Exotic Animals in India: Lion-Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Marten & Other Rare Species Spotted Only in India

By Team LatestlyJuly 01, 2021
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Lion-Tailed Macaque

As an Old World monkey native to the Western Ghats of South India, they rank among the rarest of the 250-species (approx.) of primates around the world.

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Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala

The Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, a protected area in the Kollam district of Kerala houses and protects the highly endangered species.

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Nilgiri Marten

The Nilgiri marten, a small carnivorous mammal, is the only marten species native to India. The animal that usually appears of dark brown colour with a yellow-coloured patch at its forefeet.

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Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu

You can spot the Nilgiri marten at Anamalai Tiger Reserve, a pristine 958.59 sq. km reserve of tropical jungle and spilling over the Western Ghats into Kerala between Kodaikanal and Coimbatore.

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Kashmir Stag

The Kashmir Stag, also known as Hangul, is a subspecies of elk and is native to Kashmir. With their magnificent antlers, the stag is the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir.

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Dachigam National Park in Jammu Kashmir

Only found in the dense riverine forests of Dachigam National Park located at 22 km from Srinagar, the Kashmir Stag is listed as one of the critically endangered and rare species.

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Sangai

The endangered subspecies of brow-antlered deer, called sangai, is only found in Manipur.

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Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur

They reside in about 15-20 km area across the Keibul Lamjao National Park in Manipur, the only floating park in the world.

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Pygmy Hog

As a critically endangered species, pygmy hog is now only found in Assam. These are the smallest wild pigs and piglets, and they are one of the very few mammals that build its own home and complete it with a roof.

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Manas National Park in Assam

Of the 150 pygmy hogs left, Manas National Park in Assam hosts some of the rare species. The park is known for its endemic wildlife such as the Assam roofed turtle, hispid hare and wild water buffalo.

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Nilgiri Tahr

As the only mountain ungulate in Southern India among just 12 species found in India, Nilgiri Tahr is found only in the tropical rainforest of the Western Ghats.

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Eravikulam National Park in Kerala

With curved horns, coarse and short fur, the Nilgiri Tahr is extensively found in the Eravikulam National Park (Idukki district) where an estimated 700-800 Nilgiri Tahrs live.

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