Apr 21, 2025
India is home to popular wildlife like tigers, elephants, leopards, and rhinos, but also holds lesser-known creatures like the Indian pangolin, flying squirrels, and over 1,300 bird species. The country supports nearly 7- 8% of all recorded animal species in the world.
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These special species are found among its forests, mountains, and coasts and are found nowhere else on Earth. From elegant antelopes to mysterious reptiles, here are 7 extraordinary wildlife species that exist only in India.
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Found in the Western Ghats, the Nilgiri Tahr is a mountain goat with curved horns and a thick, woolly coat. Once on the brink of extinction, conservation efforts have helped its population grow, though it remains endangered and elusive in the misty hills.
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This rare primate is known for its silver mane and lion-like tail. It is a native to the rainforests of the Western Ghats, and also one of the most endangered macaques in the world, It spends most of its life in treetops and rarely coming to the ground.
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The Sangai, or "dancing deer," lives only in Manipur’s Loktak Lake on floating biomass islands. With delicate steps and easily identifiable antlers, it’s a cultural symbol and a conservation priority due to its limited and fragile habitat.
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With a bloated body and pointed snout, this bizarre-looking frog spends most of its life underground. Found only in the Western Ghats, it surfaces briefly during the monsoon to breed. It was only discovered by science in 2003!
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A critically endangered and nearly extinct species, the Malabar Civet was found in Kerala's coastal forests. This nocturnal mammal has a bushy tail and strong scent glands. Recent sightings are rare, making it one of India’s most mysterious mammals.
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Shimmering in electric blue, this stunning spider is native to Andhra Pradesh. Arboreal and shy, it’s a favourite among people who love to keep exotic pets, though illegal trade and habitat loss have made it critically endangered in the wild.
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Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh, this rare gliding squirrel is known from just a single specimen. With a bright reddish coat and wing-like skin flaps, it remains a mysterious part of India’s dense northeastern forests, yet to be fully studied.
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