Animals in India: A Simple (But Complete) Guide
For those fascinated by the world’s wildlife and would love nothing more than to get up close to some of planet Earth’s most incredible animals, a holiday to India is a perfect choice. India is home to so many majestic creatures, roaming wild in the most beautiful natural surroundings. To give you a taste of what to expect, and perhaps get you excited about a future trip to the country, this guide will introduce you to some of the animals that call India home and details of where you can find them.
What animals can you see in India?
Take a look at the below infographic to get a quick rundown of some of the most amazing animals in India and where you can look forward to spotting them. Then read on for some additional details and information.
Tigers
Type: Mammals
Diet: Carnivore
Average life span: 8 to 10 years
Size: 5 to 6 feet long
Weight: 140 to 220 kgs
Where to see Bengal tigers in India: Ranthambore National Park, Bandhavgarh National Park, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Pench National Park, Tadoba National Park, Jim Corbett National Park
India is home to nearly 3,000 tigers, with the Bengal tiger (India’s National Animal) being the dominant species in the country. The Bengal tiger is one of the biggest wildcats in existence and a sight that you won’t forget anytime soon. They are currently considered an endangered species and despite their fearsome reputation they tend to avoid humans. As a result, the opportunity to get a glimpse of a Bengal tiger on one of our amazing India tiger safari holidays is truly exciting.
Sandy and Vyjay, from the blog Voyager Travel Blog, have spent time in India seeing these amazing animals for themselves and spoke to us about the incredible experience: “There can be no better experience than seeing wild animals in the wild, and if it is tigers, the experience transcends to an altogether different level. India is the land of tigers and there are many tiger reserves where you stand a chance of a tiger sighting.
“When you are on a tiger safari, all your senses are geared towards that one glimpse of the regal tiger, but there is so much else too, like the landscapes which vary from reserve to reserve in India. Just travelling in pursuit of the elusive tigers, itself gives you an adrenaline rush. Listening to the call of the langurs and the birds as the tiger approaches, and seeing a herd of deer making a frantic, albeit graceful exit, is a wonderful experience. Our favourite tiger sighting has been in Ranthambore. It remains one of our favourite tiger reserves.”
Elephants
Type: Mammals
Diet: Herbivore
Average life span: Up to 60 years
Size: 6.6 to 9.8 feet tall
Weight: 2.25 to 5.5 tons
Where to see elephants in India: Jim Corbett National Park, Kaziranga National Park, Nagarhole National Park, Periyar National Park, Parambikulam Tiger Reserve
There are up to 30,000 elephants in India, with over half of Indian elephants found in the south of the country. Indian elephants are very intelligent, sociable, and expressive creatures. Elephants are the world’s largest land animals, with Indian (or Asian) elephants being notable for being slightly smaller than their African counterparts, also sporting smaller, rounded ears. These beautiful, endangered animals tend to live in India’s forested regions and are known as one of the smartest animals on earth.
One-horned rhinos
Type: Mammals
Diet: Herbivores
Average life span: 40 years
Size: 12.5 feet long and 6 feet tall
Weight: 2.2 tons
Where to see one-horned rhinos in India: Kaziranga National Park, Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, Manas National Park
The greater one-horned rhino, or Indian rhino, is a truly special creature that once had a precarious place among the world’s endangered species. The Indian one-horned rhino is the largest rhino species in the world and nearly became extinct before great conservation efforts brought their numbers up to around 3,700 Indian rhinos today. They are often found around water, wallowing when the sun is high, with 90% of one-horned rhinos being located in India’s Kaziranga National Park in Assam.
Leopards
Type: Mammal
Diet: Carnivore
Average life span: 12 to 17 years
Size: 3.5 feet to 4.8 feet long
Weight: 29 to 77 kgs
Where to see leopards in India: Bandhavgarh National Park, Satpura Tiger Reserve, Nagarhole National Park
There are around 12,000-14,000 leopards in India with Indian leopards being the most genetically diverse of all Asian leopards. Leopards are excellent climbers and rely on trees for cover, as a result, they love India’s forested habitats. A leopard’s spots are called rosettes as they resemble the shape of a rose and on Indian leopards, these rosettes are larger than other subspecies. They are classed as a vulnerable species in terms of conservation, sadly being a victim of poaching.
Asiatic lions
Type: Mammals
Diet: Carnivores
Average life span: 16 to 18 years
Size: 4.7 feet to 6.5 feet long
Weight: 110 to 190 kgs
Where to see Asiatic lions in India: Sasan Gir National Park in Gujarat
Sadly, there are only 600 Asiatic lions left in the entire world, with the species today only surviving in India. These amazing animals can only be found in the Gir Forest of India, in what is an area smaller than Greater London. Male Asiatic lions tend not to live with the females of their pride, unlike African lions, and they are also slightly smaller than their African counterparts. Having recovered from the brink of extinction, this endangered species is truly one of India’s greatest treasures.
What other animals can be found in India?
Beyond the animals listed above, there are a plethora of other amazing creatures that can be found in India. Some wonderful examples that you might be interested in looking out for include:
· Asiatic black bear
· Binturong (Asian bearcat)
· Red panda
· Golden langur
· Lion-tailed macaque
· Sloth bear
· Water buffalo
· Indian wild ass
· Nilgai (Asian antelope)
· Indian flying fox
· Chital (spotted dear)
· Bengal fox
· Striped hyena
· Gharial (crocodile)
· Indian Cobra
· Great hornbill
· Indian peafowl
Providing a taste of what travellers can expect, Lakshmi, from the Indian blog Travel with Lakshmi, has shared with us the variety of animals she has enjoyed seeing in India: “As a traveller, I don’t usually visit forests looking for any specific animal or bird. I like to experience the forest in all its glory. I am fascinated by the biodiversity and for me, an endemic frog or a lion-tailed macaque are as fascinating as tigers and elephants.
“Having said that, I was overwhelmed to see the one-horned rhino in Kaziranga National Park in Assam and the sloth bears at Daroji National Park in Karnataka. I am also interested in bird watching and while I don’t go with a specific wish list, my bird guide and I have gone searching for the nocturnal Sri Lankan Frogmouth in the forests around Thattekadu in Kerala.”
Where to see wildlife in India?
There is a wide range of brilliant locations in India where you can go to experience the country’s amazing wildlife first-hand. Many of these take the form of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries, which are protected areas where these majestic creatures can live in the wild. We have highlighted a few of these special locations below.
Ranthambore National Park
Located in Rajasthan in Northern India, Ranthambore National Park is a massive wildlife reserve. Ranthambore is renowned around the world for its tiger population, being one of the very best places in India to see Bengal tigers. You can also see the likes of leopards, sloth bears, and crocodiles. All in all, there are 40 species of mammals, 35 species of reptiles, and 320 species of birds living in Ranthambore.
Anna, from the travel blog, Would Be Traveller, has been to Ranthambore National Park herself and shared with us her favourite animal sighting:
“As a huge fan of big cats, the one animal I was most excited to see out in Ranthambore National Park was the tiger. And my sighting did not disappoint! After tracking a series of paw prints in the sand, our safari guide spotted a fleck of orange and black fur in the undergrowth. We couldn’t believe our luck when we realised it was a huge male tiger enjoying an afternoon snooze! We waited impatiently until the tiger stirred, stood, stretched and then treated us to a jaw-dropping view as he walked alongside our jeep. The sighting only lasted a few minutes but will stay with me forever.”
Anna also spoke about her love of India’s wildlife in general: “Other than the tiger, India is home to a huge variety of species, from elephants and sloth bears to langur monkeys and leopards. Now imagine spotting them against a backdrop of ruined forts, lush green forests and crystal blue lakes. It’s all possible here! India is simply stunning, making it just as worthy of a place on a wildlife lover’s bucket list as anywhere in Africa.”
If you want to visit Ranthambore National Park yourself, a tailor-made holiday to North India and Rajasthan would be an ideal option.
Kaziranga National Park
Kaziranga National Park is located in the northeast Indian state of Assam and is a truly special, protected area, spread across forests, wetlands, floodplains and grasslands. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is known for its beautiful one-horned rhinos – with two-thirds of the world’s population residing at Kaziranga. Across its 430 square kilometres, you can also find elephants, water buffalo, and an important birdlife population. As a result, a rhino tour, wildlife safari, or birdwatching trip are three great ways to experience the park.
David, from the travel blog David’s Been Here, has been to Kaziranga National Park and spoke to us about what he most enjoyed about visiting: “I think the thing I liked most about Kaziranga National Park is that it's a hidden gem in a somewhat isolated part of India. Northeast India is a gold mine for wildlife lovers, history enthusiasts, and foodies, but most people don't even know these states exist! Kaziranga National Park is such a beautiful, pristine place in Assam. It's absolutely gorgeous! I spent two days exploring the park and had the time of my life.
“The most special wildlife moment for me was seeing all the endangered one-horned rhinos, including some mums with their babies! I also loved the massive thali I ate in the park. It contained over 25 different dishes, including several I had never tried and have never had anywhere else! Seeing and meeting the woodcarvers, who make rhino figurines out of teak, was also amazing. I love supporting local artisans when I travel. I got the chance to do so many incredible things in the park, so it's hard to pick a favourite!”
If Kaziranga National Park sounds like it should be on your to-do list, arranging a tour with India travel experts is a great way to organise the most memorable experience possible.
Nagarhole National Park & Tiger Reserve
Situated in the south of India, in the state of Karnataka, Nagarhole National Park is yet another of the country’s breathtaking wildlife areas. Part national park, part tiger reserve, Nagarhole provides visitors with a range of incredible wildlife watching opportunities. Part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, the park, with its rich forests, valleys, streams and waterfalls, is an important habitat for tigers and elephants, as well as a home to leopards, sloth bears, antelope and many other sublime creatures.
Ranjana and Achal, from the travel blog Adrift Couple, have spent time at Nagarhole National Park and shared with us their thoughts about this wonderful location: “For us, the most enjoyable part of our visit to Nagarhole was the seven glorious minutes of watching a sleek and magnificent tigress majestically striding head-on, its sinews stretching powerfully with each approaching step. We were mesmerized and frozen by its beauty and splendour, wanting those moments to be etched in our memory for eternity.
“The park and the Kabini river are also home to a diversity of animals and birds which we were able to sight at leisure because of the very well-organised jeep safaris and cooperative and knowledgeable jungle guides.”
To visit Nargahole yourself, booking a South India and Kerala holiday will allow you to explore the park and see many other attractions and delights the region has to offer.
Where else can you find animals in India?
North India
In North India, there are a couple of other wonderful locations to experience the nation’s wildlife, and this includes Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand, a spot known for its Bengal tigers, as well as elephants, leopards and more. There is also Keoladeo National Park in Rajasthan, a massive bird sanctuary with some 360 species.
Central India
In Central India, there is a great wealth of wildlife parks to enjoy. You can visit Bandhavgarh, known for its Bengal tigers, Kanha Tiger Reserve, Pench National Park in Madhya Pradesh, and the rugged Satpura Tiger Reserve.
There is also Taboda National Park and Tiger Reserve, Sasan Gir National Park – the only home of Asiatic Lions in the world, and Bhitarkanika National Park in the east with its many rivers and large mangrove ecosystem. You can also visit Chilika Lake, a lagoon and bird sanctuary location.
South India
Periyar National Park in Kerala is another tiger reserve and home to a substantial elephant population and Parambikulam Tiger Reserve is one of India’s finest such locations, being another beautiful, protected area in Kerala. This southern state is also home to Thattekad Bird Sanctuary, thought of as the richest bird habitat in Peninsular India.
India’s amazing wildlife
If you want to experience India’s amazing wildlife yourself, and perhaps get a glimpse of something as majestic as a Bengal tiger, consider one of our tailor-made holidays to India. We can create a package and itinerary to your exact specifications, allowing you to visit different national parks and explore many more Indian delights.
For more tips, guides, and advice, make sure to visit our blog.