10 Wild Animals of Tamil Nadu – Nilgiri – Anamalai Reserve

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve area is located at the foothills of the famous Nilgiris hills or also known as Blue Mountains at the meeting point of two majestic mountain ranges the Western Ghats and the Eastern Ghats.

Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve includes many National parks and wildlife sanctuaries and also declared a Tiger Reserve. The reserve is home to fauna includes over 100 species of mammals, 350 species of birds, 80 species of reptiles, about 39 species of fish, 31 amphibians and 316 species of butterflies.

Top 10 Wild Animals of Tamil Nadu

Below is the list of wild animals found in Tamil Nadu -Indian Rock Python, Indian crested porcupine, toddy cat, Smooth-coated Otter and Indian grey mongoose are also found in the protected area of Tamil Nadu.

Indian Wild Dog – Dhole

Dhole Dog is a canid, highly social animal and living in large clans or packs. Tea estate of Nilgiri are best place to spot wild dog in Tamil Nadu.

Asian elephant (Elephas maximus)

Indian elephant is one of only three living species of elephants or elephantids anywhere in the world.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and adjacent areas host the largest Asian elephant population in India, estimated at 5,750 individuals in the wild.

Nilgiri Langur

Nilgiri Langur is one of the two endemic primates of the Western Ghats range and falls in the category of endangered due to deforestation and poaching.

Nilgiri Marten

Nilgiri marten is only species of marten found in the hills of the Nilgiris and parts of the Western Ghats. Nilgiri marten is an amazing animal endemic to the Western Ghats and one of the most elusive species of small carnivores.

Lion-tailed Macaque

Lion Tailed Macaque is endemic to the Indian rainforest of Western Ghats and Found in Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve of Tamil Nadu.

Silent Valley National Park is the core area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is home to the largest population of endangered species Lion-tailed Macaque and Malabar Giant Squirrel.

Four-Horned Antelope

The four-horned antelope or chousingha is a small antelope native to South India, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is good place to spot antelope along with other species of deer.

Indian Muntjac, Black Buck, Indian Spotted Chevrotain and Chital are few more species of deer and antelope found in Tamil Nadu.

Gaur (Bos gaurus) ! Albino Gaur in Anamalai

Gaur is the largest species among the wild cattle and the Bovidae found in the world and Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu constitute one of the most strongholds of Gaur in South India.

White Bison at Tamil Nadu – A white bison seen in the Manjampatti Valley and called Manjampatti white bison or Albino gaur.

Mudumalai National Park is one of the most famous national park in Tamil Nadu to spot Gaur along with Wayanad – Nagarhole – Mudumalai – Bandipur complex and protected area of south India.

Bengal Tiger ! White Tiger in Nilgiri Hills

Anamalai Tiger Reserve in the southern India is a biodiversity hub noted for its rich flora and fauna, particularly for health population of Bengal tigers.

White Tiger in Nilgiri Hills – Sightings of white tigers have been reported in the forests of the Nilgiris, A rare color variant of Bengal tigers in Nilgiri Hills.

Indian Leopard ! Black Panther in Nilgiri Hills

The Indian leopard is found within forested habitats in India’s tiger range landscapes. Eastern Ghats and Western Ghats are best place to spot melanistic leopard and spotted leopard in India.

Black Panther – The sightings of melanistic leopards or black panther were not uncommon in the Nilgiris. A black panther and a leopard together spotted in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu.

Nilgiri Tahr

Nilgiri tahr also known as Nilgiri Ibex is endemic to the Nilgiri Hills and some part of Western ghats of Kerala. Nilgiri Tahr is the state animal of Tamil Nadu and one of the most endangered species of ungulate in India.

Mukurthi National Park is situated western part of Nilgiris Plateau in the Western Ghats mountain range. Mukurthi National Park is the major protect area of ungulate The Nilgiri tahr,the state animal of Tamil Nadu.