Fauna
There is a high diversity of animal life in the sanctuary with about 50 species of fishes, 21 species of amphibians, 34 species of reptiles, 227 species of birds and 55 species of mammal.
Mammal diversity is higher in the dry deciduous and dry thorn forests than in the other habitats. Thirteen percent of all mammal species in India are present in Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary.
| Mammal species | found in India | in Mudumalai | and their percentage in MWS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Order | # species in India | # species in MWS | % in MWS |
| Primates | 15 | 3 | 20.00 |
| Even-toed ungulates (deer, gaur, pig) | 34 | 7 | 20.50 |
| Proboscidea (elephant) | 1 | 1 | 100 |
| Carnivora (tiger, leopard, sloth bear) | 58 | 19 | 32.70 |
| Pholidota (ant eater) | 1 | 1 | 100 |
| Lagomorpha (black-napped hare) | 11 | 1 | 9.09 |
| Insectivora (shrew) | 3 | 2 | 66.66 |
| Rodentia (rats, squirrel) | 102 | 14 | 13.73 |
| Chiroptera (bats) | 113 | 7 | 6.19 |
Of 15 cat species in India, 4 live in Mudumalai: Bengal tiger, Indian leopard, Jungle cat and Leopard cat.
Mudumalai Tiger Reserve has the highest density of tigers in the country. For every 8.67 km2, there is now at least one tiger in Mudumalai. There are 44 to 80 Tigers (E) in the Mudumalai forest. The single largest tiger population in India (Mudumalai - Nagarhole - Wynad) includes the Mudumalai tigers. These tigers are a breeding source for populating the Northern and Eastern parts of the Western Ghats. This population exists at high density due to the high density of prey species thriving in its deciduous forests.
The Indian leopard (P. pardus fusca) (NT) is most often seen in the Kargudi area. Other carnivores include the Dhole (Cuon alpinus) (V), the Striped Hyena (Hyaena hyaena) (NT), the Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) and the Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus) (V).
The population of Indian Elephants, Elephas maximus indicus (E), totals several hundred animals.
Three Primates found here include the Gray langur (Semnopithecus priam) and the Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata).
Important prey animals for tigers and panthers here are the Ungulates including the Gaur (Bos gaurus) (V), the Sambar Deer (Cervus unicolor) (VU), the Chital deer (Axis axis), Indian Muntjac (Muntiacus muntjak), the Indian Spotted Chevrotain, Moschiola indica, and the Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), all of whom are common here.
Rodents include the Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica maxima) and the Red Giant Flying Squirrel (Petaurista petaurista).
Some reptiles found here are the Python, Flying Lizard, Spectacled Cobra, Krait and Asian Pit Vipers. Monitor Lizard is the most regularly observed species.
-
Working elephant near bamboo thicket at Moyer River
-
Alpha male Langur
-
Warning: Beware of Crocodile at Moyer River!
Read more about this topic: Mudumalai National Park
Famous quotes containing the word fauna:
“The whole fauna of human fantasies, their marine vegetation, drifts and luxuriates in the dimly lit zones of human activity, as though plaiting thick tresses of darkness. Here, too, appear the lighthouses of the mind, with their outward resemblance to less pure symbols. The gateway to mystery swings open at the touch of human weakness and we have entered the realms of darkness. One false step, one slurred syllable together reveal a man’s thoughts.”
—Louis Aragon (1897–1982)