding male is light orange or yellow. It develops cornified pads on inner side of first and second fingers.

Distribution and Habitat

India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam.

Life History and Behavior

Life history notes: A rare toad in Pakistan mostly confined to the low northern hilly ranges and Kashmir. Nocturnal, appears soon after sunset; during day hides under stones, logs, piles of vegetation, holes and crevices among stones and in ground. Once a suitable place is selected, it is permanently shared with several toads.

In temperate environs of western Himalayas, the breeding is initiated by the monsoon rains, from July to August. Males, gather in shallow side-pools along torrents and ponds. The call in low melodious "curr, curr, curr" repeated several times ending in a whistling note. The calling males become quite aggressive, tugging and jumping over each other, males for exceed female in numbers.

39 It breeds in every available space containing some water from first showers of monsoon rains in the southern India (McCann, 1938). Males are much smaller than females. However, in tropical southeast Asia, the toad is known to breed throughout the year (Church, 1960).

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

General habitat alteration and loss Habitat modification from deforestation, or logging related activities. Prolonged drought drainage of habitat Local pesticides, fertilizers, and pollutants. Long- distance pesticides, toxins, and pollutants

IUCN: Least Concern (LC)

40 COMMON TREE FROG

Polypedates maculates

Description

Snout-vent length of mature males 34-57 mm, females 44-89 mm. Dorsum smooth, chin and chest smoothly granular, venter and ventral side of thigh granular. Males with single internal vocal sac and nuptial pad at base of first finger. Dorsum olivaceous to chestnut, sometimes brownish-yellow or grey with scattered dark spots; loreal and temporal regions dark brown or black; limbs with dark cross- bars. Hinder side of thighs with round yellow spots which are usually separated by a dark brown network (Daniel 2002). However, I have never found a specimen with such spots.

Distribution and Habitat

India, Nepal, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. A typical frog of moist deciduous forest. This frog has become semi-urban, especially in cities with extensive gardens.

Life History and Behavior

Sexual maturity is attained at a SVL of 35 mm in males and 41 mm in females. Breeding-time is the monsoon season. The call of the male frog is heard after sunset. Amplexus is axilliar, with males holding females at the level of the armpit. The foam-nest is semiglobular in shape with a flat bottom attached to the substrate. Fresh foam is white, becoming dirty white or brown. Trees overhanging water tanks and pools are used as spawning sites. Size of foam-nest: 65-92 mm in diameter, eggs are pure white and 1.2-1.5 mm in diameter; up to 850 eggs in a single foam-nest. Tadpoles take 55 days for complete metamorphosis, feeding on desmids, diatoms and algae.

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

Local pesticides, fertilizers, and pollutants. Long-distance pesticides, toxins, and pollutants.

Comments

P. maculatus is capable of a rapid adaptation to substrate color. Also, this species is often confused with Polypedates leucomystax .

IUCN: Least Concern (LC)

41 INDIAN FIVE-FINGERED FROG

Euphlyctis hexadactylus

Description

Size of males: 90 mm, females 130 mm; E. hexadactylus has a flattish snout with indistinct canthus rostalis; tympanum is distinct, equal or slightly less than a diameter of eye; first finger longer or equal than second; toes fully webbed; bright grass green or olive green above; with or without a pale yellow vertebral stripe line from snout to vent; ventrally and on flanks white or yellowish white; juvenile have bars or spots of dark green and black on the back; males with external vocal sacs; aquire nuptial pads on the outer aspect on the first and second finger at breeding time.

Distribution and Habitat

Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.

Southern India, Rajasthan and Bengal, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh up to 760 m above sea level. Found in ponds with dense aquatic vegetation for merging the body.

Life History and Behaviors

Fully aquatic species. Found swimming on surface inside vegetation. Breeding is during monsoon; lays 2000 eggs with a diameter of 1 mm. Feeding on insects and other frogs.

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

Urbanization, local pesticides, fertilizers, long-distance pesticides, toxins, and pollutants.

IUCN: Least Concern (LC)

42 PADDY FIELD FROG

Fejervarya limnocharis

Description

Snout pointed, projecting beyond mouth. Canthus obtuse, loreal oblique, more or less concave. Internarial space is longer than interorbital width, which is much less than width of the upper eyelid. Tympanum distinct, half to two third the diameter of eye. Fingers obtusely pointed, first longer than second, subarticular tubercles very prominent.Tibiotarsal articulation reaches tympanum or naris. Toes obtuse or with slightly swollen tips, half webbed, subarticular tubercles small and prominent. Body with small tubercles, sometimes small longitudinal folds are present, ventrum smooth except belly and thighs which are granular posterior. Male with loose gular region, with brown or blackish W- shaped mark, fore limbs stronger, with pad like subdigital tubercles under first finger. Snout-vent length 39-43 mm.

Color: Gray brown or olive above, sometimes suffused with bright carmine; a V-shaped dark mark between eyes, a yellow vertebral stripe mostly present; lips and limbs barred, a light line along calf, thighs laterally yellow, marbled with black, ventrum white, throat is mottled with brown in male.

Distribution and Habitat

Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Life History and Behavior

The frog frequents marginal vegetation along canals, streams, torrents, ponds and puddles, when disturbed it leaps in water to swim back at once.

Breeding is triggered by monsoon rains. Limnonectes limnocharis is one of the first amphibians to arrive at the calling sites. Calling males are widely spaced from each other and

43 generally stationed close to the stream of flowing water. The call is characteristic "Ta, ta, ta, ta", repeated rapidly several times.

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

Habitat modification, local pesticides, fertilizers, long-distance pesticides, toxins, and pollutants

IUCN: Least Concern (LC)

44 BURROWING FROG

Sphaerotheca rolandae

Description

Snout-vent length of males: 32-43 mm, females: 34-50 mm. The body is short and stocky. Upper surface light brown or yellow, marbled with dark brown. Interorbital bar black or dark brown. Some specimens with vertical yellow bars on upper lip; yellowish-white line from behind eye and above tympanum to groin. Limbs with cross-bars. Dorsum with or without a white or yellowish vertebral line or band. Vertebrally yellowish white or light brown. Throat of mature males dark bluish- black or blotched in brown. Two vocal sacs.

Distribution and Habitat

India and Sri Lanka.

Terra typica: Roland Estate (Rubber Plantation), Kurunegala, Sri Lanka India, Sri Lanka, Nepal (Jhapa, Est-Nepal). Found in drier areas up to 200 m above sea level.

Life History and Special Behaviors

Nocturnal, terrestrial. I found S. rolandae only during darkness, calling at the margins of small ponds in Sri Lanka after heavy rains in December and January. During the day, especially during dry season, they burrow in loose soil. The females lay 449 to 1037 eggs, and the development of the tadpoles to complete metamorphosis takes 46 days. This frog feeds on termites.

Possible reasons for amphibian decline

Prolonged drought, local pesticides, fertilizers, toxins and pollutants

Comments

It was formerly a subspecies of S. breviceps

45 PAINTED FROG Kaloula taprobanica

Description: These frogs have round bodies with mahogany brown backs and cream stomachs. The distinctive stripes down the side can range from copper-brown to salmon pink in color. Males have darker throats than females. Frogs grow to 7-8 cm with females generally being larger than males.

Distribution and Habitat: This frog is native of South East Asia, and usually lives on the forest floor, in rice fields, and even in populated villages. These frogs are voracious eaters, and will eat flies, crickets, moths, grasshoppers, earthworms and more. Chubby frogs hide under leaf litter during the day hours and eat in the evening.

Special Behaviors: Chubby frogs have the ability to expand themselves when threatened, and to secrete toxic glue-like substances from their bodies as a defense mechanism. They are also able to survive dry conditions by burying themselves in the ground and waiting for rain.

References

Anders, C. (2002). Biologie und Systematik der Amphibien Nepals. . Veröffentlichungen aus dem Fuhlrott-Museum, Wuppertal, Germany.

Daniel, J. C. (2002). The book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibians. Bombay National History Society, Delhi.

De Silva, A., Molur, S. and S. Walker (2000). CAMP Report for Amphibians and Reptiles of Sri Lanka. Conservation Breeding Specialist Group, Sri Lanka, Colombo.

Dutta, S.K. and K. Manamendra-Arachchi (1996). The Amphibian Fauna of Sri Lanka. WHT, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Manamendra-Arachchi, K. (2000). ''Know your frog. .'' Sri Lanka Nature , 2 (5), 4-16.

Schleich, H. H. and W. Kästle (2002). Amphibians and Reptiles of Nepal. Koeltz Scientific Books, Koenigstein / Germany.

46

Digital catalog III

Reptilian fauna of DAE campus

47 BARK GECKO

Hemidactylus leschenaultii

Description

Snout longer than the distance between the eye and the ear-opening, 1.3 to 1.4 times the diameter of the orbit; forehead concave,the supraorbital ridges prominent full-grown specimens ; ear- opening rather large, oval, vertical. Body and limbs moderate. A slight fold of the skin on the side of the belly, from axilla to groin. Digits free, strongly dilated, inner well developed; 6 or 7 (rarely 5) lamellae under the inner digits, 9 to 11 under the median. Head covered with minute granules posteriorly, with larger ones anteriorly; rostral four-sided, not twice as broad as deep, with median cleft above; nostril pierced between the rostral, three nasals, and generally the first labial; 10 to 12 upper and 8 or 9 lower labials; mental large, triangular or pentagonal; two pairs of chin-shields, the inner the larger and in contact behind the mental. Upper surface of body covered with small granules, uniform or intermixed with more or less numerous scattered round tubercles. Abdominal scales moderate, cycloid, imbricate. Male with a series of femoral pores interrupted on the preanal region; 12 to 16 pores on each side. Tail depressed, flat below, covered above with small smooth scales and six longitudinal series of conical tubercles; beneath with a median series of transversely dilated plates. Grey above, with darker markings, forming undulating cross-bars, rhomboidal spots on the middle of the back, or regular longitudinal bands; a dark band from the eye to the shoulder; lower surfaces white.

From snout to vent 3.2 inches; tail 3.25.

Distribution

India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. Type locality: Ceylon.

Remarks

Hemidactylus leschenaultii is a species of gecko found in South Asia and parts of West Asia. It is often found inside homes. Its scientific name commemorates the French botanist Jean Baptiste Leschenault de la Tour.

48 SOUTHERN HOUSE GECKO

Hemidactylus frenatus

Description

Snout longer than the distance between the eye and the ear-opening, 1.3 to 1.5 the diameter of the orbit; forehead concave; ear-opening small, roundish. Body and limbs moderate. Digits moderately dilated, free, inner with sessile claw; 4 or 5 lamelle under the inner digits, 7 or 8 (seldom 9) under the fourth finger, and 9 or 10 under the fourth toe. Upper surfaces covered with small granules, largest on the snout; on the back these granules are intermixed with more or less numerous irregularly scattered round convex tubercles always much smaller than the ear-opening, sometimes almost entirely absent. Rostral four-sided, nearly twice as broad as deep, with median cleft above; nostril pierced between the rostral, the first labial, and three nasals; 10 to 12 upper and 8 to 10 lower labials; mental large, triangular or pentagonal ; two or three pairs of chin-shields, the median in contact behind the point of the mental. Abdominal scales moderate, cycloid, imbricate. Male with a series of 30 or 36 femoral pores, not interrupted on the preanal region. Tail rounded, feebly depressed, covered above with very small smooth scales and six longitudinal series of keeled tubercles, below with a median series of transversely dilated plates. Greyish or pinkish brown above, uniform or more or less distinctly marbled with darker; head generally variegated with brown; a more or less defined brown streak, light-edged above, on the side of the head, passing through the eye, extending sometimes along the side of the body ; lower surfaces whitish.

Distribution

Worldwide in tropical and subtropical regions.

Remarks

It is a native of Southeastern Asia and the Northern parts of Africa. Known as the Pacific house gecko or Asian house Gecko, it is the most recently discovered member of a quartet of small, prolific and aggressive little lizards that become active at twilight. They can be seen climbing walls of houses and other buildings in search of insects attracted to porch lights, hence their name. Spread around the world by ships, these geckos are now common in the southern half of the United States as well as large parts of Australia. They grow to a length of between three to six inches, and live for about five years.

A tropical Gecko, Hemidactylus frenatus thrives in warm, humid areas where it can crawl around on rotting wood in search of the insects it eats. The animal is very adaptable and may prey on insects and spiders, displacing other reptiles.

49 TERMITE HILL GECKO

Hemidactylus triedrus

Description

Head large, oviform; snout longer than the distance between the eye and the ear-opening, 1.4 times the diameter of the orbit; forehead concave; ear-opening large, suboval, oblique, measuring about half the diameter of the eye. Body and limbs moderate. Digits free, moderately dilated, inner well developed; infra-digital lamellae slightly oblique, 6 or 7 under the inner digits, 8 to 10 under the median digits. Snout covered with convex granules, which may be keeled; hinder part of head with minute granules intermixed with roundish tubercles. Rostral subquadrangular, not twice as broad as deep, with median cleft above; nostril pierced between the rostral, the first labial, and three or four nasals; 8 to 10 upper and 7 or 8 lower labials; mental large, triangular or pentagonal, at least twice as long as the adjacent labials; four chin-shields, median pair largest and in contact behind the mental. Upper surface of body covered with small flat granular scales, and large trihedral tubercles arranged in 16 to 20 more or less irregular longitudinal series; these tubercles vary somewhat in size according to specimens, but the largest never exceed two fifths the diameter of the eye. Abdominal scales large, smooth, rounded, imbricate. Males with a series of preanal pores, interrupted mesially ; 6 to 8 pores on each side tail rounded, feebly depressed, tapering, covered above with irregular, small, smooth imbricate scales and rings of large, pointed, keeled tubercles, beneath with a median series of transversely dilated plates. Light pinkish brown above, generally with more or less defined transverse darker bands bordered by pure white tubercles surrounded by deep-brown rings; young very regularly barred with dark brown, there being four dark bars between head and hind limbs; a more or less defined dark-brown streak, white-edged above, on the side of the head, passing through the eye; lower surfaces white.

From snout to vent 3.7 inches; tail 3.8.

Distribution

Sri Lanka, Pakistan (Karachi eastward) and India. Type locality: Ceylon.

50 GARDEN LIZARD

Calotes versicolor

Description

Two small groups of spines, perfectly separated from each other, above each tympanum. Dorsal crest moderately elevated on the neck and anterior part of the trunk, extending on to the root of the tail in large individuals, and gradually disappearing on the middle of the trunk in younger ones. No fold in front of the shoulder, but the scales behind the lower jaw arc much smaller than the others; gular sac not developed. From thirty-nine to forty-three series of scales round the middle of the trunk. The hind foot (measured from the heel to the extremity of the fourth toe) is not much longer than the head in the adult, whilst it is considerably longer in the young. The coloration is very variable, sometimes uniform brownish or greyish-olive or yellowish. Generally broad brown bands across the back, interrupted by a yellowish lateral band. Black streaks radiate from the eye, and some of them are continued over the throat, running obliquely backwards, belly frequently with greyish longitudinal stripes, one along the median line being the most distinct; young and half-grown specimens have a dark, black-edged band across the inter-orbital region.

Distribution

The native range of the species includes Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, India and Sri Lanka.

Remarks

The ground-colour is generally a light brownish olive, but the lizard can change it to bright red, to black, and to a mixture of both. This change is sometimes confined to the head, at other times diffused over the whole body and tail. A common state in which it may be seen is, seated on a hedge or bush, with the tail and limbs black, head and neck yellow picked out with red, and the rest of the body red. These bright, changeable colours are peculiar to the male during the breeding-season, which falls in the months of May and June. Mouhot has collected in Siam one of those fine variations of colours, which, however, appear to be infinite. It has the usual cross streaks between the eyes and the radiating lines continent of India to China; it is very common in Ceylon, not extending into the temperate zone of the Himalayas. The female lays from five to sixteen soft oval eggs, about 5/8ths of an inch long, in hollows of trees, or in holes in the soil which they have burrowed, afterwards covering

51 them up. The young appear in about eight or nine weeks. In a hot sunny day a solitary Bloodsucker may be seen on a twig or on a wall, basking in the sun, with mouth wide open. After a shower of rain numbers of them arc seen to come down on the ground and pick up the larva and small insects which fall from the trees during the showers.

52 CALOTES SP.

Description

Two small groups of spines, separated from each other, on each side of the neck. A fold in front of the shoulder. Tail compressed into a sharpish edge at its base, covered superiorly with very large pentagonal scales. Scales on the sides of the body nearly as large as those on the belly. Tail below with four longitudinal scries of rhomboid, strongly keeled scales, each terminating in a point posteriorly. Brownish, uniform or spotted with black. The exact locality whence this species has been obtained is not known, nor has the species ever been identified by more recent observers. From snout to tail 150 mm. Its habits are terrestrial and arboreal.

53 THE FAN-THROATED LIZARD

Sitana ponticeriana

Descriptions

Upper head-scales small, sharply keeled; canthus rostralis and supraciliary edge sharp, with much enlarged scales. Dorsal scales larger than ventrals, with sharp keels forming straight longitudinal lines; lateral scales smallest, uniform or intermixed with scattered enlarged ones. The fore limb does not extend on to the vent, if laid backwards; the hind limb reaches to the orbit, if laid forwards; the lower thigh is rather shorter than the foot (measured from the heel to the tip of the longest toe), the length of which is only three-fourths of the distance between the shoulder and hip joints. Limbs above with uniform strongly keeled scales. The length of the limbs varies very much in some specimens the hind limb stretched forwards does not extend beyond the orbit, in others it reaches the end of the snout or even considerably beyond. Brown, with a series of dark spots along the middle of the back, the spot on the neck being the darkest; a whitish band along each side of the back. Gular appendage tricolor-blue, black and red.

Tail round, slender, once and a half to twice as long as the head and body, covered with equal keeled scales. Olive-brown above, with a series of rhomboidal spots along the middle of the back; a more or less distinct light band along each side of the back. Gular appendage tricolor—blue, black, and red; this appendage is more developed in the breeding-season, and in the majority of individuals, at all events, is not coloured at other times.

Distribution

India from the base of the Himalayas to Cape Comorin and from the Punjab to Western Bengal and Sri Lanka.

54 COMMON SKINK

Mabuya macularia

Distribution

Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Thailand

Type locality: Rangpur, Bengal [India]

55 LITTLE ( GARDEN) SKINK Lygosoma punctata

Descriptions

Individuals are secretive and their presence was usually made known by the flash of the bright red tail. The red is present on the tails of all young and half grown specimens, but tends to become completely obsolete in adult animals. In the young the tail, save in the basal region, is unspotted and of a uniform shade of red. As they grow older, the caudal scales develop small spots (even those on the ventral surface) and gradually the red (sometimes pink) colouration disappears. In the young black spots are contiguous forming continuous lines. On the head the dots are carried forward to the snout but later tend to form a more or less symmetrical pattern on the head scales." (From Taylor 1950)

Distribution

India, Vietnam, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

56 BENGAL MONITOR

Varanus bengalensis

Descriptions

There is considerable variation in colouration with adults being black, grey or brown with lighter patterns on the back. Hatchlings are brighter with dull orange and bold black and yellow bands on the body and tail. The males can grow up to 100cm. The females, on the other hand, do not grow this large. It has also been found that females have a much shorter tail and lack pre-anal flaps which can be found in males as patches of scales. Populations found in drier areas are lighter in colour. When they first hatch, they appear orange or brown with yellow and black rings around the body and tail. They also have claws which people believe is used to cling onto surfaces such as trees.

Distribution

Afghanistan, western Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka

Food

Although these creatures are relatively large in size, especially for a lizard, they mostly feed on insects such as ants, snails and beetles. They also eat animals such as ground birds, fish, frogs, snakes, other lizards and small mammals.

Behavior

Bengal Monitors are usually solitary and usually found on the ground although the young are often seen on trees. V. b. nebulosus has a greater propensity for tree climbing. Large adults may ascend vertical tree trunks and sometimes stalk and capture roosting bats. Their normal prey consists of beetles, grubs, scorpions, snails, ants and other invertebrates. Vertebrate prey is comparatively rare and includes frogs, fish, lizards, snakes and rodents. Bengal monitors shelter in burrows or crevices in rocks and buildings, whilst clouded monitors prefer tree hollows. Both races will make use of abandoned termite mounds. Males will fight each other in a bipedal fashion for females. After mating the female lays up to 30 eggs in a hollow dug in the ground and the eggs hatch in about five months. The young often remain together in loose groups and often live on trees and live on an insectivorous diet.

Remark

Although not uncommon, Monitor lizards are killed for their meat and skins and are threatened in many places by hunting.

57 ORIENTAL RATSNAKE Ptyas mucosus

Description

Snout obtuse, slightly projecting; eye large; rostral a little broader than deep, visible from above; suture between the inter-naeals shorter than that between the prefrontals, as long as the parietals or slightly shorter; usually three loreals; one large preocular, with a small subocular below ; two postoculars; temporals 2+2; 8 upper labials, fourth and fifth entering the eye; 5 lower labials in contact with the anterior chin-shields, which are shorter than the posterior; the latter in contact anteriorly. Scales more or less strongly keeled on the posterior part of the back, in 17 rows. Lower surface yellowish; the posterior ventral and the caudal shields may be edged with black. The top colour can range from a stripes yellow to black and is commonly mistaken for a Cobra.

Distribution

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Andaman’s, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Pakistan, Thailand, and Vietnam. Type locality: India

58 COMMON BRONZEBACK

Dendrelaphis tristis

Description

Bronzeback Tree Snakes are long and slender with flat heads and large eyes. The sides are dark brown or black with a wide light bronze stripe down the centre of the back. The ventral side is whitish, grey or light green. The young are very similar to the adults but have a faint banded pattern which they lose in the first year. The outer edges of the belly scales are notched, forming a fold on either side of the body which serves the snake when it is climbing. There are 8 species of bronzebacks in India, most of which live in hill forests.

Distribution

Throughout India. Found up to 2,000m above sea level in the Himalayas.

59 COMMON WINE SNAKE

Ahaetulla nasutus

Description

Vine snakes are long and thin with very pointed heads. The body is a uniform parroty-green, often with a thin white or yellow line separating the back scales from the belly scales. (A South Indian hill race which is seen at about 2,300 m is pinkish-red). The ventral side is light green or yellow. When excited, the inflated neck and body reveal the black and white inter-scale colour, giving it a banded appearance. The scales are smooth but not shiny. The horizontally elliptical eye is unique among those of Indian snakes. Though common, Vine snakes are rarely seen because of their excellent camouflage.

Distribution

Throughout India, except in the Northwest and much of the Gangetic basin, up to 1,000 m above sea level.

60 PERROTET’S SHIELDTAIL SNAKE

Plectrurus perrotetti

Description

Perrotet’s Shieldtail is brown; each scale has a read-dish or yellowish centre. The ventral side of the tail is organge and the young usually have a yellow line on the top of the tail. All uropeltids have powerful, pointed heads and tiny eyes. The tail is short and blunt and ends in two small points. The glowing iridescence of these snakes is best seen when the snake is put in sunlight, but is actually due to specializations of the scales that keep the dirt from sticking to it. Shieldtails are often mistaken for earthworms; however, unlike earthworms, almost all species have brightly marked ventral sides. Perrotet’s Shieldtail is one of the 43 shieldtails or uropeltids of the hills of South and Central India and Sri Lanka.

Distribution

Western Ghats, South of Goa. According to M.A. Smith, this species is common in the Nilgiris and Anaimalais. Other species are found at their particular altitude and habitat preferences throughout the Western Ghats. The distribution of these snakes needs considerable revision.

61 BANDED KUKRI Oligodon arnensis

Description Banded Kukris are reddish or greyish-brown with 10-20 black or dark brown bands. The tope of the head has a distinct chevron or arrowhead design. The ventral side is white. The scales are smooth and glossy, head thin with a blunt tip, eyes round-pupilled. Kukri snakes get their name from their sharp, curved teeth, perfect for holding strong prey such as geckos. Banded Kukris are the most common of the 34 kukri snakes of Asia which range from southern Asia to southern China and some Malayan islands. Russell’s Kukri is another common species; though varying in colour and pattern, it has the typical chevron head marking of a Kukri.

Distribution

Throughout India. The white-barred Kukri of Assam is found up to 2,000 m in the hills.

62 COMMON WOLF SNAKE

Lycodon aulicus

Description

Small, slender, with or without bright cross bands; smooth shiny scales; protruding black eyes. grey, brownish or black with 10-20 thin white or yellow bands; the jet black eyes protrude slightly and the pupil is invisible. The head is flattish and somewhat pointed. The scales are smooth and slightly glossy. The unmarked ventral side is white.

Habits and habitat In and around caves, stone piles, hollow trees, under bark and other dry, secure places. It strictly nocturnal and are never seen out during the day. They are great climbers and can easily cling to fairly smooth walls and tree trunks. Adult have a preference for skinks and geckos, though they probably also eat small lizards and frogs. Distribution Throughout India, including the Andaman’s and Nicobars, up to over 2,000 m in hills. Status Wolf snake are often mistaken and killed as ‘kraits’. Though common, they are nowhere abundant.

63 STRIPED KEELBACK

Amphiesma stolatum

Description Small, keel (rough) scaled; two distinctive yellow stripes down back. They are closely related to water snakes. Average length is 40 cm: At birth: 12cm Maximum: 80 cm (female). The over all coloured is light or dark brown with two tan or yellow stripes running down the body length. Head is light brown, and the sides of the head, lip area and chin are white or yellow. Which has black lines behind each eye. This is common gross snake of India.

Habit and habitats Rice field, pond edges, thick grass and bushes are favored. They are diurnal and spend nights sleeping under rocks, holes or the branches of trees. It feeds on frogs, small lizards and rodents, which are swallowed alive.

Distribution Throughout India up to 2,000 m in the hills.

64 COMMON KRAIT Bungarus caeruleus

Description Common Kraits are smooth, glossy bluish-black snakes with rounded head slightly distinct from the neck. Average length is 1m: At birth: 25cm Maximum: 1.75 m (male). There are normally about 40 thin white cross bands. The young and some adults may have white spots along the first third of the backbone in place of the cross lines.

Habit and habitats Sandy soil, termite mounds, burrows of small rodents and piles of brick and rubble are the best place to find common Kraits, and they are nocturnal it not seen by day. Kraits are short-fanged snakes with a bulldog grip, and active at night.

Distribution Throughout India; sea level up to 1,700 m.

Status Common Kraits are common and very abundant in some areas. They live and thrive near human settlement and remain Undisturbed because of their secretive nocturnal habits.

Venom Krait venom is extremely toxic and induces nerve paralysis. As there are no local symptoms, a patient should be carefully observed for signs of paralysis and treated urgently with anti-venom.

Reference

Boulenger, G. A. (1890) Fauna of British India . Reptilia and Batrachia. (Taylor and Francis, London)

Daniel, J. C. (2002) The book of Indian Reptiles and Amphibians. Bombay National History Society, Delhi.

65

Digital catalog IV

Avian fauna of DAE campus

66 COMMON NAME : Asian koel SCIENTIFIC NAME : Eudynamys scolopacea (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Kuyil FAMILY : Cuculidae ORDER : Cuculiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size smaller and slender than house crow but with long tail; Adult male black with bluish metallic ting; female dark brown with white spots throughout; eyes crimson red ; bill yellowish green; lays eggs in crow nests, male and female are different in appearance.

Habits and Habitat: Keeps in single or pairs; inhabiting trees near human settlement orchards, plantations etc; fruits eater; occasionally picks up snails; arboreal.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident and local migratory.

IUCN: LC

67 COMMON NAME : Asian palm swift SCIENTIFIC NAME : Cypsiurus parvus (J.E.Gray, 1829) TAMIL NAME : Uzhavaarakkuruvi FAMILY : Apodidae ORDER : Apodiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of sparrow; aerial; whole body dirty grey; deeply forked tail; long slender wings; tail fork clearly visible in flight; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious, fast flying in clusters; inhabiting palm, betel nut trees; feed on insects.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC

68

COMMON NAME : Black-crowned night heron SCIENTIFIC NAME : Nycticorax nycticorax (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Vakka FAMILY : Ardeidae ORDER : Ciconiiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of a pond heron; inhabiting the environs around water bodies; a heavy grey, white, metallic greenish bird; crown black stout bill; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Colionial; inhabiting mangroves and overhanging vegetations. Crepuscular, nocturnal; feed on fish frog, frog and other aquatic invertebrates.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: LC

69 COMMON NAME : Black drongo SCIENTIFIC NAME : Dicrurus macrocercus (Vieillot, 1817) TAMIL NAME : Karichchaan FAMILY : Dicruridae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of bulbul. Slim, glossy jet black with long deeply forked tail. Bill, legs and feet black; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Solitary, arboreal inhabiting cultivated lands, deciduous forests and plains. Carnivorous.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

70 COMMON NAME : Black headed gull SCIENTIFIC NAME : Larus ridibundus (Linnaeus, 1766) TAMIL NAME : Kadal Kaakkai FAMILY : Laridae ORDER : Charadriiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size common crow; a gray and white median sized gull; a blackish brown hood on head in summer; the leading edge of wing pure white pure white; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Occurs in small flocks; in habitat estuaries harbours and sewage out flows in to the sea; feed on animal matter and is a scavenger.

Distribution: Costal areas on India.

Status: Winter visitor and passage migrant.

IUCN: LC

71 COMMON NAME : Blue rock pigeon SCIENTIFIC NAME : Columba livia (Gmelin, 1789) TAMIL NAME : Maadap pura FAMILY : Columbidae ORDER : Columbiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of house crow, well known grey blue pigeon with metallic sheen around neck and upper breast; two dark bars on wings; legs and feet magenta; claws black; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Colonial roosting, occupying ruins of buildings, in association with human habitation; feed on grains.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

72 COMMON NAME : Brahminy Kite SCIENTIFIC NAME : Haliastur indus (Boddaert, 1783) TAMIL NAME : Garudan FAMILY : Accipitridae ORDER : Falconiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of eagle; body chestnut colored with head neck and breast white; abdomen brown; wing black at tips; young ones brownish; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Solitary inhabiting jungles, plantation, tree, etc., near water bodies; feed on fish frogs, reptiles and small birds.

Distribution: Throughout India except North West and Eastern India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

73 COMMON NAME : Cattle egret SCIENTIFIC NAME : Bubulcus ibis (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Unni Kokku FAMILY : Ardeidae ORDER : Ciconiiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of domestic hen; found on grazing cattle, near water edge, etc. Inhabititing grasslands, scrubby animals by eating ticks and mites.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious; feed on insects, earthworms, etc., inhabiting grasslands, scrubby areas disturbed by cattle; attending on grazing animals by eating ticks and mites.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: LC

74 COMMON NAME : Common house crow SCIENTIFIC NAME : Corvus splendens (Vieillot, 1817) TAMIL NAME : Kaakkai FAMILY : Corvidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of pigeon; glossy black with dusky grey nape, neck, upper breast and upper back. Forehead, crown and throat glossy black. Bill, legs and feet black; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious, group, sociable, inhabiting human settlements trees and outskirts of forest, clannish and omnivorous.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

75 COMMON NAME : Common myna SCIENTIFIC NAME : Acridotheres tristis (Vieillot, 1817) TAMIL NAME : Naahanavai FAMILY : Sturnidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size approximately of dove; body dark brown with glossy black head; legs and bill bright yellow; a large white patch on wings visible in flight; a naked patch below and behind eye; eye brick red; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Omnivorous; scavenging on ground in cultivated fields and human habitations.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Widespread resident

IUCN: LC

76 COMMON NAME : Common tailorbird SCIENTIFIC NAME : Orthotomus sutorius (Pennant, 1769) TAMIL NAME : Thaiyalchittu FAMILY : Muscicapidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of sparrow. A small yellowish-green warbler with whitish buff under-parts and rust-colored crown; tail pointed, erect, narrow and elongated; bill brown; legs and feet brownish flesh; colored; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Solitary or in pairs; inhabiting all sort on environs; feed on larvae and insects.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

77 COMMON NAME : Darter SCIENTIFIC NAME : Anhinga melanogaster (Pennant, 1769) TAMIL NAME : Pambutthaaraa FAMILY : Anhingidae ORDER : Pelecaniformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of a kite; a large black water bird; a long brown snake- like neck with silvery streak on back; bill pointed; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Excellent diver, inhabiting shrubs near lakes, stream, village tank etc; feed mainly on fish.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

78 COMMON NAME : Greater coucal SCIENTIFIC NAME : Centropus sinensis (Stephens, 1815) TAMIL NAME : Chembagam FAMILY : Cuculidae ORDER : Cuculiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of jungle crow; totally black ground dwelling bird with chestnut colored wing; tail graduated; iris deep red; male and female alike, female slightly larger.

Habits and Habitat: Sedentary, terrestrial, streaking through bushes; feed on all types on animal matter.

Distribution: Peninsular India, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

79 COMMON NAME : Grey Francolin SCIENTIFIC NAME : Francolinus pondicerianus (Gmelin, 1789) TAMIL NAME : Koudhaari FAMILY : Phasianidae ORDER : Galliformes

Field Identification Characters: Size smaller than domestic hen; grayish brownish tinge above; a prominent yellow throat patch enclosed in a black gular pouch; tail stub-like legs dull red; male and female alike but male with spur on leg.

Habits and Habitat: Found in pairs and in small parties; fast runner with short flying capabilities; hides when threatened; inhabiting thorn-scrubs, dried jungle, bushes etc., feed on grains berries and insects.

Distribution: Peninsular India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC.

80 COMMON NAME : Grey heron SCIENTIFIC NAME : Ardea cinerea (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Saambal Naarai FAMILY : Ardeidae ORDER : Ardeidae

Field Identification Characters: A large long necked egret like march bird; body ash grey; head and neck white; long black crest on the middle of body; body below dull white; bill dull yellow; male and female alike; female small.

Habits and Habitat: Normally solitary; gregarious while nesting; characteristically stands motionless intently watching for the prey; feed on fish, frog and aquatic invertebrates.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: LC.

81 COMMON NAME : Indian pond heron SCIENTIFIC NAME : Ardeola grayi (Sykes, 1832) TAMIL NAME : Kurutu kokku FAMILY : Ardeidae ORDER : Ciconiiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of a country hen; an egret-like marsh bird; adult brown while perching; in flight wings appear snow white below; chin and throat whole; breeding adults handsome and yellowish brown with long decompressed plumage; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Solitary when feeding; on fish, frog and aquatic invertebrates at pond margins, tidal mud flats, etc.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: LC.

82 COMMON NAME : Indian treepie SCIENTIFIC NAME : Dendrocitta vagabunda (Latham, 1790) TAMIL NAME : Maan kuil FAMILY : Corvidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of myna. arboreal bird with dark sooty grey head, neck and breast. A long, broad grayish tail with black tips; the grey, white and black patterns are conspicuous in wings during flight; bill plumbeous, legs and feet dusky plumbeous; male and female alike. Habits and Habitat: Keeps in pairs and family parties, arboreal, social, inhabiting forest plantations, dry and moist deciduous biotype and scrub jungles. Omnivorous. Distribution: Peninsular India. Status: Resident. IUCN: LC.

83 COMMON NAME : Large pied wagtail SCIENTIFIC NAME : Motacilla maderaspatensis (Gmelin, 1789) TAMIL NAME : Kulatthu Kuruvi FAMILY : Motacillidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of bulbul. A large black and white wagtail; above, black with a prominent white supercilum from lores to nape, a large white band on wings. Below, Flanks grey colored; bill slaty-black, legs and feet black; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Occurs in pairs; Inhabititing irrigation tanks, pool, and paddy fields. Feed on locusts, dragonflies, snails and small seeds.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC.

84 COMMON NAME : Lesser pied kingfisher SCIENTIFIC NAME : Ceryle rudis (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Meenkothi FAMILY : Alcedinidae ORDER : Alcedinidae

Field Identification Characters: Size bigger than myna, a speckled and barred black and white kingfisher with a dagger-shaped brownish-black. Above, forehead, crown and nuchal crest black streaked with white. Collar on hind neck white, a broad black streak through eye to ear-coverts. Below, white with two black gorget across the breast; male and female alike. Habits and Habitat: Usually in pairs, rarely solitary and in small parties inhabiting all kinds of stagnant water, occasionally in coastal areas; feed mainly on fish. Description: Throughout India. Status: Resident. IUCN: LC.

85 COMMON NAME : Lesser whistling duck SCIENTIFIC NAME : Dendrocygna javanica (Horsfield, 1821) TAMIL NAME : Chilli Thaaraa FAMILY : Anatidae ORDER : Ciconiiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of domestic duck; perching on trees near water’s edge; dark brown heavy duck; wing rounded; upper tail coverts chestnut brown; iris dark brown; bill almost black and tip sharply bent downwards; legs blackish; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Prefers perching on shrubs and trees, surrounded by water; feed mainly on aquatic weeds, tender shoots, grains and occasionally on animal matter; sociable; a good diver and walker.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: LC.

86 COMMON NAME : Little brown dove SCIENTIFIC NAME: Streptopelia senegalensis (Linnaeus, 1766) TAMIL NAME : Thavittu Puraa FAMILY : Columbidae ORDER : Columbiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of myna; brownish grey above neck pinkish with chess board-like pattern; grey patches on wings shoulders; under part white; tail graduated; tips of outer feathers white; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Keep in pairs or small parties; restricted to deciduous forests; feed on grains.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC.

87 COMMON NAME : Great cormorant SCIENTIFIC NAME : Phalocrocorax carbo (Linnaeus) TAMIL NAME : Neer Kaagam / Kadal Kaagam FAMILY : Phalocrocoracidae ORDER : Pelecaniformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of a jungle crow; water bird; whole body glistening black; a white patch bordering throat pouch which is lost in breeding season; A yellow gular pouch which became less bright in non breeding birds; bill sharply hooked; brown purple while breeding; tail V-shaped; toes webbed and flattened; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Found in flocks, drying its outspread wings on dead free stumps, sandpits, partially exposed rocks, etc., prefers freshwater bodies; occasionally found in the seacoast; feed mostly on fishes.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident with local movements.

IUCN: LC

88 COMMON NAME : Little egret SCIENTIFIC NAME : Egretta garzetta (Linnaeus, 1766) TAMIL NAME : Chenna Vellai Kokku FAMILY : Ardeidae ORDER : Ciconiiformes

Field Identification Characters: White marsh waterside birds; smaller than Indian egret; bill and legs black; two long crest plumes during breeding; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Found in colonies; feed on fish, frog and invertebrates at the water’s edge.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: LC

89 COMMON NAME : Loten’s sunbird SCIENTIFIC NAME : Nectarinia lotenia (Linnaeus, 1766) TAMIL NAME : Thaenchittu FAMILY : Nectarinidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Male Female

Field Identification Characters: Size of sparrow. Male: Above, head, back, shoulders, rump black with glistening metallic green and purple sheen-wings and tail dull black. Bellow, sooty-brown, throat metallic green and purple, a maroon band across the breast are diagnostic features; bill black, legs and feet horny black. Female: Above, dull olive; tail blue black with white tips. Below, entirely dull yellow.

Habits and Habitat: Occurs in single or in pairs inhabiting gardens, orchards, cultivated lands, and forests; feed on nectar, flower, and small insects.

Distribution: Peninsular India

Status: Common Resident.

IUCN: LC

90 COMMON NAME : Oriental white ibis SCIENTIFIC NAME : Threskiornis melanocephalus (Latham, 1790) TAMIL NAME : Thaalaikothi Chondan FAMILY : Threskiornithidae ORDER : Ciconiiormes

Field Identification Characters: Size of stork; a snow-white march bird with black head and neck; bill black and down curved; during flight red wing patches seen; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious, often found with other marsh birds; inhabiting lands, tidal mudflats, fresh water bodies and lagoons; feed on animals matter.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident, nomadic.

IUCN: NT

91 COMMON NAME : Paddy field pipit SCIENTIFIC NAME : Anthus rufulus (Vieillot, 1818) TAMIL NAME : Pullupporukki FAMILY : Motacillidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of sparrow. Above, dark brown marked with fulvous. Conspicuous in flight, below, buff streaked with brown on breast. Legs short and yellowish; bill dark and horny; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Keeps in pairs or small loose flocks; inhabiting grasslands, cultivated fields, fallow fields and grazing ground; feed on insects and their larvae.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

92 COMMON NAME : Painted stork SCIENTIFIC NAME : Mycteria leucocephala (Pennant, 1769) TAMIL NAME : Sanguvalai naarai FAMILY : Ciconiidae ORDER : Ciconiiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of great heron; long legged, long necked, marsh bird with long heavy yellow bill curved at tip; waxy yellow face without any feathers; plumage white, greenish black bars above; a black band across breast; pinkish near tail quil, wing black; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious, colonial forming heronries for breeding; inhabiting shallow water bodies; feed on crustaceans, insect’s frogs and reptiles.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: NT

93 COMMON NAME : Red-wattled lapwing SCIENTIFIC NAME : Vanellus indicus (Boddaert, 1783) TAMIL NAME : Aalkaatti FAMILY : Charadriidae ORDER : Charadriiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size similar to partridge; a leggy plover of open country and cultivated land; bronze brown above white below; head, neck and breast black; a crimson red fleshy lobe or wattle in front of eye; bill red with black tip; yellow white band from behind eye through side of nick to meet under parts; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Found in loose flocks in open well watered country side running zigzag; feed on insects, crab mollusks, vegetables matter, etc.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: LC

94 COMMON NAME : Rose ringed parakeet SCIENTIFIC NAME : Psittacula krameri (Scopoli, 1769) TAMIL NAME : Kili FAMILY : Psittacidae ORDER : Psittaciformes

Field Identification Characters: Size on myna; grass green colored bird; heavy deeply hooked red bill; long pointed tail; lower bill black, a thin rose colored ring around neck; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Keep in large parties; affects dry deciduous and moist forest, cultivable lands and human settlements; feed all fruits grains, seeds nuts, flowers, nectar etc.

Distribution: Peninsular India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

95 COMMON NAME : Small blue kingfisher SCIENTIFIC NAME : Alcedo atthis (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Meenkothi FAMILY : Alcedinidae ORDER : Coraciiformes

Field Identification Characters: Larger then sparrow with a brilliant blue back and deep rust colored under-parts, short, stumpy tail; long, strength, pointed black bill, legs and feet coral-red; chin and throat white, cheeks and ear-coverts rusty-red ending in a white patch on the sides of necks; a broad greenish-blue streak from lower mandible to side of the neck. Other striking features are the tones and a black band through eyes; male and female alike. Habits and Habitat: Usually solitary or in pairs, inhabiting streams, canals, plains and peninsular hill; feed on small fish, tad-poles, and aquatic insects. Distribution: Throughout India. Status: Resident. IUCN: LC

96 COMMON NAME : Spot billed duck SCIENTIFIC NAME : Anas poecilorhyncha (J.R.Forster, 1781) TAMIL NAME : Pulli Mooku Vaathu FAMILY : Anatidae ORDER : Ciconiiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of domestic duck; large body with buff grey and dark brown feathers; wings spectrum green with black and white margin; a broad white bar conspicuous more prominent in flight; dark bill tipped with yellow and a reddish lores on the base of bill; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Occurs in small flocks; inhabits wetlands, paddy field and marshlands. Feed only on vegetable matter and cultivated grain.

Distribution: Throughout India; widely distributed.

Status: Resident, nomadic.

IUCN: LC

97 COMMON NAME : Spotted dove SCIENTIFIC NAME : Streptopelia chinensis (Scopoli, 1786) TAMIL NAME : Mani Puraa FAMILY : Columbidae ORDER : Columbiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of myna; upper parts pinkish brown with grey tint, back spotted with white chess board pattern form hind neck; tail dark brown with border; belly and under tail coverts white; legs and feet magenta; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Found in pairs or small parties in villages, deciduous jungle; considered pet; feed on grains.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

98 COMMON NAME : Spotted owlet SCIENTIFIC NAME : Athene brama (Temmnick, 1821) TAMIL NAME : Pulli Aandhai FAMILY : Strigidae ORDER : Strigiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of myna; grayish brown with white spots on upper parts of body; lower parts puffed brown; ear tufts absent; head large, round, eyes yellow, forwardly directed; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Found in pairs or small parties; nocturnal, crepuscular; inhabiting hollow tree in jungle, hole in old abandoned buildings etc. fed on insects, worms, lizards, small birds and mice.

Distribution: Peninsular India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

99 COMMON NAME : White breasted water-hen SCIENTIFIC NAME : Amaurornis phoenicurus (Pennant, 1769) TAMIL NAME : Kaanaang Kozhi FAMILY : Rallidae ORDER : Galliformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of partridge; swamp birds; very familiar rail; upper parts grey; sides of head and under-part pure white; tail stab short; tail converts rufous, variables brown; iris blood red base of upper bill red; legs yellow; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious in small flocks; inhabiting hedges, margin of water bodies where bushy scrubs are found; feed on invertebrates and seeds.

Distribution: Throughout India. Status: Resident. IUCN: LC

100 COMMON NAME : White headed babbler SCIENTIFIC NAME : Turdoides affinis (Jerdon, 1847) TAMIL NAME : Thavittu Kuruvi FAMILY : Muscicapidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of bulbul; crown cream colored; body dirty brown; wings fringed with grey; tail cross barred in the middle; bill and feet pale yellow; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious, in small groups; inhibiting dry scrub areas in the vicinity of cultivation, urban garden and home compound; feed on insects and vegetables matter.

Distribution: Southern India.

Status: Common Resident.

IUCN: LC

101 COMMON NAME : White-breasted kingfisher SCIENTIFIC NAME : Halcyon smyrnensis (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Meenkothi FAMILY : Alcedinidae ORDER : Coraciiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size larger than myna, a bright turquoise-blue kingfisher with a chocolate-brown head, neck and under parts; chin, throat and centre of the breast glistening white. A large white wing patch prominent in flight; bill long, heavy pointed and coral-red and coral- red legs; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Solitary or in pairs, inhabiting dry deciduous forests. Feed on fish large insects and beetles.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC

102 COMMON NAME : Wood sandpiper SCIENTIFIC NAME : Tringa glaveola (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Kottan / Vayal Ullaan FAMILY : Scolopacidae ORDER : Charadriiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of quail; found in wet paddy fields; upper body grayish brown; upper plumage spotted with buff and white; lower plumage dull and white; tail white with last bar blackish; bill blackish brown; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious; water; found in seepage marches, near irrigation tanks, mud flats, etc., feed on insects, worm, mollusks, etc.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: LC

103 COMMON NAME : Red-vented bulbul SCIENTIFIC NAME : Pycnonotus cafer (Linnaeus, 1766) TAMIL NAME : Kondai Kuruvi FAMILY : Pycnonotidae ORDER : Passeriforme

Field Identification Characters: Size of myna; brown bird with tufted black head, black throat and scale-like markings on back and breast; rump white; scarlet vent; black tail tipped with white which is conspicuous in flight; bill black, leg and feet brownish black; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Keep in pairs and small parties, arboreal, inhabiting deciduous and evergreen biotopes. Feed on fruits, insects and nectar of flowers.

Distribution: Peninsular India.

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC

104 COMMON NAME : Little-ringed plover SCIENTIFIC NAME : Charadrius dubius (Scopoli, 1786) TAMIL NAME : Sinna Kottaan FAMILY : Charadriidae ORDER : Charadriiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of quail; found in wet grazing grounds; a thick round black and white patterned head; forehead white; fore crown black; hind neck with black double collar; upper parts brown up to hind margin of eye; chin, throat, fore neck white; upper breast with pectoral band across; under parts white; eyelids yellow, become swollen during breeding; bill grey black; legs yellow; male and female alike. Habits and Habitat: Occurs in pairs or in small flocks; run with rapid steps in random; found inhabiting single blanks of river, streams, pond, mudflats estuaries, etc. feed on insects, worms, crustaceans, etc. Distribution: Throughout India. Status: Widespread resident. IUCN: LC

105 COMMON NAME : Asian open bill SCIENTIFIC NAME : Anastomus oscitans (Boddaert, 1783) TAMIL NAME : Nathai Kuthi Naarai FAMILY : Ciconiidae ORDER : Ciconiiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of duck; marsh bird; snow white with black mantled wings and tail; bill peculiar with arching lower bill; a narrow open gap between bill is characteristic; legs dull flesh colored; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious; migratory; inhibiting all types of water and mudflats; feed chiefly on mollusks, partially frogs and small animals in marches.

Distribution: Throughout India.

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: LC

106 COMMON NAME : Spot-billed pelican SCIENTIFIC NAME : Pelecanus philippensis (Gmelin) TAMIL NAME : Kulakeda FAMILY : Pelecanidae ORDER : Pelecaniformes

Field Identification Characters: A large squat water bird, chiefly grey and grayish white, with a brown nuchal crest. Short stout legs, large webbed feet and enormous heavy flattened bill, underhung throughout its length by an elastic bag of dull purplish skin. Large blue-black spot along edge of upper mandible, blackish wing quill and grayish brown tail diagnostic, male and female alike. Habits and Habitat: Flocks float buoyantly or rest on mud banks preening themselves. They fish by cooperative effort, swimming in a semi-circle, driving the fish before them into the shallows with vigorous splashing of their great wings. Distribution: Well-watered tracts throughout the Indian union; Bangladesh; Pakistan; Sri lanka; Myanmar. Status: Resident but capricious; also locally migratory. IUCN: VU

107 COMMON NAME : Ash wood-swallow SCIENTIFIC NAME : Artamus fuscus (Vieillot, 1817) TAMIL NAME : Madam Purra FAMILY : Artamidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of bulbul. A dark grey with pale rump and under-parts. Tail short, slaty-black tipped with white. Finch-like heavy, bluish bill; legs and feet slaty brown; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: keeps in parties or loose flocks, regarious, sociable, inhabiting moist deciduous forests. Feed on insects.

Distribution: Peninsular India

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC.

108 COMMON NAME : Black-shouldered kite SCIENTIFIC NAME : Elanus caeruleus (Desfontaines, 1789) TAMIL NAME : Karuntholl Parundhu FAMILY : Accipitridae ORDER : Falconiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of crow; upper parts grey; under-parts, neck and tail pure white; a black line from end of bill to behind eyes; black patches on shoulder wing; tail square; eyes blood red; legs yellow; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Occurs in scattered pairs; crepuscular; found in scrub jungles; feed on small animals and insects.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC.

109 COMMON NAME : Brahminy starling SCIENTIFIC NAME : Sturnus pagodarum (Gmelin, 1789) TAMIL NAME : Paappaathi Naahanavai. FAMILY : Sturnidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size smaller than dove; top of head with black crest; body grayish above; reddish fawn below; wings black; tail brown white edge; male and female alike; crest smaller in female.

Habits and Habitat: Sociable, occurs in small flocks, found in cultivated localities, feed on fruits, insects, nectar, etc.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Widespread resident.

IUCN: LC.

110 COMMON NAME : Common hoopoe SCIENTIFIC NAME : Upupa epops (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Kondailaathi FAMILY : Upupidae ORDER : Coraciiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of a myna with prominent black and white zebra markings on back, wings and tail; a black and white tipped crest; long, slender and slightly decurved- horney black bill; legs and feet slaty brown; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Solitary or in pairs inhabiting deciduous biotopes and cultivated fields. Loose parties; feed on insects.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident.

IUCN: LC.

111 COMMON NAME : Common moorhen SCIENTIFIC NAME : Gallinula chloropus (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Thanneer Kozhi FAMILY : Rallidae ORDER : Gruiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of village hen; water bird; brownish black body with white border along closed wing margins; under-tail coverts white with black patch; for head shield red with yellow bill tip; legs long and green; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Found in small parties, spending most of the time in water; omnivorous; to some extent nocturnal.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC.

112 COMMON NAME : Common swallow SCIENTIFIC NAME : Hirundo rustica ( Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Thaampaadi FAMILY : Hirundinidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of sparrow; long forked tail; glossy steel blue above; pinkish white below; fore head, throat, chin chestnut coloured; a blue-black pectoral band below throat; white spots on tail feather; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious; sit in line on telephone wire; inhabiting meadows, reed beds cultivated lands etc; feed on insects and ants.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC.

113 COMMON NAME : Copper-smith barbet SCIENTIFIC NAME : Megalaima haemacephala (P.L.S. Muller, 1776) TAMIL NAME : Kalutharuppan FAMILY : Capitonidae ORDER : Piciforms

Field Identification Characters: Size of sparrow, a grass green barbet with yellow throat, breast and forehead crimson streaked with yellowish-green under-parts; tail short and truncated; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Solitary or in pairs and small parties, arboreal inhabiting cultivated lands, groves of trees and gardens, frugivorous.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC.

114 COMMON NAME : Eurasian golden oriole SCIENTIFIC NAME : Oriolus oriolus (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Manjal Kuruvi FAMILY : Oriolidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of myna. Male: Bright golden yellow bird with black wing and tail, a prominent black streak from bores to behind the eyes; bill pink; legs and feet slaty- blue. Female; Greenish-yellow with pale under-parts streaked with dull brown.

Habits and Habitat: Solitary or in pairs, arboreal, inhabiting orchards, deciduous and semi- evergreen forest. Feed on fruits and insects.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Winter visitor

IUCN: LC.

115 COMMON NAME : Indian robin SCIENTIFIC NAME : Saxicoloides fulicata (Linnaeus, 1766) TAMIL NAME : Vannaathi kuruvi FAMILY : Muscicapidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of sparrow. Male: Above, crown and wings dark brown; wings with a conspicuous white patch; tail black. Below glossy blue-black; coverts; bill horny-brown; legs and feet dark horny- brown. Female: Above, like male but lacks wing-patch; ear coverts tinged with rufous. Below, grey-brown; under tail-coverts chestnut.

Habits and Habitat: Solitary or in pairs; inhabiting scrubs jungles, cultivated lands and forest cover; feed on grasshopper, hymenopteran insects and their larvae.

Distribution: Central and Southern India.

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC

116 COMMON NAME : Indian roller SCIENTIFIC NAME : Coracias benghalensis (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Panangkaadai FAMILY : Coraciidae ORDER : Coraciiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of a pigeon, a bright blue bird with a big head, Rufous- brown coloured breast, pale blue abdomen and vent; heavy, crow-like brownish black bill, legs and feet dirty brownish-yellow.

Habits and Habitat: Solitary or pairs, inhabiting cultivated lands, gardens, groves of mango and other trees. Feed on insects, frogs, lizards, small snakes and field mice.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC.

117 COMMON NAME : Lesser golden-backed woodpecker SCIENTIFIC NAME : Dinopium benghalense (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Marangkothi FAMILY : Picidae ORDER : Piciforms

Field Identification Characters: Larger than myna; Male: Above; crown and occipital crest crimson; plumage golden yellow and black; below: white streaked with black, chin, throat and sides of head black streaked with white. Bill horny black, legs and feet grayish green.

Habits and Habitat: Pairs of parties, inhabiting forest plantations, groves of palm and other trees; feed on larvae and insects.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC.

118 COMMON NAME : Little grebe SCIENTIFIC NAME : Tachybaptus ruficollis (Pallas, 1764) TAMIL NAME : Mukkulippan FAMILY : Podicipedidae ORDER : Podicipiciticiforms

Field Identification Characters: Size of pigeon; duck-like water bird; top of head and hind neck blackish-brown; sides of head neck chestnut brown; upper parts of body brown; inner flight feathers white; base of bill yellow green, prominent; during breeding season abdomen silky white; no tail.

Habits and Habitat: Specialized for aquatic life; occurs in flocks, inhabiting water bodies; feed on small aquatic animals; an excellent diver and underwater swimmer.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident and migratory

IUCN: LC.

119 COMMON NAME : Oriental magpie robin SCIENTIFIC NAME : Copsychus saularis (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Vannaathi Kuruvi FAMILY : Muscicapidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of bulbul, a long-tailed black and white robin. Male: Above, glossy blue-black; wings brown with a prominent long white patch; tail of under-parts white; bill black; legs and feet slaty brown or black. Female: Above, slaty grey on throat and breast.

Habits and Habitat: Keeps singly or in pairs, inhabiting dry deciduous forest, orchards, gardens and village groves. Feed on ants, moths, grasshoppers, caterpillars, small lizards and vegetables matter.

Distribution: Throughout India Status: Resident and migratory IUCN: LC.

120 COMMON NAME : Purple moorhen SCIENTIFIC NAME : Porphyrio porphyrio (Linnaeus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Neerk Kozhi FAMILY : Rallidae ORDER : Gruiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of village hen; Swamp bird, purplish blue rail; long red legs, enormous toes; fore head bald, red; bill red heavy white patch under stumpy tail; iris blood red; male and female alike, except bald fore head, smaller in female. Habits and Habitat: Found in small groups; walk and wade in marshy lands and floating vegetation; typically flicking the tail often; feed on vegetable matter, small invertebrates and seeds; something pest in paddy fields. Distribution: Throughout India Status: Resident IUCN: LC.

121 COMMON NAME : Purple-rumper sunbird SCIENTIFIC NAME : Nectarinia lotenia (Linneaus, 1766) TAMIL NAME : Thaenchittu FAMILY : Nectarinida e ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of sparrow. Male: Above, head, back, shoulders, rump black with glistening metallic green and purple sheen-wing and tail dull black. Below, sooty-brown, throat metallic green and purple, a maroon band across the breast are diagnostic features; bill black, legs and feet horny black. Female: Above, dull olive; tail blue black with white tips. Below, entirely dull yellow. Habits and Habitat: Occurs in single or in pairs inhabiting gardens, orchards, cultivated lands, forest; feed on nectar, flower small insects.

Distribution: Peninsular India

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC.

122 COMMON NAME : Small bee-eater SCIENTIFIC NAME : Merops orientails (Latham, 1801) TAMIL NAME : Panjuruttaan FAMILY : Meropidae ORDER : Coraciiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of sparrow, a slender grass-green bird tinged with reddish brown on head and hind neck; chin and throat blue bordered below by black bill; legs and feet yellowish brown; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Occurs in loose parties and flocks, inhabiting plains and cultivated areas. Feed on hymenopteran insects.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC.

123 COMMON NAME : White-throated munia SCIENTIFIC NAME : Lonchura malabarica (Linneaus, 1758) TAMIL NAME : Nellu Kuruvi FAMILY : Estrildidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Size of sparrow upper parts plain brown; under parts dirty white tail dark brown and pointed; wings dark brown. Male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Gregarious, in flocks upto 60 birds; inhabits by hedges and cart-tracks; feed on ground seed and insects.

Distribution: Throughout India

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC.

124 COMMON NAME : Red-rumped swallow SCIENTIFIC NAME : Hirundo daurica (Linnaeus) HINDI NAME : Masjid-ababil FAMILY : Hirundinidae ORDER : Passeriformes

Field Identification Characters: Glossy deep blue above, fulvous white below finely streaked with dark brown. The chestnut half-collar on hind neck, the deeply forked ‘swallow’ tail, and the chestnut rump looks very pale- almost whitish. Male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Occurs in pairs or parties hawking insects on the wing about cliff,

Distribution: Subcontinant, Car Nicobar, Sri Lanka.

Status: Resident/migratory

IUCN: LC.

125 COMMON NAME : Shikra SCIENTIFIC NAME : Accipiter badius ( Gmelin, 1788) TAMIL NAME : Vallooru FAMILY : Accipitridae ORDER : Falconiformes

Field Identification Characters: Size larger than crow; upper parts dark grey; under parts ash coloured; bill blue, black at the tip; legs yellow; claws black; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat: Highly arboreal; feed on small mammals, birds, lizards, frogs, insects etc; menace for poultry.

Distribution: Southern India.

Status: Resident

IUCN: LC.

126 COMMON NAME : Purple heron

SCIENTIFIC NAME : Ardea purpurea (Linnacus, 1766)

TAMIL NAME : Chennaarai

FAMILY : Ardeidae

Field Identification Characters : Smaller than grey heron; marsh bird; purple all over the body, slightly blockish wing and fowl; crown and crest state coloured; the long thin neck with block stripes; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat : Mostly crepuscular; secretive and hiding in dense bushes, reeds, etc; feed on fish, frog and aquatic invertebrates; solitary; nesting small colonies.

Distribution :Throughout India.

Status : Widespread resident; possible winter migrant from other regions.

IUCN :LC

127 COMMON NAME : Northern pintail SCIENTIFIC NAME : Anas acuta (Linnaeus, 1758 ) TAMIL NAME : Maarkaliyan FAMILY : Anatidae

Field Identification Characters: Size of domestic duck; breeding male with elongated body, slender nick, long pointed pin-like central tail feather; under tail coverts with broad puff patch; head face and throat chordate; hind neck block with white band running down either side of neck. Male in eclipse and female alike with dark gray mantle vermiculated. Female mottled brown lacks pintail; absence of super cilium and slender body are distinctingusing character.

Habits and Habitat : keeps in small flocks along water edge marshlands and paddy fields feed on vegetable matter and cultivated crop; occasionally on small invertebrates.

Distribution : Throughout India; common and widespread.

Status: Winter visitor.

IUCN : LC

128 COMMON NAME : Pheasant-tailed jacana SCIENTIFIC NAME : Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Scopoli, 1786 TAMIL NAME : Neela Ilai Kozhi FAMILY : Jacanidae

Field Identification Characters : size of partridge; marsh bird; in breeding plumage white and dark brown; enormous spider-like toes; very long pointed sickle-shaped tail; face and fore neck white, hind neck golden yellow; male and female alike, female larger; in non breeding season no tail; bill basal part yellow, terminal half brown.

Habits and Habitat : Gregarious; inhabits surface vegetation in sheds tanks etc; feed on vegetable matter and small invertebrates.

Distribution : Throughout India.

Status : Resident.

IUCN : LC

129 COMMON NAME : Kentish plover SCIENTIFIC NAME : Charadrius alexandrinus , (Linnaeus, 1758 )

TAMIL NAME : Chinna Kottaan

FAMILY : Charadriidae

Field identification characters : Size of quail; stocky bird; similar to immature Little Ringed Plover; distinguished by blockish legs of non breeders (winter), narrow brownish stripe through eye; fore head white; small dark patch on upper breast; both male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat : Gregarious in small flocks; seashores, sandy margins of freshwater bodies and saltpans; found mixed with other waders; feed on insects, crops etc.

Distribution : Throughout India

Status: Winter visitor.

IUCN : LC

130 COMMON NAME : Eastern curlew SCIENTIFIC NAME : Numenius arquata, (Linnaeus, 1758)

TAMIL NAME : Kuthiraimalai Kottaan

FAMILY : Scolopacidae

Field Identification Characters : Size of domestic hen; sandy brown; large wading bird; bill down curved, slender and long; under parts white with thin black streaks; legs grey; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat : Less gregarious; feed on aquatic invertebrates in the fields, mangrove swamps and mud flats.

Distribution : Throughout India.

Status : Widespread winder visitor.

IUCN : LC

131 COMMON NAME : Brown shrike SCIENTIFIC NAME : Lanius cristatus (Linnaeus, 1758)

TAMIL NAME : Pazhuppu keechaan

FAMILY : Laniidae

Field Identification Characters : Size of bulbul. Entire upperparts including crown, rump and upper tail-coverts reddish brown; forehead and super cilium white; a block line through eye to ear coverts. Tail rufous brown. Wings brownish block edged, rufous with no white spots. Below, chin, cheeks and throat white; rest pale fulvous; bill horny brown, legs and feet plumbeous or bluish grey; male and female alike.

Habits and Habitat : Solitary or widely separated pairs, crepuscular, inhabiting deciduous and semi evergreen biotopes. Feed on insects, lizards and small mice.

Distribution : Throughout India.

Status : Winter visitor.

IUCN : LC

132 COMMON NAME : Black winged stilt

SCIENTIFIC NAME : Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus, 1758)

TAMIL NAME : Pavazhakkaal Ullaan

FAMILY : Recurvirostridae

Field Identification Characters : Size of partridge; long and lean legged marsh bird; body pied block and white; bill block, straight, slender pointed; wings block; legs remarkable long, thin and red make identity unmistakable even at a distance; male mantle and wings shiny metallic block; plumage shiny white; block spots on head; female block portion replaced by brown, more grey and dull.

Habits and Habitats : Gregarious; wades in water found on jheels, lagoons, reservoirs, etc; feed on mollusks, worms, aquatic insects, small fish, seeds marsh plants etc.

Distribution : Throughout India.

Status : Widespread resident.

IUCN : LC

133 COMMON NAME : Block headed munia

SCIENTIFIC NAME : Lonchura Malacca, Linnaeus

TAMIL NAME : Thinai kuruvi

FAMILY : Estrildinae

Field Identification Characters : Sparrow-some of the other munias. A small chestnut, black and white munia with typical short, heavy, conical bill. Head, neck and upper breast, vent, thighs and under tail-converts black. abdomen white. Sexes alike. flocks, on marshy tall grassland.

Habits and Habitats : Partial to swampy low-lying and ill-drained areas with feathery grass and reeds, and the vicinity of wet paddy cultivation in forest. Otherwise not different in habits, food or voice from the other munia described.

Nesting : Season-principally the monsoon, June to October, varying with local conditions. Nest a large ball of coarse grasses, lined with finer grass, with a lateral entrance hole. Built in low bushes or amongst coarse grass stem.Eggs-5-7, pure white

Distribution: Peninsular India South of Madhya Pradesh and Sri- lanka.

134 COMMON NAME : Forest wagtail SCIENTIFIC NAME : Dendronanthus indicus, Gmelin TAMIL NAME : Kodikal valati FAMILY : Motacillidae

Field Identification Characters : Sparrow, Olive brown above with a pale super cilium and eye ring. Wings blockish brown white edged. White with yellow wash below. A blackish brown collar across throat and a second interrupted one on breast diagnostic taken with the double wing bands.

Habits and Habitats: Affects evergreen and deciduous forest. Haunts cardamom and coffee plantations. Usually seen singly, forging o n the ground but a good deal of its food have obtained in trees. it may feed on insects, spiders and other invertebrates. Moreover, nesting season during May. Nest-a small neat cup of twigs, leaves, etc.,eggs-4,grey with purple blotches. Nest building and incubation by female, fed by male at nest.

Distribution: Mostly winter visitor to NE. India, Bangladesh and Sri lanka .

135 COMMON NAME : Indian jungle nightjar SCIENTIFIC NAME : Caprimulgus indicus, Latham FAMILY : Caprimulgidae

Field Identification Characters : four outer pair of tail feathers with white spots in the male. absent in female. No white spot on primaries. As in other nightjars general plumage brownish buff with block streaks and spots. Tarsus feathered. Coloration cryptic.

Habits and Habitats : A forest species, Crepuscular and nocturnal. Indistinguishable from the ground litter in daytime roots. emerges after sunset to hawk insects on silent wings. often squats on jungle roads at night, its eye reflecting redly in car headlights, fluttering off at the last moment.

Distribution : All over the India.

136 COMMON NAME : Pallas’s gull SCIENTIFIC NAME : Larus ichthyaetus, Pallas FAMILY : Laridae

Field Identification Characters : largest among the gulls, usually solitary. Bill yellow with a bright red patch angle. In winter, head white with brown streaks, turns block by February. Mantle grey, body white. Primaries white with sub terminal block bands and white tips. Immature birds mottled pale brown with almost white head. tail with broad terminal blockish band.

Habits and Habitats : usually solitary. occasionally in small flocks. More of bird of the open seas than other gulls.

Distribution : winter visitor to the coasts and larger rivers of the subcontinent; also Sri lanka;Nepal terai.occasionally inland rivers and lakes-Kutch, Rajasthan

137 Reference:

Thirumali, G. 2005. Birds of Chennai . Zoological Survey of India.

Salim ali, 2002. The book of Indian birds. Bombay Natural Society, Oxford University Press. Mumbai.

Abbreviations used:

IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature.

(Species fact sheets - as per birds international)

EX Extinct

EW Extinct in wild

CR Critically endangered

EN Endangered

VU Vulnerable

NT Near threatened

LC Least concern

DD Data deficient

138

Digital catalog-V Mammalian fauna of DAE campus

139 DOMESTIC CATTLE

Bos taurus

Distribution

Like most domestic animals, Bos taurus (domestic cow) is currently found throughout much of the world. The wild ancestors of cows were native to northern Africa, Europe, and southern Asia.

Habitat

Domestic cows are common and can be found throughout the world. Cattle are born and raised on rangelands. Rangelands are unfertilized, uncultured, and not irrigated. Also, they must contain adequate areas for grazing.

Physical Description

Domestic cows are large, sturdy animals. Weight ranges from 147 kilograms to 1363 kilograms, and height from 49-52 inches. The body is covered in short hair, the color of which varies from black through white, reddish brown, and brown. Domestic cows have short necks with dewlaps hanging below the chin. They have two hollow horns and a long tufted tail. They can be used as working animals for plowing and moving heavy loads. Domestic cows have no upper incisors, instead they have a thick layer called the dental pad. The jaws are designed for the circular grinding motion used to crush coarse vegetation.

Reproduction

Domestic cows are social animals and live in groups called herds. Each herd is led by a dominant male who is the sole male to mate with the rest of the females.

Mating may occur year round, though more calves are born in spring months. One calf is born after approximately nine months of gestation. Young Bos taurus are preocial, they learn to recognize their mother and are able to stand and walk soon after birth. Young domestic cows nurse for approximately six months. Females reach sexual maturity at approximately one year and mating

140 Lifespan/Longevity

Maximum lifespan in domestic cows may exceed 20 years. However, lifespan is often limited by human culling.

Behavior

Cow herds are structured according to a dominance hierarchy. Each individual must yield to those above it in the hierarchy. Calves adopt their mother's status in the hierarchy. Females are often protective of their young and chase anything that threatens them. Females also share parental care within the group. Dominant males maintain this status until defeated by younger males in challenges.

Food Habits

Domestic cows feed on grasses, stems, and other herbaceous plant material. An average cow can consume about 70kg of grass in an 8 hour day. Cows twist grasses around the tongue and cut them with their lower teeth. Domestic cows are ruminants. Ruminants have a special system of digestion which allows for the breakdown of the relatively indigestible plant material which they consume. Cows have a four chambered stomach including a rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. Grass passes through the rumen where it is mixed with specialized bacteria. From the rumen it moves to the reticulum, where it is broken down further. The partly digested food, known as cud, is regurgitated and chewed. It is then swallowed and moves into the omasum and abomasum, where digestive enzymes break it down further and nutrients are absorbed. The process of digestion takes 70-100 hours, one of the slowest passage rates of all animals. This method of digestion permits ruminants to obtain the most nutrients possible from these plant materials.

141 ASIAN WATER BUFFALO

Bubalus bubalis

Distribution

Asian water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis , has been heavily domesticated and thus is now widespread. The suspected native domain of B. bubalis was from Central India to southern Nepal in the west to Vietnam and Malaysia in the east. It is believed that true wild populations still survive in parts of India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Thailand. Domesticated and or feral populations are very widespread. River buffalo (a domesticated variety) are found more in the west and reside in Indochina, the Mediterranean, and parts of South and Central America. Swamp buffalo (another variety under domestication) are more easterly in distribution and inhabit Indochina and Southeast Asia as well as Australia.

Habitat

In the wild, water buffalo are found in tropical and subtropical forests as well as wet grasslands. They are considered terrestrial but are heavily dependent on water and spend a majority of time wallowing in rivers or mud holes. Thus, B. bubalis is found in wet habitats ranging from riverine forests and grasslands, to marshes and swamps. These habitats are a mixture of tall grasses, rivers and streams, and a scattering of trees and forests. Such an environment provides B. bubalis with adequate water for drinking and wallowing, abundant food, and dense cover.

Physical Description

Bubalus bubalis is a large animal. Individuals stand 1.5 to 1.9 m in height at the shoulder, and have large feet with splayed hooves. The face is long and narrow, with rather small ears and large horns. The horns of this species have the widest spread found in any bovid. Unlike African buffalo, in which the bases of the horns almost meet at the forehead, the bases of the horns in Asian water buffalo are far apart. Both sexes bear horns, although those of the female are smaller than those of the male. Horns of both sexes are heavy set at the base, ribbed, and are triangular in cross-section.

142 Bubalus bubalis has a body length of 240 to 300 cm and a tail length of 60 to 100 cm. Wild male water buffalo weigh up to 1,200 kg, and females can weigh up to 800 kg. Domesticated water buffalo range from 250 to 550 kg.

Reproduction

Mating is typically polygynous. Maternal groups exist in a large, loosely structured herds year round. During the wet season, adult males (from bachelor groups or solitary) enter the female groups, and mate with, but do not control, the receptive females who are in estrus for 11 to 72 hours. After mating, males are driven off. Male bovids in general display dominance by posture and movement, and few conflicts escalate to levels of serious injury. Bulls determine estrus by sniffing a cow’s urine and genitals.

Lifespan/Longevity

Water buffalo are known to have a life of up to 25 years in the wild, and a longevity of up to 29 years in captivity.

Behavior

Bubalus bubalis is social. Wild water buffalo commonly form cohesive herds varying from 10 to 20 individuals, although herds of up to 100 individuals have been observed. In Australia, feral water buffalo form herds of up to 30 individuals consisting of adult females, their offspring, and sub-adult females. These herds occupy a home range that provides areas for feeding, drinking, wallowing, and resting. A dominance hierarchy exists within these groups with the leader being an old cow.

At the age of three, males leave female herds, often forming bachelor herds. Bachelor herds may have up to 10 members. These herds typically have a slightly larger ranges than do female groups. Older males are often solitary, but have been observed in female herds year round.

Food Habits

Bubalus bubalis is a ruminant and is predominately a grazer on grasses. It also eats herbs, aquatic plants, leaves, agricultural crops, and various other vegetation that grows in or along rivers and streams.

143 DOMESTIC DOG

Canis familiaris

Distribution

Domestic dogs are now found worldwide. Their wild ancestors, gray wolves occurred in northern hemisphere continental areas, including North America and the Palearctic.

Habitat

Domestic dogs are found in association with humans worldwide and in a wide variety of habitats.

Physical Description

Domestic dogs come in a bewildering variety of shapes and sizes. They have been selectively bred for millenia for various behaviors, sensory capabilities, and physical attributes, including dogs bred for herding livestock (collies, sheperds, etc.), different kinds of hunting (pointers, hounds, etc.), catching rats (small terriers), guarding (mastiffs, chows), helping fishermen with nets (Newfoundlands, poodles), pulling loads (huskies, St. Bernard's), guarding carriages and horsemen (dalmatians), and as companion dogs. Some kinds were even bred simply as lap warmers (Pekingese). Their basic morphology though, no matter how modified, is that of their wild ancestors, gray wolves ..

Reproduction

Reproduction in domestic dogs is generally manipulated by humans. Feral males tend to compete amongst themselves for access to receptive females. Some feral domestic dog populations have reverted to ancestral habits where a single male and female pair (the alpha animals) dominate mating in a small, family group, or pack. Other pack members help to care for the offspring of the dominant pair.

Lifespan/Longevity

Longevity in domestic dogs depends on the care they receive, their breed, and body size. In general, larger breeds have shorter lifespans. Well-cared for animals can live for 12 years or more.

144 Behavior

Domestic dogs are similar to their ancestors, wolves , in that they are both pack animals with a complex set of behaviors related to determining the dogs position in the social hierarchy and their mood. There is only one leader in a pack, and often there is a struggle between members of the pack to determine who the leader is. The struggle ends with one animal on top of the other, with the submissive animal lying on its back. The dominant animal places its paw on the chest of the submissive one, and until the submissive animal looks away from the eyes of the dominant animal, the struggle continues. As soon as the submissive animal averts his eyes, he has admitted defeat and the leader of the pack has been determined. Dogs exhibit characteristic postures that reveal their states of mind. The neutral position is when a dog is calmly observing things in the environment. The mouth of a dog in this position may be open or closed. In the alert position, the dog's mouth may be open or closed, depending on the excitement level and environmental temperature. The hairs along the back and shoulders may rise without any intent of the dog to attack.

Food Habits

Puppies have different feeding habits than older dogs. A puppy needs twice as much protein and 50% more calories per pound of body weight daily in order to meet its growth requirements. A rapid change in a puppy's diet may cause gastrointestinal upsets. Puppies must feed 4 times daily until the age of 3 months, 3 times daily until 6 months and twice daily for the rest of its life. Older dogs' feeding habits are different in a couple of ways. The average size dog requires about 30 calories per pound of body weight per day. Interestingly, larger breeds need only 20 calories per pound of weight, while smaller breeds need about 40 calories per pound of body weight. Human foods that can be fatal to dogs include moldy cheese, onions, and chocolate. Feral domestic dogs will eat a variety of foods including animals and fruits.

145 JUNGLE CAT

Felis chaus

Distribution

Felis chaus inhabits Asia and North Africa, including Indochina, Thailand, Burma, India, Sri Lanka, Mesopotamia, and North Egypt. Afghanistan and Transcapia define the northern border of its range.

Habitat

Felis chaus is found in a wide variety of habitats, most often in wet grasslands and reed thickets near stagnant or slowly flowing water. Although some populations reside in dry areas, F. chaus is never far from a pool of water. Jungle cats live at elevations between sea level and 2400 meters.

Physical Description

Head and body length of Felis chaus ranges from 500 to 750 mm and tail length from 250 to 290 mm. The pelage is generally sandy gray to tawny brown and lacks distinct markings on the body. The tail has several dark rings and a black tip and the ears have black tufts. Felis chaus has the longest legs in proportion to body size of any felid in Indochina, suggesting their ability to chase down prey.

Reproduction

Felis chaus has a polyestrous reproductive cycle. In central Asian populations mating activity is most intense during February and March, but kittens have been observed year round. Sexual maturity is achieved at 1.5 to 2 years of age, and gestation takes 66 days. Usually, a litter consists of 3-5 young.

146 Behavior

Like most felids, Felis chaus are solitary animals. They are active both day and night and den in thick vegetation or in the abandoned burrows of badgers, foxes, or porcupines. When resting they twist the forefeet at the wrist joint and tuck them under the body. Competitors include leopards, wolves, red dogs, and hyenas.

Food Habits

Felis chaus preys on hares and other small mammals, ground birds, snakes, lizards and frogs. They actively hunt during both the day and night, though some consider it a diurnal species. Like all members of Felis , they feed while in a crouched position, unlike larger felids.

147 INDIAN GRAY MONGOOSE

Herpestes edwardsi

Distribution

Indian gray mongooses ( Herpestes edwardsi ) occupy coastal area from Arabia to Nepal and downward through Pakistan, India, and Ceylon. They were introduced to the West Indies, Hawaii, Jamaica, Cuba and Puerto Rico to control poisonous snakes and rats.

Habitat

Indian gray mongooses have been observed in areas of thickets, in cultivated fields or in broken, bushy vegetation. They also occupied open areas, grasslands, and scrub. They sleep in holes in the ground or hollow trees to escape the mid-day sun.

Physical Description

Herpestids have long bodies, short legs and highly developed anal scent glands. Their coats are thick and coarse in texture. Herpestes edwardsi is identified by its silver-grey, salt-and-pepper speckled fur and white-tipped tail. (The head and body are 38 to 46 centimeters long, and the tail is 35 centimeters long. They have 40 teeth. The weight of members of this genus ranges from 0.5 to 4 kg. Herpestes edwardsi has five toes on fore and hind feet. The hind foot is naked to the heel, but the forefoot has hair to its sharp, curved claws.

Reproduction

Herpestes edwardsi reproduces rapidly, with females giving birth to two or three litters per year. Litters typically contain from 2 to 4 young. The gestation period is 60 to 65 days with parturition occurring in May or June and October to December. However, as is the case with all mammals, the female nurses her young. Carnivores are typically born altricial, developing in a nest or den of some type.

148 Lifespan/Longevity

The longest a mongoose has been known to live is 12.5 years. They generally live about seven years. The greatest threat to a mongoose's survival is the use of toxic agro-chemicals in farming areas. The government has restricted use around protected areas.

Behavior

Mongooses are terrestrial, diurnal solitary hunters that search during the day and into late evening. They can be seen any time of the day, but Indian gray mongooses is especially active in the early morning and early evening in search of reptiles. They portray a quick trot, moving constantly, scanning the area for food. They are rarely seen climbing trees.

This species is known for its behavior in combatting snakes. In a fight against a snake, a mongoose utilizes special techniques and adaptations. At first the aggressive mongoose displays its teeth. The snake in turn opens its mouth wide, spreads its hood, and rears back. The cobra strikes time and time again, but the mongoose is able to jump out of reach, weaving and rocking like a boxer. After an hour or so of striking, the snake tires, and the mongoose leaps and attempts to take its first bite. The snake can usually endure the first bite, but the mongoose persists until it is able to hold and crack the cobra's skull. The cobra usually loses because it is unable to strike and retract fast enough to inject its venom. The mongoose would be at a disadvantage against a constrictor or a pit viper.

Indian gray mongooses give no respect to the scorpion or its sting. A mongoose will simply pick the scorpion up and throw it repeatedly between its back legs onto a hard surface until it is broken open. Indian gray mongooses use this technique also to break open large eggs. Most mongooses use this technique for breaking open average sized eggs. Because of their larger body, Indian gray mongooses can hold an average sized egg in their paws and bite open the small end of it.

Indian gray mongooses have an unusually broad transverse process on its lumbar vertebrae and a wide sacrum. The modified backbone is thought to help defend the mongoose when it tucks into a ball like a hedgehog. The related Herpestes icheneumon does not use this defense technique and does not have special lumbar vertebrae.

Home Range

The home range size for this species has not been reported.

Communication and Perception

Mongooses have an anal sac used in communication. Males spray only during the mating season. Mongooses display an adapted behavior to deposit the spray at nose height on vertical objects. Indian gray mongooses raise one leg, spraying the urine down the object to be marked. In addition, they may spray high on the object by rearing up on the forepaws into a handstand position and ejecting the secretions. The secretions of the scent glands are potent and can radiate a large distance, like that of the skunk

Food Habits

Indian gray mongooses are opportunistic hunters feeding mainly on mice, rats, lizards, snakes, and beetles. Ground birds, their eggs, and parts of plants: fruits, berries, and roots have become a part of their diet. In India, they have been seen chasing a hare and running away with a cattle egret. In India, the Indian gray mongoose feeds on the eggs and chicks of the red jungle fowl, the peafowl, and the partridges. They have been known to prey in grasslands in search of snakes and small mammals, on beaches in Hawaii, and wading in the water to find food under stones. They have

149 also been known to prey on grasshoppers, scorpions, centipedes, frogs, crabs, and fish. The mongoose has an elongated skull with specialized teeth for hunting. The incisors form a cutting edge at the front of the mouth, the canines point and protrude allowing it to clamp onto a snake's head, and the molars have pointed cusps for crushing insects.

150 INDIAN CRESTED PORCUPINE

Hystrix indica

Distribution

The Indian porcupine ( Hystrix indica ) is found throughout southeast and central Asia and in parts of the Middle East, including such countries as India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Israel, Iran and Saudia Arabia.

Habitat

The Indian porcupine is highly adaptable to multiple environments. Although they usually favor rocky hill sides, the species can also be found in tropical and temperate scrublands, grasslands, and forests. They are also found throughout the Himalayan mountains, reaching up to elevations of 2400 meters.

Physical Description

On average, the Indian porcupine's head and body measure 70-90 centimeters (cm) in length, with the tail adding an additional 8-10 cm. Its hair is highly modified to form multiple layers of spines. Beneath the longer, thinner spines lies a layer of shorter and thicker ones. Each quill is brown or black in color, with alternating bands of white. Spines vary in length, with the neck and shoulder quills being the longest, measuring 15 to 30 cm. The tail is covered with with shorter spines that appear white in color. Among these, are longer, hollow, rattling quills that are used to alarm potential predators. The feet and hands are broad, with long claws that are used for burrowing.

Reproduction

Gestation for the species, on average, lasts 240 days. Brood size varies, ranging from2 to 4 offspring per year. Young are born with their eyes open, and the body is covered by short soft quills. The Indian porcupine is usually monogamous, with both parents being found in the burrow with their offspring throughout the year.

Behavior

Indian porcupines are nocturnal, with the species seeking shelter in caves, between rocks, or in its burrow during the day When irritated or alarmed, the Indian porcupine raises its quills and rattles the hollow spines on its tail. If the disturbance continues, the species launches a backward

151 attack and clashes its rear against the offending animal. This action drives the spines deep into the enemy, often leading to severe injury or death. The majority of the damage is done by the short quills that are hidden beneath the longer, thinner spines on the tail and back. Quite often, these quills become dislodged and remain in the victim.

Food Habits

The main food source for the Indian porcupine is vegetable material of all kinds, including fruits, grains, and roots. The species utilizes both natural plants and agricultural crops as food sources.

152 BLACK-NAPED HARE

Lepus nigricollis

Distribution

Lepus nigricollis is found in southern India. These hares range as far east as Godavari and west as far as Khandesh, Berar, and Madhya Pradesh. Lepus nigricollis are also native to Sri Lanka. They have been introduced into Java, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

Habitat

Lepus nigricollis are generally found in areas where large tracts of bush and jungle alternate with farmland. They are also commonly sighted in coastal herb communities. Hilly areas, particularly the depressions at the base of hills, are preferred habitats for L. nigricollis .

Physical Description

Lepus nigricollis are also called black-naped hares due to the patch of black fur that runs along the nape of the neck. The top of the tail is also black and the back and face are brown with black hairs scattered throughout. The underparts are white. Total length ranges from 40 to 70 cm and weight ranges from 1.35 to 7 kg.

Reproduction

During mating season, male L. nigricollis become aggressive, sparring with other males using their forepaws and "boxing" with their hind feet. Males will attempt to mate with as many females as they can.

Lifespan/Longevity

Longevity in L. nigricollis is unknown but other hare species tend to live 5 years in the wild and up to 7 years in captivity.

153 Behavior

Lepus nigricollis spend much of the daytime sleeping in "forms" or depressions made in the grass. Occasionally they will be seen stretched out on their sides, sunning themselves. They are primarily diurnal and solitary, though may aggregate somewhat for breeding.

Food Habits

Lepus nigricollis is herbivorous, though the types of vegetation it eats varies. Many of the areas these animals inhabit have wet and dry seasons and these play a large role in food availability. During the wet season, short grasses are abundant and they are the preferred food. During the dry season, when short grasses are scarce, more flowering plants are consumed. They also eat crops and germinating seeds. Like all hares, L. nigricollis practices coprophagy.

154 BONNET MACAQUE

Macaca Radiata

Distribution

Populations of bonnet head monkeys ( Macaca Radiata ) are most commonly found through India to northern Thailand.

Habitat

Macaca Radiata lives in a wide range of habitats, and shows a great deal of adaptability. Some populations live in flatlands, while others, in northern India and Pakistan, live in the Himalayas at elevations up to 3,000 m. These primates are able to aclimate to a variety of climatic extremes, from the hot, dry temperatures found in deserts, to cold winter temperatures which fall to well below the freezing point.

In addition to living in the wilderness, some populations of M.Radiata have become accustomed to living alongside humans. Occasionally, small groups can be found living in the densely populated urban areas of northern India. Groups of these monkeys that become used to living in areas occupied by people usually search out other human-populated areas if people attempt to relocate them away from civilization.

Physical Description

These smallish monkeys have grizzled-brown fur dorsally, with the fur on the ventrum being slightly lighter in color. The hair is short on the head. The face and buttocks of adults are red.

Length varies in this species, ranging between 45 and 64 cm. The tail adds an additional 19 to 32 cm to the total length. Males are somewhat heavier than females, weighing between 6.5 and 12 kg. Females weigh a mere 5.5 kg on average.

155 Reproduction

Although these monkeys show mate preferences, in general they are highly promiscuous. As they live in multi-male, multifemale groups, there are ample opportunities for individuals to copulate with multiple partners.

Female rhesus monkeys have a sexual cycle of 29 days. They are receptive to copulation for between 8 and 11 days during that cycle. To solicit copulations, females present their hindquarters to males. The skin of the perineal region becomes redded when the female is in estrus, and aliphatic acids are present, proving a potential chemical cue to their state of fertility.

Lifespan/Longevity

They can live up to 30 years.

Behavior

Highly active and very loud. They live in groups of up to two hundred individuals. When a group's size reaches 80 to 100 members, a subgroup of females may split off to form a new group. Populations generally consist of a few unrelated males and many closely related females. Sometimes small groups form that consist of only males. Males usually leave the group in which they were born shortly after they reach sexual maturity. Offspring born to a mother and son, or to siblings, are very rare. Both males and females in a group show a preference for high ranking members of the opposite sex.

Food Habits

The dietary habits of rhesus monkeys can vary greatly depending upon where they live. M.Radiata is omnivorous, and often eat roots, herbs, fruits, insects, crops, and small animals. The diet can also vary with the season. These monkeys seem to choose their environments carefully with respect to food resources. Even when they are forced to switch to lower quality food sources during the winter months they do not exhibit higher mortality rates, although they may lose a considerable percentage of their body weight.

156 WILD BORE

Sus scrofa

Distribution

Of all members of the pig family, Sus scrofa occupies the largest range. They originally occurred in Europe, Asia, North Africa, and the Malay Archipelago. Included in this native range were a number of island populations, including the British Isles, Corsica, Sardinia, Japan, Sri Lanka, the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Hainan, Sumatra, Java, and smaller islands of the East Indies. Sus scrofa was later introduced throughout the world as domesticated animals by humans. Currently, Sus scrofa can be found nearly everywhere, from homes to barns to boggy marshes and mountainous terrain.

Habitat

Although Sus scrofa is found in a wide variety of habitats as a result of domestication and introduction to new areas, the typical wild habitat is generally moist forests and shrublands, especially oak forests and areas where reeds are abundant. They are thought to be mainly limited by maximum winter snowfall, deep snow decreases their ability to travel and find food. They are sensitive to severe temperature changes. Sus scrofa has developed the technique of wallowing in mud or water to maintain a comfortable temperature. Wallowing also protects against sunburn and insect bites. Sus scrofa has even been known to wallow in their own urine to keep cool. Temperatures dropping below 50 degrees will cause discomfort. Conversely, Sus scrofa is prone to sunstroke in unusually warm temperature.

Physical Description

Wild boars are covered in a scant coat of coarse, bristle-like hairs ranging from dark gray to brown. Head and body length ranges from 900 to 1800 mm, tail length is about 300 mm, and shoulder height is 550 to 1100 mm. Weight averages 50 to 350 kg, though some domestic breeds can attain weights of 450 kg. Males are generally larger than females. Wild boar have four continually growing tusks, one in each quadrant of the jaw.

157 Reproduction

Mating season is a violent time, as males often fight for access to females. Male Sus scrofa are able to continuously sharpen their tusks by rubbing the lower ones against the upper ones. The tusks are used as weapons most frequently during mating season. Sus scrofa individuals develop thick tissue around the front of the belly to help protect against stab wounds from tusks. The most aggressive males have been known to secure as many as eight sows during a single mating season.

In temperate regions females give birth to one litter in the spring. In tropical regions breeding occurs year-round but is often concentrated during moist seasons. Females have an estrous of about 21 days and are receptive for 3 days. Young are born after a gestation period of about 115 days (range 100 to 140). Mothers give birth to litters of from 1 to 12 young, generally between 4 and 8. Although sexual maturity can be reached between 8 and 10 months of age, females generally don't breed until 18 months old and males do not generally reach the size necessary to compete for females until 5 years old.

Lifespan/Longevity

Wild pigs usually live to about 10 years old, although some have been recorded living as long as 27 years. Mortality in the young is high.

Behavior

Wild Sus scrofa in Europe are sometimes found in large herds ('sounders') of up to 100, though a more typical size is 20 individuals. Sounders are made up of females and their young. When males reach maturity they leave the group and live mainly on their own. Sounders may travel together over a large home range, but do not migrate. Wild pigs are generally active at dusk, dawn, and at night.

Food Habits

Sus scrofa is known for its omnivorous and sometimes indiscriminate diet. The diet includes fungi, tubers and bulbs, vegetation, grains and nuts, fruit, eggs, small vertebrates, invertebrates, carrion, and manure. Such a wide range of food sources has enabled Sus scrofa to survive in a variety of environments, from deserts to mountainous terrain.

158 GOLDEN JACKAL

Canis aureus

Distribution

The golden jackal occurs in North and East Africa, Southeastern Europe and South Asia to Burma.

Habitat

The golden jackal is the most northerly of jackal species, and also the most widely distributed. It overlaps biotopes only with the black-backed jackal in East African savannas. Golden jackals prefer dry open country, arid short grasslands and steppe landscapes.

Physical Description

The body length of the golden jackal is 70 to 85 cm., with a tail length of about 25 cm. Its standing height is approximately 40 cm. The fur is generally coarse and not very long. Its coat is usually yellow to pale gold and brown-tipped, but the color can vary with season and region. On the Serengeti Plain in Northern Tanzania, golden jackals are brown-tipped yellow in the rainy season (December-January), changing to pale gold in the dry season (September-October).

Reproduction

Golden jackals live in mated pairs and are strictly monogamous. In most jackal families, there are one or two adult members called "helpers." Helpers are jackals who stay with the parents for a year after reaching sexual maturity, without breeding, to help take care of the next litter.

Births occur mainly in January-February in East Africa and in April-May in Southeast Europe, but take place throughout the year in tropical Asia. Golden jackals of the Serengeti court at the end of the dry season and produce pups during the rainy season. They have been observed to produce pups for at least eight years. The gestation period is 63 days. Young are born in a den within the parents' marked territory. Litters can contain one to nine pups, but two to four is the usual number. Weight at birth is 200-250 grams. Pups' eyes open after about ten days. The pups are nursed for about eight weeks, and then weaned. The young are fed by regurgitation and begin to take some solid food at

159 about three months. Both parents provide food and protection. Sexual maturity comes at eleven months.

Behavior

The basic social unit of the golden jackal is a mated pair or a mated pair and its young. Golden jackal pairs forage and rest together. All of their behavior is highly synchronized. Cooperative hunting is important to the jackals. Pairs are three times more likely to be successful than individuals in hunting. Members of the same family also cooperate in sharing larger food items and transport food in their stomachs for later regurgitation to pups or to a lactating mother. Hunting families hold territories of two to three square kilometers throughout the year, portions of which are marked with urine, either by the male or the female jackal, to ward off intruders.

They behave in a manner similar to domesticated dogs and wolves. Males raise a hind leg when spraying their urine, and females squat at the site they wish to spray. Males and females alike mark their territory by spraying, primarily during the mating season.

Each jackal species communicates through its own repertoire of calls. Golden jackals use a wide inventory of howls to locate one another. By howling together, a pair shows that there is a bond between them, and thus the choral howling can be considered a kind of betrothal.

Food Habits

Golden jackals consume 54% animal food and 46% plant food. They are opportunistic foragers with a very varied diet, which consists of young gazelles, rodents, (especially during winter), hares, ground birds and their eggs, reptiles, frogs, fish, insects and fruit. They take carrion on occasion.

160 SMALL INDIAN CIVET

Viverricula indica

Distribution

It is distributed over most of India, Pakistan, eastward to south China, Myanmar, Thailand, southward from Sri Lanka, Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia.

Description

The small Indian civet is somewhat cat like in general appearance having relatively long forelegs and conspicuous rounded ears. The general body colour varies from sandy-buff to greyish- white and is heavily spotted with blackish patches in parallel horizontal lines. The spots are smaller in the region of the spine where they tend to coalesce into continuous lines. The spots at the flanks are considerably bigger and set apart than from the dorsal spots. All four legs are blackish or very dark brown and are often marked with small white patches. The tail is almost two third the length of head and body and is conspicuously marked with 9-10 concentric black rings. The throat and breast are greyish-white with two thick black semicircular bands on the upper throat. It lacks dorsal crest and the anterior edge of the ears is set close together. The weight varies from 2.2 - 3.4 kg. The head and body measure 450 to 630 mm while tail length varies from 369 and 413 mm.

Five subspecies have been identified from India; V. indica indica Geoffroy, 1803 from Western Ghats , V. indica bengalensis Grey, 1832 from the plains of northern India, V. indica deserti Bonhote, 1898 from Rajasthan, V. indica wellsi Pocock, 1933 from Kangra, Kumaun and Uttar Pradesh, and V. indica baptistae Pocock, 1933 from upper Bengal and Assam.

Behaviour

It is normally solitary and strictly nocturnal and prefers long grasses and scrub to live in. Though it is capable of climbing trees, it prefers to hunt on ground. It is mostly omnivorous in nature. Its diet includes rodents, lizards, insects, small birds, birds’ eggs and nestling and often fruits. It lives

161 in burrows dug by itself or under rocks. It is polyestrous, and young ones are seen throughout the year, with litter size between 3 to 5. The life span is around 22 years in captivity.

Conservation status

It is listed in Schedule II

162 HOUSE MICE

Mus musculus

House mice are from 65 to 95 mm long from the tip of their nose to the end of their body, their tails are 60 to 105 mm long. Their fur ranges in color from light brown to black, and they generally have white or buffy bellys. They have long tails that have very little fur and have circular rows of scales (annulations). House mice tend to have longer tails and darker fur when living closely with humans. They range from 12 to 30 g in weight. Many domestic forms of mice have been developed that vary in color from white to black and with spots.

Distribution

Mus musculus may have originally been distributed from the Mediterranean region to China, but it has now been spread throughout the world by humans and lives as a human commensal.

Habitat

House mice generally live in close association with humans-- in houses, barns, granaries, etc. They also occupy cultivated fields, fencerows, and even wooded areas, but they seldom stray far from buildings. Some individuals spend the summer in fields and move into barns and houses with the onset of cool autumn weather. Because of their association with humans, house mice have been able inhabit inhospitable areas (such as tundra and desert) which they would not be able to occupy independently.

Food Habits

In the wild, house mice eat many kinds of plant matter, such as seeds, fleshy roots, leaves and stems. Insects (beetle larvae, caterpillars, and cockroaches) and meat (carrion) may be taken when available. In human habitation, Mus musculus consumes any human food that is accessible as well as glue, soap, and other household materials. Many mice store their food or live within a human food storage facility.

Reproduction

163 House mice have a polygynous mating system. The recent discovery of ultrasonic songs produced by male mice, when exposed to female sex pheromones, suggests that this behavior may be involved in mate choice.

Longevity

If a house mouse is a pet, the average life span is about 2 years, but mutant and calorie- restricted captive individuals have lived for as long as 5 years. Wild-derived captive Mus musculus individuals have lived up to 4 years in captivity. In the wild, most mice do not live beyond 12-18 months.

Behavior

Mus musculus is generally considered both territorial and colonial when living commensally with humans. Territoriality is not as pronounced in wild conditions, however. Dominant males set up a territory including a family group of several females and their young. Occasionally, subordinate males may occupy a territory or males may share territories. Females establish a loose hierarchy within the territories, but they are far less aggressive than males. Aggression within family groups is rare, but all the individuals in a territory will defend an area against outsiders. Young mice are generally made to disperse through adult aggression, although some (especially females) may remain in the vicinity of their parents.

164 FLYING FOX

Pteropus giganteus

Distribution

Pteropus giganteus occurs in tropical regions of South Central Asia, from Pakistan to China, and as far south as the Maldive Islands.

Habitat

These animals can be found in forests and swamps. Large groups of individuals roost in trees such as banyan, fig, and tamarind. Roosting trees are usually in the vicinity of a body of water.

Physical Description

The physical appearance of this species is similar to that of megachiropterans in general, with large eyes, simple ears, and no facial ornamentation. Dark brown, gray, or black body color with a contrasting yellowish mantle is typical of the genus Pteropus . Body mass ranges from 600 to 1600 g and males are generally larger than females. Wingspan may range from 1.2 to 1.5 m and body length averages 23 cm. Members of the genus Pteropus maintain body temperatures between 33 and 37 C, but must do this through constant activity.

Reproduction

This species is polygynandrous, with no pair bonds occurring between males and females. Females are defended from intruding males by males that live in their roosting tree.

Longevity

The longest lifespan of an individual of this species in captivity was recorded at 31 years, 5 months. Little information is available regarding life expectancy in the wild.

Behavior

Pteropus giganteus is a social species, with large groups of several hundred individuals living in the same tree. Males may maintain a vertical dominance hierarchy of resting spots in the tree, and may also defend the roost and associated females from intruders. During the day, these animals sleep, hanging upside down by their feet with their wings wrapped around themselves. They also fan themselves to aid in thermoregulation, move around in the roosting tree, and communicate with each other.

165 Food Habits

This species has been reported to eat many different species of fruit, including guava, mango, and fig. An individual of the genus Pteropus squeezes out fruit juices from the pulp against the roof of its mouth, and then discards the dry material. Some Pteropus species also supplement their dietary protein by eating insects. Others, including P. giganteus , eat the blossoms and nectar of fruiting plants.

Reference:

On-line Animal Diversity Web. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/index.html

Nowak, R. 1991. Walker's Mammals of the World, Fifth Edition . Baltimore, Maryland: The Johns Hopkins University Press.

Santiapillai, C., M. De Silva, S. Dissanayake. 2000. The status of mongooses (family: Herpestidae) in Ruhuna National Park, Sri Lanka. The Journal of the Bombay Natural History Society , 97: 208-214.

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