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India

Below you can find a complete list of Indian animals. We currently track 283 animals in India and are adding more every day!

In terms of its size, population, and even wildlife, India is a land of incredible extremes. Some of the largest (and even some of the smallest) wildlife on the planet can be found across India’s vast array of rich mountains, verdant grasslands, luscious tropical jungles and forests, dense wetlands, and arid deserts. The country’s most prominent regions include the Himalayas, the Indo-Gangetic plain (named after the two northern rivers against which it’s bound), the Western Ghats mountain range, and the Deccan Plateau toward the south.

The Official National (State) Animals of India

As a symbol of strength and power, the Bengal tiger is the official national animal of India. Other important symbols include the Indian elephant and the Indian peacock.

Where to Find the Top Wild Animals

The state of India has set aside more than 500 wildlife sanctuaries and a hundred national parks to protect its wildlife. The largest and most popular parks are listed below.

The Most Dangerous Animals in India Today

India is home to several venomous animals and large, dangerous predators. These species are responsible for more deaths than many others:

  • King Cobra – Native to the forests and jungles of eastern India, the king cobra can deliver a powerful toxin that affects the victim’s central nervous system. Symptoms include pain, vertigo, and even paralysis. Death can sometimes occur in as little as 30 minutes.
  • Saltwater Crocodile – As the largest living reptile in the world, the saltwater crocodile can grow up to 20 feet long. Its world-class bite and tendency to treat humans as prey mean that this crocodile should be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, many people who wander into their territory every year are vulnerable to attack.
  • Russell’s Viper – As one of the most dangerous and fearsome snakes in the world, Russell’s viper causes thousands of death every year. Symptoms of its bite include pain, swelling, dizziness, vomiting, and even kidney failure. Since it feeds on rodents and lizards, this snake will often wander into human territory.
  • Indian Red Scorpion – The toxin of this scorpion will attack the cardiovascular and pulmonary systems, causing a surprisingly high incidence of death. Symptoms can include vomiting, sweating, pain, convulsions, breathlessness, and an abnormal heart rate.

Endangered Animals

India contains some of the largest and most unique wildlife on the planet, but a lot of this diversity is now in danger of becoming extinct from human activity.

  • Indian Elephant – This subspecies of the Asian elephant is endemic to grasslands and forests throughout South Asia. But as habitat loss has gnawed away at the elephant’s natural territory, the numbers have fallen precipitously. Only about 30,000 of them still remain in India.
  • Bengal Tiger – This subspecies of the tiger once roamed the forests, grasslands, and mangroves of India in much larger numbers. But poaching and habitat loss have caused numbers to decline, so it’s now classified as endangered. Only about 2,000 of them remain in India out of a total population of about 3,000 throughout the larger region.
  • Dhole – Also known as the Asian wild dog, this close relative of the wolf is endemic to mountains and alpine forests, and meadows. Like the wolf, it was deliberately persecuted by humans both for sport and to prevent them from killing livestock. It’s now extinct from large parts of its former territory.
  • Asiatic Lion – This subspecies of the lion is less well-known than its African brethren. It once inhabited a huge swath of territory across Western Asia, but as a result of deliberate hunting and some habitat loss, this species is now restricted to the Indian state of Gujarat in the western part of the country.
  • Indian Vulture – The Indian vulture experienced a sharp and sudden decline between 2000 and 2007 due to kidney failure from the accidental ingestion of pharmacological drugs that are normally administered to livestock. Because vultures help keep the environment free of carcasses, their decline has caused disease to spread more rapidly. Conservationists are attempting to breed them in captivity, but their slow reproduction is a hindrance to their rehabilitation. It’s now in danger of becoming extinct.
  • Lion-tailed Macaque – This endangered Old World monkey, which sports an elegant silver-white mane and long tufted tail, is endemic to the Western Ghants mountain range of South India. Only a few thousand remain in the wild.
  • South Asian River Dolphin – This freshwater dolphin species is endemic to the Indus River of Pakistan and the Ganges River of India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. It is estimated that less than 5,000 remain, possibly due to pollution, dam construction, and other habitat changes.

Types of Birds in India

Around 1,300 species of birds are native to India, 80 of which are endemic. The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is the largest bird sanctuary in the state of Karnataka, and one of India’s best birding locations. You’ll find a wide variety of birds including pied kingfishers, long-legged spoonbills, spotted owls, and painted storks. You can see resident birds year-round, or many species of migratory birds utilizing the sanctuary. The best time to see both resident and migratory birds are November to February.

The Bharatpur bird sanctuary, also known as Keoladeo National park, is famous for bird watching. Over 360 species of birds inhabit this sanctuary’s woodlands, grasslands, swamps, and wetlands. It is famous for critically endangered Siberian cranes. You can also find Indian peafowls, flamingos, pelicans, vultures, Indian grey hornbills, and so much more. The best time to see resident and migratory birds is between October to March.

Snakes Native to India

There are 60 species of venomous snakes in India. It is famously home to a group of venomous snakes known as “The Big Four”. The Indian cobra, Russell’s viper, common crait, and saw-scaled viper are responsible for the deadliest snake bites in the country. Experts have recently included a fifth venomous snake that contributes to the most mortality rates, the hump-nosed pit viper.

There are many types of snakes in India’s diverse habitats other than The Big Four. Other popular species include:

  • Indian Rat Snake: Also known as the Oriental rat snake, they are common in a wide range of habitats through India. These semiarboreal snakes are long and slender.
  • King Cobra: The longest venemous snake in the world, reaching lengths of up to 18 feet long. They are found in Northern India in forests and agricultural areas.
  • Indian Python: They go by several common names, including black-tailed python, Indian rock python, and Asian rock python. These non-venomous snakes live in a variety of tropical habitats in India.
  • Checkered Keelback: Aggressive semi-aquatic snakes found near freshwater sources.
  • Brahminy Blind Snake: The smallest snake in India, and one of the smallest in the world. They live underground and are similar in apearance to earthworms.

More on India

Indian Animals

Adelie Penguin

Eats up to 2kg of food per day!

Angora Goat

Each adult Angora goat produces about 12 inches of mohair annually while kids have about 8 inches.

Ant

First evolved 100 million years ago!

Antelope

Renew their horns every year!

Archerfish

Archerfish can shoot a stream of water up to five feet with amazing accuracy.

Armyworm

They are so named because they "march" in armies of worms from one crop to another in search of food

Asian Elephant

Domesticated for hundreds of years!

Asian Giant Hornet

The largest wasp in the world!

Asian Palm Civet

It mainly eats mangos and coffee!

Asiatic Black Bear

Known to eat 160 different tree-borne fruits in Thailand!

Atlas Moth

Adult atlas moths do not eat - they live off fat they stored as larvae.

Aurochs

Extinct ancestor of all domesticated cattle!

Avocet

Has a curved, upturned beak!

Banana Spider

People spin clothing and fishing nets out of these spiders’ silk.

Banded Krait

What often prevents more people from falling victim is that the banded krait does not always inject venom in a defensive bite. It saves the venom for hunting prey instead.

Barb

There are over 1768 known species!

Barn Owl

Found everywhere around the world!

Barn Swallow

Older offspring help care for new hatchlings.

Bat

Detects prey using echolocation!

Baya

The baya constructs a massive nest out of plant fibers

Bear

There are 8 different species!

Beauty rat snake

Beauty Rat Snakes are relatively harmless if left undisturbed, only attempting to bite out of fear.

Bed Bugs

Bed bugs feed for 4-12 minutes.

Bee

Rock paintings of bees date back 15,000 years

Beetle

There are more than 350,000 different species

Bengal Tiger

The most numerous species of tiger!

Binturong

Also known as the Asian Bearcat!

Bird

Not all birds are able to fly!

Biscuit Beetle

The biscuit beetle form a symbiotic relationship with yeast

Black Widow Spider

They typically prey on insects!

Blind Snake

The blind snake is often mistaken for a worm.

Boiga
Brahminy Blindsnake
Brown Dog Tick

Can live its entire life indoors

Bumblebee

The most common species of bee!

Burmese Python

These snakes can swallow their prey as whole.

Butterfly

There are thought to be up 17,500 species!

Caecilian

Some species' babies use their hooked or scraper-like teeth to peel off and eat their mother's skin

Camel

Can survive without water for 10 months!

Camel Cricket

The camel crickets that are found in the USA are light brown in color. They also have dark streaks all over their body.

Caracal

Has 20 different muscles in it's ears!

Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ants can lift up to seven times their own weight with their teeth!

Carpet Viper

The Carpet Viper probably bites and kills more people than any other species of snake.

Cashmere Goat

Cashmere goat are named after Kashmir regions of India and Pakistan

Cat

First domesticated by the Ancient Egyptians!

Caterpillar

The larvae of a moth or butterfly!

Catfish

There are nearly 3,000 different species!

Centipede

There are about 3,000 documented species!

Chameleon

There are more than 160 different species!

Cheetah

The fastest land mammal in the world!

Chicken

First domesticated more than 10,000 years ago!

Cicada

Cicadas have one of the longest insect lifespans

Cinereous Vulture

This vulture can fly at great heights. At least one was found a few thousand feet from the top of Mount Everest.

Clouded Leopard

Has canines that can be two inches long!

Cockroach

Dated to be around 300 million years old!

Codling Moth

Pupae are able to undergo diapause to survive poor fruit yield years and winter.

Common Buzzard

The most common raptor in the UK!

Common Furniture Beetle

The common furniture beetle feeds exclusively on wood

Common House Spider

House spiders have the ability to eat most insects in a home.

Common Raven

A group of ravens is called an unkindness or a conspiracy.

Coral Snake

There are over 80 species of coral snake worldwide.

Cow

There are nearly 1.5 million worldwide!

Crab

There are 93 different crab groups

Crab Spider

Crab Spiders can mimic ants or bird droppings

Crane

Many are critically endangered species!

Cricket

Male crickets can produce sounds by rubbing their wings together

Crocodile

Have changed little in 200 million years!

Crow

A group of these birds is called a Murder.

Cuckoo
Danios

These fish make a popular choice for aquarium hobbyists due to their hardy nature.

Deer

There are around 40 different species!

Desert Locust

Solitary locusts are grey while gregarious locusts are yellow with stripes.

Dhole

Only 2,000 left in the wild!

Dog

First domesticated in South-East Asia!

Dog Tick

Dog ticks feed on dogs and other mammals

Donkey

First domesticated 5,000 years ago!

Dormouse

Found in Europe, Africa and Asia!

Draco Volans Lizard

Beneath the lizard’s “wings” are a pair of enlarged ribs for support.

Dragonfly

It's larvae are carnivorous!

Duck

Rows of tiny plates line their teeth!

Dung Beetle

The dung beetle can push objects many times its own weight

Eagle

Has exceptional eyesight!

Earthworm

They are hermaphrodites, which means they have male and female organs

Earwig

There are nearly 2,000 different species!

Eel

Eels can be a mere few inches long to 13 feet!

Elephant

Spends around 22 hours a day eating!

Eurasian Wolf

Coloring depends on location.

Falcon

The fastest creatures on the planet!

False Widow Spider

False spiders actually prey on black widow spiders and other hazardous spiders

Fiddler Crab

The fiddler crab gets its name from the motion the males make with their over-sized claw during the mating ritual.

Fire-Bellied Toad

Found across mainland Europe and Asia!

Firefly

The firefly produces some of the most efficient light in the world

Fishing Cat

Scoops fish out of the water using it's paw!

Flamingo

Sleeps on just one leg!

Flea

Adult fleas can jump up to 7 inches in the air

Flowerhorn Fish

The Flowerhorn fish is an artificial species; it does not exist naturally

Fly

There are more than 240,000 different species!

Flying Snake

Flying snakes are the only gliding limbless vertebrates or animals with a backbone.

Flying Squirrel

Can glide up to 90 meters!

Fox

There are 12 different species in the world!

Frog

There are around 7,000 different species!

Fruit Bat

Among the largest bats in the world

Fruit Fly

Fruit flies are among the most common research animals in the world

Gazelle

Named for the Arabic word for love poems

Gecko

There are thought to be over 2,000 species!

Gerbil

Originally known as the Desert Rat!

German Cockroach

The most common type of urban roach

Gharial

Found in the murky waters of Northern India!

Gibbon

Found in dense jungles and tropical forests!

Glass Lizard

Can grow up to 4ft long!

Glow Worm

Found inhabiting dense woodland and caves!

Gnat

Males form large mating swarms at dusk

Goat

Most closely related to the Sheep!

Golden Oriole

Migrates between Europe and Asia!

Goonch Catfish

The goonch catfish, or giant devil catfish, is one of the most fierce freshwater fish.

Goose

There are 29 different species!

Grasshopper

There are 11,000 known species!

Green Bee-Eater

Mainly eats honeybees!

Grey Heron

Male grey herons are picky about their mates. They'll reject a female that they don't fancy.

Griffon Vulture

Can spot a dead animal from thousands of feet away

Hamster

Able to run as quickly backwards as forwards!

Hare

Can reach speeds of over 40 mph!

Hawk Moth Caterpillar

Many hawk moth caterpillars eat toxins from plants, but don’t sequester them the way milkweed butterflies do. Most toxins are excreted.

Hedgehog

Thought to be one of the oldest mammals on Earth!

Heron

Inhabits wetlands around the world!

Honey Badger

One of earth's bravest creatures!

Honey Bee

There are only 8 recognized species!

Hoopoe

Stunning bird with a stinky way to deter predators!

Hornbill

The bird has a massive horn on its bill!

Horse

Has evolved over 50 million years!

Horsefly

Horseflies have been seen performing Immelmann turns, much like fighter jets.

Horseshoe Crab

Changed little in over 500 million years!

Housefly

The fly has no teeth

Human

Thought to have orignated 200,000 years ago!

Huntsman Spider

Some huntsman spiders have an interesting way of moving around. Some cartwheel while others do handsprings or backflips.

Hyena

There are four different species!

Ibis

Found in swamps, marshes and wetlands!

Indian Cobra

One of the Big Four.

Indian Elephant

Found throughout south-east Asia!

Indian Giant Squirrel

Indian giant squirrels use their large tail to help them balance.

Indian Palm Squirrel

Natively found in parts of India and Sri Lanka!

Indian python

Kaa from Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book was an Indian Python.

Indian Rhinoceros

Also known as the one-horned rhino!

Indian Star Tortoise

Popular in the exotic pet trade!

Insects

There are an estimated 30 million species!

Jacana

The jacana has the ability to swim underwater

Jackal

Can maintain speeds of 16 km/h!

Jerboa

Tiny rodent with a kangaroo-like jump!

Jumping Spider

Some can jump 50 times the length of their bodies

Junglefowl

The term "pecking order" comes from junglefowls' hierarchies among both sexes

King Cobra

They are the longest venomous snake in the world.

Kingfisher

Inhabits wetlands and woodlands worldwide!

Krait

A painless bite that can result in death.

Ladybug

There are more than 5,000 species worldwide!

Leech

Has 10 pairs of eyes!

Leopard

Spends much of the time high in the trees!

Leopard Cat

There are 11 different species!

Leopard Gecko

The first ever domesticated lizard! There are now more than 100 unique color morphs thanks to selective breeding.

Liger

The offspring of a lion and tiger parents!

Lion

Lives in small groups called prides!

Lizard

There are around 5,000 different species!

Locust

Each locust can eat its weight in plants each day.

Long-Eared Owl

Ear tufts make it look bigger!

Long-Tailed Tit

Often hangs upside down while feeding!

Macaque

Macaque females will pass on their social rankings to their daughters

Magpie

They are found across Europe, Asia and Africa!

Mandarin Rat Snake

"This docile snake is a popular and long-lived pet - though challenging to care for - with a lifespan of up to 21 years!"

Markhor

Less than 2,500 left in the wild!

Masked Palm Civet

Found throughout Asia, India and China!

Mayfly

There are 2,500 known species worldwide!

Mealybug

They have a symbiotic relationship with ants.

Millipede

Some species have a poisonous bite!

Mole

Primarily hunts and feeds on Earthworms!

Mole Cricket

Adult Mole crickets may fly as far as 5 miles during mating season and are active most of the year.

Mongoose

Range in size from just 1 to 3 foot!

Mongrel

Has characteristics of two or more breeds!

Monitor Lizard

Some species are thought to carry a weak venom!

Monkey

There are around 260 known species!

Monocled Cobra

The monocled cobra is responsible for the highest fatality rate of any snake in all of Thailand.

Moorhen

Feeds on aquatic insects and water-spiders!

Mosquito

Only the female mosquito actually sucks blood

Moth

There are 250,000 different species!

Mouse

Found on every continent on Earth!

Mule

The offspring of a horse and donkey parents!

Muntjac

The muntjac is the smallest type of deer in the world

Myna Bird

For a nice price, the mynah bird makes a good pet.

Neanderthal

Roamed Asia and Europe for around 100,000 years!

Needlefish

no stomach to digest food

Newt

Able to regrow lost or damaged limbs!

Nightingale

Named more than 1,000 years ago!

Nilgai

Nilgai were hunted for their meat as far back as 8,000 years ago.

No See Ums

There are more than 5,000 species.

Orb Weaver

Females are about four times the size of males

Otter

There are 13 different species worldwide

Owl

The owl can rotate its head some 270 degrees

Ox
Pangolin

Bad eyesight, but great sense of smell

Paradise Flying Snake

Paradise Flying Snakes can glide over 100 yards!

Parakeet

Monk parakeets are the only parakeets that actually build nests. They’re also the only parakeets to nest in great colonies.

Parrot

Can live for up to 100 years!

Pea Puffer
Peacock

Most commonly found on the Indian mainland!

Peregrine Falcon

Fastest animal on Earth

Pheasant

Females lay between 8 and 12 eggs per clutch!

Pig

Thought to have been domesticated in 9,000 BC!

Pigeon

They can find their way back to their nests from up to 1300 miles away.

Pika

Found in mountainous regions and rocky areas

Pipe Snake

Some of these snakes flatten their neck and raise their heads to imitate cobras if they’re threatened.

Pit Viper

Pit vipers's fangs fold up into their mouths when they don't need them.

Pond Skater

There are 500 different species!

Porcupine

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Praying Mantis

The mantis can turn its head 180 degrees.

Quail

Inhabits woodland and forest areas worldwide!

Rabbit

There are more than 50 different species!

Rat

Omnivores that eat anything!

Rat Snakes

Rat snakes are constrictors from the Colubridae family of snakes.

Red-Headed Vulture

Not exclusively carrion eaters, these birds are also opportunistic hunters

Reticulated python

These popular pets can get big enough to kill their owner.

Rhinoceros

It's horns are made from keratin!

River Turtle

Inhabits freshwater habitats around the world!

Robin

There are more than 45 species in Australia alone!

Rodents

The capybara, the world’s largest rodent, likes to be in and around bodies of water. Because of this, the Catholic Church in South America decided that it was a fish, and people were allowed to eat it during Lent and First Fridays.

Rooster

Will mate with the entire flock!

Russel’s Viper

A Russel's viper strike is so forceful it can lift its entire body off the ground.

Sable Ferret

Ferrets were used during the Revolutionary War to keep down the rat population.

Salamander

There are more than 700 different species!

Sambar

Male sambars will compete for mates by clashing together with their antlers

Sand Crab

The sand crab burrows beneath the sand with its tail

Saw-scaled viper

This is the smallest venomous snake in India's Big Four.

Scorpion

There are around 2,000 known species!

Sea Eagle

The sea eagle tends to mate for life with a single partner

Seahorse

Males give birth to up to 1,000 offspring!

Sheep

Around 35 million in the English countryside!

Shrew

The spinal column of the shrew Scutisorex somereni is so strong and reinforced that it can support the weight of an adult human.

Shrimp

There are 2,000 different species worldwide!

Siberian Ibex

There’s a population of Siberian ibex in New Mexico

Skink Lizard

Some skinks lay eggs in some habitats while giving birth to skinklets in other habitats.

Slow Worm

Found widely throughout British gardens!

Slug

They glide around on one foot, which is aided by the slime they produce

Smokybrown Cockroach

Has up to 45 eggs per egg case

Snail

There are nearly 1,000 different species!

Snake

There are around 3,000 known species worldwide

Snow Leopard

Unlike other big cats, snow leopards don’t roar.

Sparrow

There are 140 different species!

Spider Wasp

They prey on spiders to feed their larvae or they parasitize other spider wasps.

Spotted Lanternfly

The spotted lanternfly is often confused for a moth, but it’s actually a type of planthopper

Squirrel

Small rodents found in woodlands worldwide!

Stick Insect

There are more than 3,000 different species!

Stoat

Average adults weigh about 200 grams!

Stork

They can’t sing like other birds.

Striped Hyena

The striped hyenas usually mark their territories with the help of the scent gland secretions from their anal pouch.

Swan

Populations have been affected by pollution!

Takin

The takin can leap some 6 feet through the air

Tarantula Hawk

Tarantula hawks are excellent pollinators, especially for milkweed.

Termite

Their mounds can be up to 9 meters tall!

Thrush

The American robin is called the robin because its red breast reminded European settlers of the robin back in the old country.

Tick

They inject hosts with a chemical that stops them from feeling the pain of the bite

Tiger

The largest feline in the world!

Tiger Beetle

The adult tiger beetle is one of the fastest land insects in the world

Tortoise

Can live until they are more than 150 years old!

Tree Frog

Found in warmer jungles and forests!

Tree Viper (Bamboo Viper)

Pit vipers can strike accurately at moving objects less than .5 degrees Farenheit warmer than the background.

Turtles

Some species of aquatic turtles can get up to 70 percent of their oxygen through their butt.

Vine Snake

A slender body and elongated snout give the vine snake a regal look.

Vinegaroon

Vinegaroons can spray 19 times before the glands are depleted

Viper

Vipers are one of the most widespread groups of snakes and inhabit most

Vulture

There are 30 different species worldwide!

Walking Catfish

The walking catfish can move on land while breathing air

Wasp

There are around 75,000 recognised species!

Water Buffalo

Has been domesticated for thousands of years!

Water Dragon

Spends most of it's time in the trees!

Weasel

The smallest carnivorous mammal in the world!

White Ferret / Albino Ferrets

There are two different types of white ferrets!

White-Tailed Eagle

It is one of the biggest birds of prey.

White Tiger

None have been seen in the wild for 50 years!

Wild Boar

Males have a top tusk to sharpen the bottom one!

Wolf

Thought to date back more than 300,000 years!

Wolf Spider

Carnivorous arachnid that hunts its prey.

Woodlouse

This animal can roll up into a ball

Woodlouse Spider

Unlike most spiders, woodlouse spiders don’t build a web.

Woodpecker

There are 200 different species!

Worm

Doesn’t have eyes.

Zebu

There are around 75 different species!

Indian Animals List

India FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Which animals are found in India?

India is particularly rich in deer and other hoofed animals, big cats, snakes, bats, monkeys, rodents, birds, insects, and freshwater fish.

What are the main animals in India?

The most well-known animals are perhaps the tiger, elephant, rhino, lion, peacock, snow leopard, and monkeys.

How many animals are in India?

India has approximately 2,500 species of fish, 200 amphibians, 400 reptiles, 400 mammals, and some 1,250 species of birds.

Which animal is banned in India?

India does ban people from owning or importing certain animals, including some species of monkeys, parakeets, parrots, tortoises, penguins, otters, manatees, and cetaceans.