Species

All you need to know about creatures large and small
327 Species
Oriental Magpie-robin: The Tropical Maestro
Species
Oriental Magpie-robin: The Tropical Maestro
Ranjit Lal
Male magpie-robins have a variety of calls and songs and may even imitate notes from other birds. They are most vocal during the breeding season, when they also strut, chest-puff, flare their tail, and fiercely guard their territories
Nature’s Artists: The World of Potter Wasps
Species
Nature’s Artists: The World of Potter Wasps
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Potter wasps exhibit remarkable nesting plasticity, adapting to various environments and utilising different materials to create secure spaces for their offspring
Mantis Shrimp: Eye-popping Predators of Reefs and Seagrass Meadows
Species
Mantis Shrimp: Eye-popping Predators of Reefs and Seagrass Meadows
Evan Nazareth
With superhero-like vision and strength and lightning-fast movements, mantis shrimp are formidable marine predators
Dashing Damselflies: Aerialists in an Arthropod Circus
Species
Dashing Damselflies: Aerialists in an Arthropod Circus
Smriti Mahesh
In the fascinating world of damselflies, discover elaborate courtship displays, accessory genitalia, cannibalism, and even a unique lock-and-key mechanism that prevents cross-mating among related species
Bengal Fox: Resilient Canid of Indian Grasslands
Species
Bengal Fox: Resilient Canid of Indian Grasslands
Malaika Mathew Chawla
Although confined to small, fragmented savanna patches, foxes persist in some grasslands in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district
Ibisbill in Kashmir: Where Boulders Have Wings
Species
Ibisbill in Kashmir: Where Boulders Have Wings
Pranav Capila
Though widespread in other higher regions of Asia, the ibisbill is found only in a few specialised riverine habitats in India, and these are, unfortunately, under significant threat from mining and other human activities
Beetles: Tiny Titans of Pollination
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Beetles: Tiny Titans of Pollination
Arathi Menon
Mongabay
Beetles’ role in pollination is largely unknown though they are globally recognised as early pollinators of primitive flowering plants
Spider Wasps: Solitary Hunters in our Backyards
Species
Spider Wasps: Solitary Hunters in our Backyards
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
Known for their size, striking colour, and ability to sting and paralyse their prey, these skilled hunters specialise in capturing spiders to nourish their offspring
Barn Owls: Caught in the Urban Rat Race
Species
Barn Owls: Caught in the Urban Rat Race
Debangini Ray
Let’s safeguard this apex predator that shares space with us in various landscapes, especially in our cities
Finding Nori: Journey into the Underwater World of Seaweeds
Species
Finding Nori: Journey into the Underwater World of Seaweeds
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Nearly all marine life depends on the existence of algae (which are all seaweeds), ranging from microscopic phytoplankton to relatively large macroalgae
Charles Darwin’s Frog: Tree-nester in the Andaman Islands
Species
Charles Darwin’s Frog: Tree-nester in the Andaman Islands
R S Naveen
Although it lives on the forest floor, this endemic frog has adapted to nest and breed in tree holes. But its future is threatened by the loss of tree cover
Quest for the Himalayan Giant Honey Bee
Species
Quest for the Himalayan Giant Honey Bee
Femi Ezhuthupallickal Benny
The Naga people have mastered the delicate art of braving treacherous cliffs to harvest the honey of Apis laboriosa bees
Guitarfish: The Threatened Coastal Cruisers of South Goa
Species
Guitarfish: The Threatened Coastal Cruisers of South Goa
Trisha Gupta
Guitarfish spend most of their time buried and concealed on the seafloor, where these fast movers feed on fish, crabs, prawns and other tiny organisms
Fireflies: Bioluminescent Beauties Light Up the Trees
Species
Fireflies: Bioluminescent Beauties Light Up the Trees
Sri Ranjni Swaminathan
Will the neon lights dancing across dark landscapes continue to bedazzle us? Or are these shimmering beetles doomed to disappear from our world?
Marbled Cat: Master of Stealth in the Treetops
Species
Marbled Cat: Master of Stealth in the Treetops
Bikash Kumar Bhattacharya
Jyotirmoy Saharia
The forests of Northeastern India harbour the perfect habitat for an elusive small cat species that lives partly in the canopy
Modern Family: Observing a Rusty-Spotted Cat Clan in Rajasthan
Species
Modern Family: Observing a Rusty-Spotted Cat Clan in Rajasthan
Megha Moorthy
Dhritiman Mukherjee
Seemingly unafraid of humans, the smallest wildcat species in the world has adapted to live alongside us in the fields and plantations of the Indian subcontinent
Bryozoans: Moss Animals of the Tidepools
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Bryozoans: Moss Animals of the Tidepools
Mahi Mankeshwar
On rocky shores, bryozoans grow, like moss, as small, colourful mats of millions of tiny organisms called zooids, fused and living together as one
Munsiyari’s Omnipresent Alpine Accentors and Their Love Lives
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Munsiyari’s Omnipresent Alpine Accentors and Their Love Lives
Samuel John
These stout little birds migrate to lower altitudes in the non-breeding season and are visible everywhere. Their breeding rituals and accompanying songs take place in the summer in the quieter higher reaches of the Himalayas
Roosters on the Run: Red and Grey Junglefowl
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Roosters on the Run: Red and Grey Junglefowl
Ranjit Lal
Their wariness of humans is understandable, given that it was their ancestors we domesticated and built a multi-billion dollar poultry industry around
Tenacious Triggerfish: The Territorial Reef Residents
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Tenacious Triggerfish: The Territorial Reef Residents
Phalguni Ranjan
Though they have a well-deserved reputation for being aggressive and protective of their territory, these colourful fish also play a key role in the marine ecosystem
Luck of the Draw: Spotting Asiatic Lions in Gir
Species
Luck of the Draw: Spotting Asiatic Lions in Gir
Manan Dhuldhoya
Vipul Ramanuj
To see lions on safari is good luck, but sometimes Gir lets you strike the jackpot
An Ode to Sponges
Species
An Ode to Sponges
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Ancient marine animals that are food on the sea floor, sponges thrive in a variety of environments. Depending on the species, sponges can be predators, competitors, symbionts, or prey
Snow Pigeons: A Dash of White
Species
Snow Pigeons: A Dash of White
Samuel John
Though they appear somewhat similar in appearance to their city cousins, snow pigeons live in very different high-altitude, snowy alpine habitats
A Day in the Life of a Madras Hedgehog
Species
A Day in the Life of a Madras Hedgehog
R. Brawin Kumar
Abinesh Muthaiyan
Native to South India, this spiky, endearing creature forages quietly in the leaf litter in semi-arid grasslands — habitats that are under grave threat and need to be protected
Cormorants: Hung Out to Dry
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Cormorants: Hung Out to Dry
Ranjit Lal
Efficient fishers, these easy-to-spot birds dive and swim underwater to hunt for fish, after which they spread their waterlogged wings to dry
Sorting Hat Spider: Silky Mandalas and Disappearing acts
Species
Sorting Hat Spider: Silky Mandalas and Disappearing acts
Samuel John
Spend time in nature and observe this tiny orb-weaving spider’s magical world of agility, camouflage, and venom
Indian Swiftlet: The Best Kept Secret of Vengurla Rocks
Species
Indian Swiftlet: The Best Kept Secret of Vengurla Rocks
Dr Manchi Shirish S.
Dhanusha Kawalkar
Swiftlets have adapted quite stunningly to live inside dark underground habitats using echolocation. On Burnt Island, Indian swiftlets are an integral part of the cave ecosystem
Watching Vultures Around Munsiyari
Species
Watching Vultures Around Munsiyari
Samuel John
Encounters with the majestic Himalayan griffon and the bone-swallowing bearded vulture in a quaint, high-altitude town in Uttarakhand
Parrotfish: Rainbows in the Reef
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Parrotfish: Rainbows in the Reef
Phalguni Ranjan
Colourful, sex-changing, sand-pooping fish that feed on algae and keep coral reefs healthy
Plain Mountain Finches in Sleet and Snow
Species
Plain Mountain Finches in Sleet and Snow
Samuel John
Flocking in the hundreds and flying in tightly packed formations, these tiny birds can be observed even in peak wintry weather in Uttarakhand
The Forgotten Tale of Black-Bellied Sandgrouse
Species
The Forgotten Tale of Black-Bellied Sandgrouse
Saloni Sawant
An extraordinary number of sandgrouse would visit the princely state of Bikaner, Rajasthan for over half a century from the 1890s, offering the maharaja bragging rights and the British elite, thrilling shooting opportunities
Marine Flatworms: Magic Carpets of the Seas
Species
Marine Flatworms: Magic Carpets of the Seas
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Cryptic in their habits and artistic in their movement, the most intriguing aspect of marine flatworms is their mode of reproduction
High as a Kite: Maestros of Indian Skies
Species
High as a Kite: Maestros of Indian Skies
Ranjit Lal
Deft, daring, and dashing, the four kite species found in India are a delight to watch as they circle our skies and hunt and forage for their next meal
Poop, Prints and Paintings: Tracing the Tamiraparani’s Otters
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Poop, Prints and Paintings: Tracing the Tamiraparani’s Otters
Smriti Mahesh
Despite pollution and the significant changes Tamil Nadu’s Tamiraparani River has undergone over the years, there is evidence that it still hosts a bevy of these elusive social creatures
The Breathtaking Blues of the Raucous Indian Roller
Species
The Breathtaking Blues of the Raucous Indian Roller
Ranjit Lal
Spot an Indian roller’s spectacular display as it executes a series of turns and twists, somersaulting, looping, and calling out loudly — a rock ‘n’ roll performance in every way
Barbets of India: Send in the Clowns
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Barbets of India: Send in the Clowns
Ranjit Lal
Nine species of this bird family are found in India, several with vibrant crimson, yellow, and black heads and large soulful eyes
Chirp, Twitter, Tweet: The Wide Vocabulary of Jungle Babblers
Species
Chirp, Twitter, Tweet: The Wide Vocabulary of Jungle Babblers
Smriti Mahesh
These social birds, with a range of coordinated behaviours including group foraging, movement, and brood care, have a repertoire of calls to communicate with each other
Sea Urchins: Hedgehogs of the Ocean
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Sea Urchins: Hedgehogs of the Ocean
Phalguni Ranjan
Extremely resilient and adaptable creatures of the sea, sea urchins have been around for over 450 million years and continue to thrive in all the world’s oceans
Common Picturewing: The Flying Floral Carpet
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Common Picturewing: The Flying Floral Carpet
Vivek Chandran A
Can this lovely black-and-yellow skimmer become a mascot for the conservation of insects and our planet?
Love is in the Air: Indian Bullfrogs and the Romance of the Monsoon
Species
Love is in the Air: Indian Bullfrogs and the Romance of the Monsoon
André Morris
Cacophony and bright yellow suits are the dominant love language of bullfrogs that congregate to mate in the rain pools and ponds of the Western Ghats at the start of the monsoon
Little Grebe: Artwork of Evolution
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Little Grebe: Artwork of Evolution
Dr Asad Rahmani
Look for this pretty, petite, diving waterbird in open wetlands, where it swims and paddles among reeds and other vegetation and hunts for food underwater
Indian Desert Jird: Tiny Musketeer of Rajasthan’s Thar Desert
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Indian Desert Jird: Tiny Musketeer of Rajasthan’s Thar Desert
Saloni Sawant
With numerous survival strategies and tricks up its furry sleeves, the Indian desert jird has adapted to live in one of the most hostile ecosystems on the planet
Where the Bank Myna Sings
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Where the Bank Myna Sings
Dhritiman Mukherjee
Dr Asad Rahmani
Bank mynas roost, nest and live in noisy flocks. These gregarious birds quite like to chatter, and don’t shy away from the occasional skirmish or quarrel with their own and other species
Purple Frog: A Brief Interlude from a Secret Life Underground
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Purple Frog: A Brief Interlude from a Secret Life Underground
Sandeep Das
A subterranean burrowing life, bizarre body morphology, and unique breeding behaviour make the purple frog an intriguing and important amphibian to be studied and conserved
Forest Owlet: Resurrected but Endangered
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Forest Owlet: Resurrected but Endangered
Anita Rao-Kashi
With an interesting history of “extinction” and rediscovery, the endemic forest owlet perches on the brink of disappearing
White-winged Wood Duck: An Icon of Forest Pools
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White-winged Wood Duck: An Icon of Forest Pools
Dr Asad Rahmani
Dhritiman Mukherjee
Unlike most ducks that inhabit open wetlands and marshes, the white-winged wood duck favours small shallow pools in thick tropical lowland forests. As their favoured habitat disappears around the world, these birds have become “Endangered”
Jeypore Ground Gecko: Hidden in the Mountains
Species
Jeypore Ground Gecko: Hidden in the Mountains
Ishan Agarwal
Tracking a ground-dwelling, bent-toed endangered gecko species through its shrinking habitats in the flat-topped hills in the northern Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha
Shieldtails: Hidden Beauties of the Underground
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Shieldtails: Hidden Beauties of the Underground
Peeyush Sekhsaria
Various species of this unique family of ancient, nonvenomous snakes are found only in narrow pockets of peninsular India (and Sri Lanka) where they are endemic
In Search of the Elusive Indian Desert Cat
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In Search of the Elusive Indian Desert Cat
Saloni Sawant
The desert cat, which appears like a small domestic cat, is a wild feline that stands out for its ability to thrive in one of the most challenging habitats in India — the Thar Desert
Rajasthan Toad-headed Agama: Master of the Shifting Sands
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Rajasthan Toad-headed Agama: Master of the Shifting Sands
Ishan Agarwal
Of evolutionary significance for conservation, this small agama is found occupying sand dunes that have almost no vegetation, only in a few localities of Jaisalmer District
The Indian Grey Mongoose: The Cobra’s Nemesis
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The Indian Grey Mongoose: The Cobra’s Nemesis
Ranjit Lal
Even the venomous cobra is no match for the mongoose, a testy mammal with an appetite for a variety of small and medium-sized creatures
Termites: Architects, Farmers, Ecosystem Engineers (and Pests)
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Termites: Architects, Farmers, Ecosystem Engineers (and Pests)
Radhika Raj
Termites are both a boon and bane to our environment — and there’s a lot about the lives of these tiny creatures that are a complete mystery
Storks: Birds with Broadsword Bills
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Storks: Birds with Broadsword Bills
Ranjit Lal
Eight species of these large, long-legged wading birds are familiar sights in different parts of India
Bejewelled: On the Trail of the Himalayan Monal in Uttarakhand
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Bejewelled: On the Trail of the Himalayan Monal in Uttarakhand
Samuel John
Iridescent males are striking and unmissable, while females come dressed in browns and patterns that blend seamlessly with the landscape, allowing them to evade predators by remaining inconspicuous
Cranes: Trumpeters of the Skies
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Cranes: Trumpeters of the Skies
Ranjit Lal
Catch sight of these tall, long-necked birds dancing in paddy fields or declaring their everlasting love for one another
Oriental Garden Lizards: Quick Learners or Bloodsuckers?
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Oriental Garden Lizards: Quick Learners or Bloodsuckers?
Deyatima Ghosh
Enhanced vision and the ability to recognise colours and make associations allows these reptiles to benefit us as bioregulators of crop pests
Sky Skaters: Sally Forth with Vibrant Bee-eaters
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Sky Skaters: Sally Forth with Vibrant Bee-eaters
Ranjit Lal
Multi-coloured bee-eaters are a delight to watch as they skate and pirouette in the skies on triangular pointed wings, snapping up a bee or wasp in-flight before returning to their perch to devour it
Chitons: Primitive Inhabitants of Today’s Seashores
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Chitons: Primitive Inhabitants of Today’s Seashores
Phalguni Ranjan
Chitons predate the first dinosaurs by more than 150 million years and have survived multiple mass extinction events
The True Tree World of Golden Langurs
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The True Tree World of Golden Langurs
Neha Sinha
Living in the canopy their whole lives and rarely coming down to the ground, this species of Old-World monkey find pockets of peace in the arboreal world of their small geographical range in Assam
Pretty Cochoas: Sparking Joy in the Himalayas
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Pretty Cochoas: Sparking Joy in the Himalayas
Sutirtha Lahiri
They may camouflage in the canopy, but their simple, single-note call is magical and tells the astute birder that these lovely birds are in the vicinity
Choughs: Gurus of the Mountain Skies
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Choughs: Gurus of the Mountain Skies
Dr Asad Rahmani
Clever and social, choughs live in a wide altitudinal range in the Indian Himalayas and beyond. These birds are adaptable and occupy different habitats, and have a varied diet
Decoding the Wheatears of India
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Decoding the Wheatears of India
Adithi Muralidhar
Ashwin Mohan
Protected areas like the Desert National Park in Rajasthan host seven of the nine species of these birds found in India
By the Flock: Decline of the Yellow-breasted Bunting
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By the Flock: Decline of the Yellow-breasted Bunting
Dr Asad Rahmani
Pushed to the brink of extinction in China, these visitors to eastern India once came by in large flocks. Worldwide conservation measures are needed to help the species survive
What Lies Beneath: Rough-scaled Sand Boa
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What Lies Beneath: Rough-scaled Sand Boa
Gerry Martin
Also called the common sand boa, these non-venomous burrowing snakes are built for life underground, from where they can easily ambush small-sized prey
Jackdaw: Menacing-Looking Affable Crows
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Jackdaw: Menacing-Looking Affable Crows
Dr Asad Rahmani
These small corvids, with conspicuous white eyes, are social creatures that live and forage in flocks
Butterflyfish in a Coral Garden
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Butterflyfish in a Coral Garden
Phalguni Ranjan
Vardhan Patankar
In warm, tropical seas, these brightly coloured and intricately patterned fish are well adapted to eat coral and to defend themselves against predators
Boxfish: An Evolutionary Guide to Self-preservation
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Boxfish: An Evolutionary Guide to Self-preservation
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Umeed Mistry
Boxfishes have a fully loaded arsenal of defences against predators, including an armour and lethal poisons
Bulbuls: Play on Merry Minstrels
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Bulbuls: Play on Merry Minstrels
Ranjit Lal
With expressive faces and a song in their heart, various species of these cheerful entertainers are found in different parts of the country
The Wild Yak: Treasure of the High Plateaus
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The Wild Yak: Treasure of the High Plateaus
Dr Asad Rahmani
Wild yaks are hardy creatures that live at high altitudes and are comfortable in freezing weather. They are rarely seen, as less than 15,000 remain in the world
Playing Hide and Seek with the Saw-Scaled Viper in Goa
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Playing Hide and Seek with the Saw-Scaled Viper in Goa
Malavika Bhattacharya
In the laterite plateaus of the Western Ghats, one of India’s most venomous snakes, the saw-scaled viper, finds a safe habitat
Swimming Amongst Fossils: What Sponges Tell Us About the World
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Swimming Amongst Fossils: What Sponges Tell Us About the World
Shreya Yadav
Dhritiman Mukherjee
These ancient animals have been an essential part of healthy reef ecosystems for millions of years
Peafowl Tales: Flamboyant Trains and Screeching Calls
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Peafowl Tales: Flamboyant Trains and Screeching Calls
Ranjit Lal
The raucous bird with its magnificent iridescent cloak is an efficient watchdog, letting out a high-pitched screech to warn other jungle creatures of impending danger
Trinket Snakes and Their Treasured Personal Space
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Trinket Snakes and Their Treasured Personal Space
Gerry Martin
Though these nocturnal beauties are non-venomous, when threatened, they may rise menacingly and strike
Dwindling Dugongs: Meandering Trails in Seagrass Meadows
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Dwindling Dugongs: Meandering Trails in Seagrass Meadows
Elrika D’Souza
Exploring the world and habits of the tiny population of dugongs remaining in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Cosy Colonies of Wondrous, Wily Weavers
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Cosy Colonies of Wondrous, Wily Weavers
Ranjit Lal
When you see their lovely woven straw-coloured nests hanging from trees, look out for these sparrow-sized weaverbirds that live and breed in them
Gooseneck Barnacles: Rare Delicacy or Dinosaur Feet?
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Gooseneck Barnacles: Rare Delicacy or Dinosaur Feet?
Phalguni Ranjan
Clusters of this small, strange-looking crustacean anchor to hard surfaces in the intertidal zone and are difficult to harvest. In some European countries, they are considered an expensive gourmet treat
Beauty or Beast? The Lionfish Conundrum
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Beauty or Beast? The Lionfish Conundrum
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Lionfish leave some spellbound while others loathe them. A brief story of these expert ambush predators that have spread from their native homes in the Indo-Pacific to the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, creating a lionfish invasion crisis
Fantastic Falcons: Streamlined, Superfast Raptors in Many Avatars
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Fantastic Falcons: Streamlined, Superfast Raptors in Many Avatars
Ranjit Lal
Around 15 species of resident and migratory falcons are found in India. Among them, the powerful peregrine (which can clock 390 kmph) holds the world speed record as the fastest-moving living creature
Hawk Assault: Agile Hunters on a Wing
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Hawk Assault: Agile Hunters on a Wing
Ranjit Lal
Shikras and goshawks are small woodland hawks (no larger than crows), but don’t let that fool you into underestimating their hunting prowess as they grab birds, reptiles, insects, and small mammals with lightning speed
Loud and Clear: Bullfrogs of India
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Loud and Clear: Bullfrogs of India
Dr. Seshadri KS
India’s largest frogs are two species of bullfrogs: the Indian bullfrog and Jerdon’s bullfrog. They live in freshwater habitats, including waterlogged paddy fields, all over the country.
Asian Glass Lizard: Jewel-toned Enigma from the Northeast
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Asian Glass Lizard: Jewel-toned Enigma from the Northeast
Gerry Martin
The incredibly biodiverse forests of Arunachal Pradesh harbour unique and colourful creatures like this legless anguid (which is often mistaken for a snake)
Ornate Flying Snake: Nature’s Gliding Jewel
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Ornate Flying Snake: Nature’s Gliding Jewel
Gerry Martin
These pretty creatures have adapted to live high up in the canopy of forests. With a sharp ridge that helps them grip tree trunks to the ability to glide fluidly in the air and land on the ground, these are true marvels of nature
Mynas and Starlings: Birds With Attitude
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Mynas and Starlings: Birds With Attitude
Ranjit Lal
Mynas and starlings are gregarious, chatty birds with big personalities. They are agricultural pest control agents in some areas and considered “invasive” species in others
Getting to Know You: Diving Into the Amazing World of Sharks
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Getting to Know You: Diving Into the Amazing World of Sharks
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Though sharks have adapted to suit the challenges of diverse habitats, many populations of this apex predator are now face severe decline globally
Hide and Seek: The Water Drop Frog of the Western Ghats
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Hide and Seek: The Water Drop Frog of the Western Ghats
Catherene Christian
Vipul Ramanuj
Few have seen this rare, perfectly camouflaged amphibian that lives high in the rainforest canopy and has a very unique call
Pigeons and Doves: Lovey-Dovey and Very Savvy
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Pigeons and Doves: Lovey-Dovey and Very Savvy
Ranjit Lal
Known historically for their superior navigational abilities, and more recently as urban pests, this family of birds is actually highly intelligent, fast, and adaptable. And, despite their simplistic house-building skills, they make great parents
Bright and Bristly: Christmas Tree Worms and Their Festive Whorls
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Bright and Bristly: Christmas Tree Worms and Their Festive Whorls
Phalguni Ranjan
These fascinating marine creatures with spiralling plumes gently waving with the ocean’s currents live exclusively within the protection of calcareous tubes they build in corals
Playful Parakeets: Green Chilli-shaped Missiles of Entertainment
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Playful Parakeets: Green Chilli-shaped Missiles of Entertainment
Ranjit Lal
It’s fun to watch flocks of parakeets streaking across the sky, screaming, showing off myriad shades of green — but best of all it’s a joy to spot them canoodling or caring for their young
Back from the Brink: Saltwater Crocodiles in Bhitarkanika
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Back from the Brink: Saltwater Crocodiles in Bhitarkanika
Malavika Bhattacharya
Aditya Panda
In the 1970s, the saltwater crocodiles of Bhitarkanika were on the edge of extinction, until a focused conservation effort revived their population in the mangroves
Hermit Crabs: Mobile Home in a Snail Shell
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Hermit Crabs: Mobile Home in a Snail Shell
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
To stay safe, these asymmetrical crabs spend their lives looking for a shell that is roomy enough to house their entire body. Finding such a home is a complex process and involves both negotiation and competition
The Babblers Five: Soul Sisters and Charming Angry Birds
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The Babblers Five: Soul Sisters and Charming Angry Birds
Ranjit Lal
They may look dull but don’t underestimate the cooperative flock strength and fiery personalities of these noisy gangs of birds
The Blessed Bears of Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
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The Blessed Bears of Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary
Neha Sumitran
Near the famous rock temples of Hampi, the boulder-strewn landscape is a protected haven that helps preserve these magnificent animals
Shillong Bush Frog: Ticking its Way Through the Monsoon
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Shillong Bush Frog: Ticking its Way Through the Monsoon
Nishanth Srinivas
This endemic frog with a narrow distribution range shares space with humans in the city it is named after
Is the Jerdon’s Courser Extinct?
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Is the Jerdon’s Courser Extinct?
Dr Asad Rahmani
Lost, found, and lost again — the long story of an elusive nocturnal bird that has only been seen in a few restricted areas of scrub jungle near Cuddappah (Kadapa), Andhra Pradesh
Hoot and Screech: From Giant Owls to Little Elves
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Hoot and Screech: From Giant Owls to Little Elves
Ranjit Lal
These mysterious raptors come in all sizes. Observing them may display not just their clever hunting skills but also a soft, romantic side
Hawkfish Hues: Of Underwater Hunts and Hairy Spines
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Hawkfish Hues: Of Underwater Hunts and Hairy Spines
Phalguni Ranjan
Hawkfishes are ambush reef predators and, like their bird counterparts, perch on an elevated surface like coral or rock to observe prey before diving in for the kill
Edible-nest Swiftlet: Little Bird with an Expensive Nest
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Edible-nest Swiftlet: Little Bird with an Expensive Nest
Dr Asad Rahmani
In deep caves on Interview Island in the Andamans, a tiny bird survives the long arm of poachers and others hungry for its nest
Ominous Owls: Sharp-eyed Hunters of the Night
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Ominous Owls: Sharp-eyed Hunters of the Night
Ranjit Lal
Owls possess high-tech killing equipment, from sharp, down-curving beaks to grappling iron talons. Camouflaged feathers, superb eyesight, silent flight, and the ability to swivel their heads 270 degrees only adds to the heady mix
Sparrows: Fall of the Little Birds
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Sparrows: Fall of the Little Birds
Ranjit Lal
An avid birder describes some close encounters with the once abundant but now dwindling species
Himalayan Monal: Monarch of the High Mountains
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Himalayan Monal: Monarch of the High Mountains
Dr Asad Rahmani
Dressed in royal plumage this iridescent male pheasant sports colours of the rainbow. The species lives in several protected areas of the Himalayas in India and among its neighbours
Skylords: View from the Eagles’ Eyrie
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Skylords: View from the Eagles’ Eyrie
Ranjit Lal
Eagles are known for their speed, power, and ruthlessness. They will target their victims from afar with the help of highly developed vision and then ambush them from the sky
A Fine Balance: Irrawaddy Dolphins in Chilika Lake
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A Fine Balance: Irrawaddy Dolphins in Chilika Lake
Malavika Bhattacharya
Elusive and endangered, the Irrawaddy dolphin inhabits a delicate ecosystem in coastal Odisha
Walking with Mudskippers: A Fish That’s Happy Out of Water
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Walking with Mudskippers: A Fish That’s Happy Out of Water
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Large googly eyes and a pair of pectoral fins that work like front legs are only two of the multi-faceted adaptations these finger-sized fish have made to survive in two completely different realms
Eurasian Spoonbills: The Moody Minesweepers
Species
Eurasian Spoonbills: The Moody Minesweepers
Ranjit Lal
These tall waterbirds alternate long periods of standing around doing nothing with brisk fishing expeditions. They are elegant, snow-white marsh birds with long, soup-ladle bills, but when they get annoyed, they’re a riot
Wandering Glider: World Traveller and Weather Vane
Species
Wandering Glider: World Traveller and Weather Vane
M Yuvan
Globe skimmers or wandering gliders migrate vast distances across oceans and continents, riding the extremities of weather systems as they hitch from one place to another
The Grandala: Flying Blue Gem of the Himalayas
Species
The Grandala: Flying Blue Gem of the Himalayas
Dr Asad Rahmani
Large restless flocks of these dazzling blue birds, with their jovial habits, are a sight to behold in Sikkim and other parts of the north in winter
White-throated Brown Hornbills: Cackling in Assam’s Lowland Rainforests
Species
White-throated Brown Hornbills: Cackling in Assam’s Lowland Rainforests
Abir Jain
The most threatened of all hornbills in India that stays in flocks and have a unique cooperative breeding system
Smaller Herons and Egrets: Hunchbacks and Those Lovely in Lace
Species
Smaller Herons and Egrets: Hunchbacks and Those Lovely in Lace
Ranjit Lal
Abhishek Das
With razor-sharp bills and long legs, these pretty wading birds are usually stationed at the edge of waterbodies, ready to catch fish, frogs, and other aquatic animals
Great Barracuda: Shiny and Scary but Surprisingly Shy
Species
Great Barracuda: Shiny and Scary but Surprisingly Shy
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
The great barracuda evokes both fear and fascination. It is lightning fast when catching prey but otherwise lives a life of quiet composure within the deep blue
Seeking the Satyr Tragopan Along a Mountain Road
Species
Seeking the Satyr Tragopan Along a Mountain Road
Anirudh Nair
Sighting this threatened, elusive pheasant of the Himalayas requires persistence; but it’s patience well rewarded
The Corvid Mafiosi: Intelligentsia of the Bird World
Species
The Corvid Mafiosi: Intelligentsia of the Bird World
Ranjit Lal
This family of birds has a reputation for high intelligence, thievery, murder, cunning — and having a good time
Huntsman Spider: Apex Predator in a Microhabitat
Species
Huntsman Spider: Apex Predator in a Microhabitat
Samuel John
Fast, gravity-defying, and adaptable, these impressive spiders are super stalkers that take camouflage to surreal levels
Playing Hide and Seek with the Nicobar Megapode
Species
Playing Hide and Seek with the Nicobar Megapode
Radhika Raj
Dhritiman Mukherjee
It took three weeks, thirteen attempts, eight hides, and trips to three different coasts of the Nicobar Islands to catch a fleeting glimpse of the elusive Nicobar megapode
Big Herons: Those Grouchy old Fishermen
Species
Big Herons: Those Grouchy old Fishermen
Ranjit Lal
Armed with a S-shaped neck and dagger-like bill, these herons are accomplished fishers
Nicobar Treeshrew: Squeaking Spy and Forest Alarmist
Species
Nicobar Treeshrew: Squeaking Spy and Forest Alarmist
Radhika Raj
Dhritiman Mukherjee
The Nicobar treeshrew is almost everywhere on Great Nicobar island. It settles in the canopy and, every so often, sounds a shrieking alarm call
Red Panda: Under the Radar in Singalila
Species
Red Panda: Under the Radar in Singalila
Anirudh Nair
Sourav Mondal
This cute, furry animal is an endangered species and a conservation icon in waiting
Wild and Free: Where the Rock Bees Roam
Species
Wild and Free: Where the Rock Bees Roam
Rajani Mani
These wild honeybees, called Apis dorsata, have cleverly adapted to the rapid changes in their habitat and make their hives with as much ease on urban high-rise buildings as they do in forests, cliffs, and tall trees
Common Kingfisher: The Bolt of Blue
Species
Common Kingfisher: The Bolt of Blue
Shashank Birla
Its vivid electric blue and orange colouring has led to a timeless fascination with its beauty, but this little bird is also an excellent hunter
Little File Snake: The Silent Predator
Species
Little File Snake: The Silent Predator
Gerry Martin
Harmless to humans but often mistaken for a venomous sea snake, the little file snake lives mostly in brackish mangrove swamps though it sometimes wanders out to open sea as well
Protecting the Sacred Fish of the Cauvery
Species
Protecting the Sacred Fish of the Cauvery
Suradha I
Religious lore, temples, and the impact of inadvertent conservation in the Cauvery basin
Sand Scavengers: Ghost Crabs in the Intertidal Zone of Chennai’s Elliot’s Beach
Species
Sand Scavengers: Ghost Crabs in the Intertidal Zone of Chennai’s Elliot’s Beach
M Yuvan
Living on the foggy cusp of land, sea, sand, and sky, ghost crabs are the beach clean-up crew, the vultures of sandy coastal ecosystems.
Indian Rock Python: Of Legends and Leather Bags
Species
Indian Rock Python: Of Legends and Leather Bags
Gerry Martin
Though the law gives it the highest level of protection, stigma and fear continue to threaten the survival of this species
Peculiar Pelicans: Gawky, Grand and Graceful Waterbirds
Species
Peculiar Pelicans: Gawky, Grand and Graceful Waterbirds
Ranjit Lal
These social birds may sometimes appear clownish and clumsy but they’re majestic and dignified when they fish and fly
Blue-necked Reedtail: The Mysterious Damselfly
Species
Blue-necked Reedtail: The Mysterious Damselfly
Vivek Chandran A
In a forest in Kerala, a surprise encounter with a rare odonate that is an indicator of healthy, primary forests and guardian of freshwater
Life Without Light: Creatures of Meghalaya’s Caves
Species
Life Without Light: Creatures of Meghalaya’s Caves
Divya Candade
Dhritiman Mukherjee
In a fragile, subterranean world of absolute darkness, fascinating life forms emerge
Fishing Friends: Irrawaddy Dolphins and the Fishers of Chilika Lagoon
Species
Fishing Friends: Irrawaddy Dolphins and the Fishers of Chilika Lagoon
Dr Coralie D'Lima
Aditya Panda
In Odisha’s Chilika Lagoon, researchers have confirmed that dolphins do assist fishers in getting a good catch
The Rousing Call of the Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Species
The Rousing Call of the Common Hawk-Cuckoo
Prerna Gupta
You know its peak summer and the breeding season when you hear the incessant calls of the brainfever bird
Huddle Together: Social Spiders and Their Myriad Guests
Species
Huddle Together: Social Spiders and Their Myriad Guests
Maitry Jani
While most spiders are solitary and cannibalistic, this group of spiders is social, cooperative, and “tolerates” foreigners
Skittering Frogs: Look Closely, They’re Floating on Water Everywhere
Species
Skittering Frogs: Look Closely, They’re Floating on Water Everywhere
Dr Seshadri KS
Of the eight species of skittering frogs found worldwide, seven exist in India, and one new species was discovered only in 2016
Vanishing Act: The Slow Decline of Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle
Species
Vanishing Act: The Slow Decline of Cantor’s Giant Softshell Turtle
Ayushi Jain
The turtle has been shrouded in mystery for too long — it is rarely spotted, we know little about its ecology, except that its numbers are declining across its range
A Hidden Life: The Impressed Tortoise in Central Arunachal Pradesh
Species
A Hidden Life: The Impressed Tortoise in Central Arunachal Pradesh
Anuja Mital
When a rare, land-dwelling tortoise materialises out of nowhere in a small area of the Northeast, there is cause for celebration and conservation
Spectacled Cobra: An Unwilling Icon
Species
Spectacled Cobra: An Unwilling Icon
Gerry Martin
Though worshipped, venerated, vilified, adored, and feared, this snake isn’t quite understood
Indian Paradise Flycatcher: Flash Dance of the Glam King
Species
Indian Paradise Flycatcher: Flash Dance of the Glam King
Ranjit Lal
Arijit Mondal
Dressed to the nines, with blue eye rings, dapper suits, and fancy trailing ribbons, the adult male of this species is a showstopper
Andaman Day Gecko: Fleet-footed Flecks of Green
Species
Andaman Day Gecko: Fleet-footed Flecks of Green
Ashwini V Mohan
Endemic to the Andaman Islands this gecko has learnt to adapt and thrive on banana plantations
Humpback Mahseer: Big Fish in a Small World
Species
Humpback Mahseer: Big Fish in a Small World
Nanditha Chandraprakash
The once abundant “tiger of the Cauvery” has now shrunk to a few small pockets in the Cauvery basin. Protecting this fish is not just about the mahseer, it’s linked to the conservation of the larger riverine ecosystem
Going to the Dogs? Turning the Page for India’s Endangered Dhole
Species
Going to the Dogs? Turning the Page for India’s Endangered Dhole
Arjun Srivathsa
As efficient carnivores built to thrive at the top of the food chain, the Asiatic wild dog is a pack hunter that can bring down prey many times its size. Unfortunately, it also has a long history of targeted persecution in India
Bare Truth: Why We Need to Save Our Sloth Bears
Species
Bare Truth: Why We Need to Save Our Sloth Bears
Debadityo Sinha
This nocturnal bear, with powerful claws, is one of the most feared animals of the Indian jungle and yet its survival is threatened
Sticking Point: Bewitched by the Brown Shrike
Species
Sticking Point: Bewitched by the Brown Shrike
Lesley D. Biswas
Why does this sweet, unassuming bird have the ominous nickname “butcherbird”?
Ruby-tailed Hawklet: Black Dragon in Red Shorts
Species
Ruby-tailed Hawklet: Black Dragon in Red Shorts
Vivek Chandran A
Endemic to the marshes and pools of the Western Ghats, this pretty dragonfly is also a good indicator of ecosystem health
Sunbirds: Zippy Popstars Dressed to the Nines
Species
Sunbirds: Zippy Popstars Dressed to the Nines
Ranjit Lal
Arijit Mondal
Tiny tots with sharp curved bills, these dazzling extroverts frequent urban gardens to feed on nectar
Indian Rat Snake: Nature’s Own Pest Control
Species
Indian Rat Snake: Nature’s Own Pest Control
Gerry Martin
An active, adaptable predator that keeps a check on many of the pests that thrive around us, this common snake also becomes prey for cobras, mongooses and raptors
Sea Cucumbers: Silent Superheroes of the Seas
Species
Sea Cucumbers: Silent Superheroes of the Seas
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
These sea creatures are mini ecosystems unto themselves and play a crucial role in keeping oceans alive and healthy
Dizzying Decline of the Indian Vulture
Species
Dizzying Decline of the Indian Vulture
Samuel John
Iravatee Majgaonkar
The unique dietary habits of vultures make them critical to many ecosystems, but also susceptible to the fatal effects of harmful chemicals consumed by other animals
Indian Grey Hornbill: Unsung Hero of Urban Forests
Species
Indian Grey Hornbill: Unsung Hero of Urban Forests
Pooja Pawar
The most widely distributed of hornbill species in India, this fruit loving bird can often be spotted in the middle of a city
Indian Chameleon and the Art of Disappearing
Species
Indian Chameleon and the Art of Disappearing
Gerry Martin
A lightning-fast tongue and unique capacity to camouflage itself are just two of this creature’s highly specialised adaptations
Indian Grey Wolf: Ghosts of The Grasslands
Species
Indian Grey Wolf: Ghosts of The Grasslands
Reshmi Chakraborty
These elusive wild predators are not found in jungles, but in scrubland and grasslands adjacent to human habitation
The Genius Octopus: Programmed to Deceive
Species
The Genius Octopus: Programmed to Deceive
Mahima Jaini
These evolutionarily advanced marine invertebrates can solve puzzles, memorise tricks, use tools, and even recognise and fool humans
Smart and Saucy: The Story of Wild Squids
Species
Smart and Saucy: The Story of Wild Squids
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Squids have evolved complex sensory systems. They are fast, stealthy predators of the seas, but also prey for marine mammals, seabirds, turtles, and a host of fish
Mischief Makers: The Disgraceful Antics of Graceful Gulls
Species
Mischief Makers: The Disgraceful Antics of Graceful Gulls
Ranjit Lal
Migratory gulls are elegant, graceful birds, until they spot someone with a delicious snack
Frabjous Flamingos: Haughty Ballerinas of the Wetlands
Species
Frabjous Flamingos: Haughty Ballerinas of the Wetlands
Ranjit Lal
Tall, boisterous, and dressed in a ballerina’s pink tutu, the flamingo looks like it stepped out of a whimsical Lewis Caroll fantasy
Love at First Dance: The Charming Romance of Great Crested Grebes
Species
Love at First Dance: The Charming Romance of Great Crested Grebes
Dr Asad Rahmani
The elaborate mating ritual involves calling, preening, synchronised swimming, and a graceful “waltz” on water as the final act
Spirals Through Time: Evolution of Orb-weaver Webs
Species
Spirals Through Time: Evolution of Orb-weaver Webs
Samuel John
Orb-weaver spiders are functional design enthusiasts and imaginative decorators, creating a variety of webs that range from minimalist to ornate — all are highly effective insect traps
Eel Hunter: The Amphibious Life of Sea Kraits
Species
Eel Hunter: The Amphibious Life of Sea Kraits
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
With a specialised taste for eels, these venomous sea snakes hold their breath underwater for up to thirty minutes when on their perpetual hunting excursions
Predator in the Pond: Indian Flapshell Turtle
Species
Predator in the Pond: Indian Flapshell Turtle
Gerry Martin
Though these small turtles are camouflaged and instinctively hide on the edges of waterbodies to ambush their prey, they face a perilous future
Narcondam Hornbills: Gardeners of their Island Eden
Species
Narcondam Hornbills: Gardeners of their Island Eden
Sartaj Ghuman
These enigmatic seed dispersers have inadvertently modified their island home over the years to suit their needs
Chousingha: The Shy Four-horned Antelope
Species
Chousingha: The Shy Four-horned Antelope
Anita Rao-Kashi
At the first sign of danger this rare antelope darts into the undergrowth. Spotting a pair in Panna Tiger Reserve is like hitting the jackpot
Mugger: River Monster or Peaceful Giant?
Species
Mugger: River Monster or Peaceful Giant?
Gerry Martin
Seen as dangerous predators and banished from most of their original habitats, marsh crocodiles suffer a perilous existence in India today
A Hidden Life: The Mystery of the Eurasian Otter
Species
A Hidden Life: The Mystery of the Eurasian Otter
Nisarg Prakash
This elusive otter managed to stay under the radar of naturalists and wildlife observers in peninsular India for at least seventy years
Orb-weaving Spiders in Art and Imagination
Species
Orb-weaving Spiders in Art and Imagination
Samuel John
These tiny creatures have inspired design, art, and folklore. They manufacture all their own raw materials for knitting orb-shaped masterpieces of silk that are not just geometric and pretty but also very efficient at catching prey
Bold and Beautiful: Panna’s Glorious Tigers
Species
Bold and Beautiful: Panna’s Glorious Tigers
Anita Rao-Kashi
By the end of 2009 not a single big cat was left in Panna Tiger Reserve. But through one of the country’s best conservation efforts, ten years later it is a thriving habitat with high tiger density, a stable population, and frequent sightings
Not the Witch’s Steed: Why the Hyena is India’s Most Misunderstood Predator
Species
Not the Witch’s Steed: Why the Hyena is India’s Most Misunderstood Predator
Manan Dhuldhoya
The hyena is neither evil or cunning, nor a solitary scavenger. What the intelligent mammal desperately needs is an image makeover
Accidental Tourist: The Vagrant Long-Billed Dowitcher
Species
Accidental Tourist: The Vagrant Long-Billed Dowitcher
Shashank Birla
Thousands of kilometres from its natural habitat, a lone, unexpected guest becomes a temporary celebrity for the birdwatching community of Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary
Horned Lark: The Crazy Bird and its Crazy Nest
Species
Horned Lark: The Crazy Bird and its Crazy Nest
Peeyush Sekhsaria
The horned lark cares little for privacy. It builds its nests in open grounds, on compound walls, or even next to busy roads, allowing everyone a glimpse of its private life
Hump-nosed Pit Viper: Gem on the Forest Floor
Species
Hump-nosed Pit Viper: Gem on the Forest Floor
Nirmal Kulkarni
Deep in the forests of the northern Western Ghats, Castle Rock is a hotspot for reptiles and amphibians, and the perfect location to find and study this elusive nocturnal pit viper
Monsoon Musicians: Songs of the Cicadas
Species
Monsoon Musicians: Songs of the Cicadas
Divya Candade
With about 200 different species in India the diversity of cicadas is astonishing. But there is one thing common to most of them, they emerge annually and herald the arrival of the monsoon with their music
Green Munia: The Gullible Beauty of the Scrub Forest
Species
Green Munia: The Gullible Beauty of the Scrub Forest
Dr Asad Rahmani
Dhritiman Mukherjee
The green munia is a brightly-coloured bird with a melodious call — unfortunately its beauty is also its curse. It is still illegally trafficked in large numbers despite its declining population
Golden Jackal: Wandering Howler of Indian Jungles and Backyards
Species
Golden Jackal: Wandering Howler of Indian Jungles and Backyards
Malaika Mathew Chawla
The golden jackal, found in almost every habitat in the country, has inspired folk stories and songs, but also a few questionable practices that have led to poaching of the wild canid
Night Flyer: The Red Giant Gliding Squirrel in Namdapha National Park
Species
Night Flyer: The Red Giant Gliding Squirrel in Namdapha National Park
Murali Krishna Chatakonda
Dhritiman Mukherjee
Though this nocturnal squirrel resides high up in the canopy and is widely distributed it is threatened by deforestation and habitat fragmentation
Indian Pitta: A Whistling, Winged Rainbow
Species
Indian Pitta: A Whistling, Winged Rainbow
Shashank Birla
The brilliantly-coloured Indian pitta is an eyecatcher — it has adorned magazine and book covers, and inspired local names and tales wherever it has travelled
Fear and Fascination on the Trail of the Mugger
Species
Fear and Fascination on the Trail of the Mugger
Anita Rao-Kashi
Marsh crocodiles are stealthy creatures and apex predators of their environment, that can elicit both admiration and a panic response
Tall, Dark, and Lonesome: The White-bellied Heron’s Last Call for Help
Species
Tall, Dark, and Lonesome: The White-bellied Heron’s Last Call for Help
William Duckworth
Megha Rao
With less than 250 known individuals in the world and fewer than 50 in India, the white-bellied heron is slowly disappearing without a trace
Fleet-footed Tahrs: Lords of the Pinnacles
Species
Fleet-footed Tahrs: Lords of the Pinnacles
Dr Asad Rahmani
Exploring three distinct species of mountain ungulates, traditionally labeled tahrs, from the mountains of Asia
Saltwater Crocodile: Dragons of the Sundarbans Swamps
Species
Saltwater Crocodile: Dragons of the Sundarbans Swamps
Radhika Raj
Basking in the sun, the saltwater crocodile is a study in stillness but once it enters the brackish waters of the Sundarbans, it is the top aquatic predator
The Bengal Slow Loris: Disappearing Gently into That Good Night
Species
The Bengal Slow Loris: Disappearing Gently into That Good Night
Deepanwita Gita Niyogi
Endangered by habitat loss, hunting and illegal pet trade, this nocturnal primate found in India's northeast needs urgent attention
Painted Storks: The Winged Daughters of Kokkarebellur
Species
Painted Storks: The Winged Daughters of Kokkarebellur
Swati Thiyagarajan
Every year, for about six months, the village of Kokkarebellur is taken over by painted storks. Locals believe the loud and beautiful visitors are like their own children
Shaking a Leg with the Kottigehar Dancing Frog
Species
Shaking a Leg with the Kottigehar Dancing Frog
Rohan Chakravarty
Madhushri Mudke
A critically endangered frog, endemic to the perennial forest streams of the Western Ghats, “foot-flags” to charm a mate
Dark Side: Spotting a Leopard in Panna Tiger Reserve
Species
Dark Side: Spotting a Leopard in Panna Tiger Reserve
Anita Rao-Kashi
At night, the forests of India are happy stomping grounds for many creatures, but few are as adaptable, clandestine, and canny as the leopard
Nest of Deception: When Spiders Mimic Weaver Ants
Species
Nest of Deception: When Spiders Mimic Weaver Ants
Samuel John
Numerous species of spiders trick weaver ants by mimicking their appearance and behaviour. They steal their identity and larvae, and sometimes even kill and eat them up
Bewitching Blennies: Pixies of the Seas
Species
Bewitching Blennies: Pixies of the Seas
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Blennies are small, cute fish that are essential to the functioning of coral reef ecosystems. Being abundant and quick to reproduce, they are an important food source for predators.
Barking Deer or Indian Muntjac: The Solitary Reaper
Species
Barking Deer or Indian Muntjac: The Solitary Reaper
Shashank Birla
This small deer prefers to be alone in forest cover and dense vegetation. When it senses danger, it calls out with a harsh bark that can be heard at least a kilometre away
Malabar Pied Hornbill: In Tuxedos for the Fruit Party
Species
Malabar Pied Hornbill: In Tuxedos for the Fruit Party
Meghna Krishnadas
Usually in groups of ten these hornbills are sometimes seen in flocks of 100 or more in slightly open forests with plenty of fruit trees
Demoiselle Cranes: High-Flying Damsels
Species
Demoiselle Cranes: High-Flying Damsels
Dr Asad Rahmani
With deep orange eyes, long, luscious neck feathers, and slender legs, the demoiselle crane looks like it is dressed for an elegant party
White-naped Tit: Whistler in the Bush
Species
White-naped Tit: Whistler in the Bush
Sutirtha Lahiri
Shashank Dalvi
Partial to thorny scrub forests in the western and southern parts of the country, this rare bird is slowly losing its preferred habitat
Guest List of Thousands: Demoiselle Cranes in Kheechan
Species
Guest List of Thousands: Demoiselle Cranes in Kheechan
Anadya Singh
Kheechan in Rajasthan has a fifty-year-long tradition of welcoming and feeding thousands of migratory demoiselle cranes from Eurasia, as they winter in the south
Phayre’s Langur: A Future Denied
Species
Phayre’s Langur: A Future Denied
Swapna Nelaballi
Dhritiman Mukherjee
Endangered Phayre’s langurs are losing their habitat at a rapid pace. They need targeted conservation interventions to survive.
No Laughing Matter: Nilgiri Laughingthrush and its Habitats at Risk
Species
No Laughing Matter: Nilgiri Laughingthrush and its Habitats at Risk
Dr Asad Rahmani
Named after the Nilgiri mountain range, the Nilgiri laughingthrush was once a common sight across the extensive shola forests of the Western Ghats. Today, perhaps, less than 2OOO individuals survive
Yellow-throated Marten: Feisty, Fearless Predator of the Himalayas
Species
Yellow-throated Marten: Feisty, Fearless Predator of the Himalayas
Tarun Menon
This carnivore’s small size belies its hunting skills and predatory tactics — which include the ability to bring down prey larger than itself
Dazzled by the Golden Gecko: Dainty Lizard of the Ruins
Species
Dazzled by the Golden Gecko: Dainty Lizard of the Ruins
Dr Seshadri KS
Shashank Dalvi
For over 100 years, scientists thought the golden gecko was extinct, until it was rediscovered in 1985. Spotting it amidst the ruins of an old fort is as good as finding treasure
The Mangrove Pitta: A Blue Streak in the Mud
Species
The Mangrove Pitta: A Blue Streak in the Mud
Sutirtha Lahiri
Shashank Dalvi
Found only in mangrove habitats, the striking mangrove pitta is one India’s most beautiful and underappreciated birds
Project Camouflage: Styles and Survival Strategies of Decorator Crabs
Species
Project Camouflage: Styles and Survival Strategies of Decorator Crabs
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Umeed Mistry
Decorator crabs assemble elaborate adornments to masquerade as different life forms and escape being attacked by predators
Canopy Colonisers: Battles of the Weaver Ant Armies
Species
Canopy Colonisers: Battles of the Weaver Ant Armies
Samuel John
Weaver ants display great aggression towards nearly any visitors to their territory, but will actively look after farms of sap-sucking insects to harvest honeydew to meet their energy needs
Chinkara: The Graceful Gazelles of Saswad
Species
Chinkara: The Graceful Gazelles of Saswad
Reshmi Chakraborty
The chinkara may not be on everyone’s watch list, but it should be, for this alert and agile doe-eyed antelope is a study in beauty and poise
Locust Swarms: Pests or Actors in the Ecosystem?
Species
Locust Swarms: Pests or Actors in the Ecosystem?
Dr Asad Rahmani
The locust is both agriculture pest and a food source. Normally solitary, they turn into a locust plague when conditions are just right
Pangolins in Peril: The Illicit Wildlife Trade has Pushed this Mammal to the Brink of Extinction
Species
Pangolins in Peril: The Illicit Wildlife Trade has Pushed this Mammal to the Brink of Extinction
Vikram Aditya
The pangolin has survived millennia on Earth, but can it survive the 21st century?
Painted Sandgrouse: The Art of Blending In
Species
Painted Sandgrouse: The Art of Blending In
Reshmi Chakraborty
With its black, white, and brown plumage the painted sandgrouse is well camouflaged in the rocky landscapes of the Saswad grasslands near Pune
Nilgiri Tahr: The Little-known Mountain Monarch of the Anaimalai Hills
Species
Nilgiri Tahr: The Little-known Mountain Monarch of the Anaimalai Hills
Munib Khanyari
Conservation through monitoring population trends of the Nilgiri Tahr in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu
The Dark Knight: Enigma of the Common Krait
Species
The Dark Knight: Enigma of the Common Krait
Gerry Martin
Its reputation is deadly, but how does the common krait take your breath away?
Island Shenanigans: Nicobar Long-tailed Macaques in a Tropical World by the Sea
Species
Island Shenanigans: Nicobar Long-tailed Macaques in a Tropical World by the Sea
Ishika Ramakrishna
Straight from Andaman and Nicobar Islands, the life of a unique nonhuman primate species that is adaptable, intelligent, and highly social
Raiders of the Anthill: Sloth Bears of Kumbhalgarh
Species
Raiders of the Anthill: Sloth Bears of Kumbhalgarh
Anirudh Nair
A sweet tooth and a penchant for ants and termites occasionally take the sloth bear beyond the boundaries of Rajasthan’s wildlife sanctuaries
Weaver Ants: Leafy Kingdoms and New Empires
Species
Weaver Ants: Leafy Kingdoms and New Empires
Samuel John
A single queen ant gives rise to a new colony of ants whose workers weave leaves to make nests spanning multiple trees, to house hundreds of thousands of colony-mates
Secret Life of the Mouse Deer
Species
Secret Life of the Mouse Deer
Dr Asad Rahmani
The shy and solitary mouse deer, the smallest of all deer in India, lives a quiet life in the thick undergrowth of a dense forest
Dung Beetles: The Little Things That Run the World
Species
Dung Beetles: The Little Things That Run the World
Dr Asad Rahmani
They are found nearly all over the planet and are considered engineers of the soil. But why are dung beetles so fascinated with poop?
Painted Storks: Colouring the Coringa Wetlands
Species
Painted Storks: Colouring the Coringa Wetlands
Anita Rao-Kashi
Srikanth Mannepuri
Though fairly large, painted storks are graceful and elegant birds that prefer shallow wetlands and marshes and nest in large colonies
Clouds, Hills, and Sightings of the Nilgiri Tahr
Species
Clouds, Hills, and Sightings of the Nilgiri Tahr
Swati Thiyagarajan
Found exclusively in South India, the Nilgiri tahr inhabits rocky hillsides and grasslands of the Western Ghats, but for how long?
Staying Alive: South Asian River Dolphins
Species
Staying Alive: South Asian River Dolphins
Nachiket Kelkar
No species on Earth is similar to the almost blind <em>Platanista gangetica</em>, which belong to an ancient lineage
The Fabulous, Functional World of Sea Slugs
Species
The Fabulous, Functional World of Sea Slugs
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
Flamboyant in appearance and stealthy in their ways, sea slugs protect themselves in unique ways, including repurposing the defence weapons of their prey for their own protection
Smooth-coated otters: Slick Operators of Coringa
Species
Smooth-coated otters: Slick Operators of Coringa
Anita Rao-Kashi
Srikanth Mannepuri
Beguiling, playful, even comical, smooth-coated otters are the unlikely helpers of Coringa’s keystone species, the fishing cat
Unfair Game: The Plight of the MacQueen’s Bustard
Species
Unfair Game: The Plight of the MacQueen’s Bustard
Manan Dhuldhoya
This worldwide population of this little-known bustard has been severely harmed by its use as live bait in an illegal hunting sport
First Among Equals: Wild Asses of the Little Rann of Kutch
Species
First Among Equals: Wild Asses of the Little Rann of Kutch
Manan Dhuldhoya
Dhritiman Mukherjee
The Little Rann’s flagship species is shy, skittish, and ever alert to human intrusion into its home
Dog-faced Water Snake: Sludge and Salt in the Intertidal Zone
Species
Dog-faced Water Snake: Sludge and Salt in the Intertidal Zone
Gerry Martin
With their home in coastal mangroves, South Asian bokadams have adapted to sidewinding their way through the murk and slush of their watery habitat
Cross Connections: The Story of Humans, Urial, and their Kin
Species
Cross Connections: The Story of Humans, Urial, and their Kin
Charudutt Mishra
The role of wild sheep in the trajectory of human growth, and other compelling reasons to protect the urial and its habitat
Hunter Among the Mangroves: The Fishing Cat of Coringa
Species
Hunter Among the Mangroves: The Fishing Cat of Coringa
Anita Rao-Kashi
Dhritiman Mukherjee
Relatively unknown, elusive, and utterly beautiful, the fishing cat is among the mangroves’ most spectacular animals
Blackbuck Beauties at the Point of Protection
Species
Blackbuck Beauties at the Point of Protection
Shoma Abhyankar
The sunny, open grasslands of Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary offer unhurried, unhindered views of these graceful antelopes
I Want It All: The Checkered Keelback’s Game Plan
Species
I Want It All: The Checkered Keelback’s Game Plan
Gerry Martin
This semi-aquatic snake is ready to pounce on almost anything, even creatures it can’t really hope to swallow
Croc Talk: Of Salt, Scales, and Swamps
Species
Croc Talk: Of Salt, Scales, and Swamps
Gerry Martin
The estuarine or saltwater crocodile is a mighty beast with a long lifespan and formidable reputation
A Tux and a Dance: A Day in the Life of the Common Coot
Species
A Tux and a Dance: A Day in the Life of the Common Coot
Anirudh Nair
Coots are known to be quarrelsome, but outside the breeding season, they are also graceful creatures that will glide through waterbodies effortlessly in coordinated flocks
Miracle on a Beach: A Night with the Ancients
Species
Miracle on a Beach: A Night with the Ancients
Swati Thiyagarajan
The arribada or the mass nesting of olive Ridleys is nothing short of magic. Year after year, the turtles return to the land, to the very beach they were born in, to lay eggs
Spotted Creeper in the Khejri Tree
Species
Spotted Creeper in the Khejri Tree
Sutirtha Lahiri
With a melodious call, the rare Indian spotted creeper makes an appearance on a misty morning in the Tal Chhapar Wildlife Sanctuary
In the Sundarbans, the Bengal Tiger is Always Watching You
Species
In the Sundarbans, the Bengal Tiger is Always Watching You
Radhika Raj
Encounters with the tiger in the riverine, mangrove forests of the Sundarbans highlights its many roles — as flagship species, apex predator, photographer’s muse, fisherman’s nightmare, ghost, fictive kin, and god
Thriving in Thin Air: Pikas of the Himalayan Talus
Species
Thriving in Thin Air: Pikas of the Himalayan Talus
Abhishek Ghoshal
Tiny, cute, and highly adaptable, the pika survives freezing temperatures and a host of predators
Hop, Skip, Run: The Hardy Pikas of Ladakh
Species
Hop, Skip, Run: The Hardy Pikas of Ladakh
Nishma Dahal
Various species of pikas occupy the meadows and rock-strewn slopes of Ladakh, and they all stockpile enough food to last them through the bitter winter
Black-necked Stork in the Eye of the Marsh
Species
Black-necked Stork in the Eye of the Marsh
Dr Asad Rahmani
Tracking the black-necked stork over decades, it becomes apparent that this grand bird is territorial, needs a lot space, and resides only in large healthy marshland
A Lifetime of Love: The Romance of the Sarus Cranes
Species
A Lifetime of Love: The Romance of the Sarus Cranes
Dr Asad Rahmani
Sarus cranes mate for life, but they also express deep feelings of love, attachment, tenderness, anxiety, distress, and other emotions we associate with the human experience
Montagu’s Harrier: Prowlers on the Grassland
Species
Montagu’s Harrier: Prowlers on the Grassland
Sutirtha Lahiri
Following the migratory path of locusts and grasshoppers, Montagu’s harriers were once one of the most common harriers to winter on the Indian subcontinent. This is less and less so as their favourite grassland habitats diminish
Spider Hunting Spider: Portia and the Art of Problem Solving
Species
Spider Hunting Spider: Portia and the Art of Problem Solving
Samuel John
A peanut-sized jumping spider called Portia concocts complex strategies to catch its prey
Out of Favour: Prayer for a Mantis
Species
Out of Favour: Prayer for a Mantis
Sanjay Sondhi
This farmer’s aide is a voracious eater that has helped keep insect populations in check. Unfortunately, excessive spraying of chemical insecticides is destroying this natural pest controller
Smooth-Coated Otters: A Rough Ride Along Transforming Rivers
Species
Smooth-Coated Otters: A Rough Ride Along Transforming Rivers
Nisarg Prakash
Smooth-coated otters are top predators of our riverine habitats, but new emerging threats are putting the lives of these playful, clever creatures at risk
The Wolves of Velavadar and a Pack of Memories
Species
The Wolves of Velavadar and a Pack of Memories
Manan Dhuldhoya
A visit to the golden grasslands of Gujarat’s Blackbuck National Park in Velavadar results in unusual sightings of wolves and a rush of childhood memories
Pussyfooting Parliamentarians: Short-eared Owls in the Little Rann
Species
Pussyfooting Parliamentarians: Short-eared Owls in the Little Rann
Manan Dhuldhoya
A communal roosting site of this ground dwelling owl in the Little Rann of Kachchh demonstrates the aptness of some collective nouns
Learning the Fox Trot: In Pursuit of the Bushy-Tailed Red Fox in Spiti Valley
Species
Learning the Fox Trot: In Pursuit of the Bushy-Tailed Red Fox in Spiti Valley
Abhishek Ghoshal
Why the common red fox, may end up not so common after all
Clash of the Titans: When the King Cobra Meets a Rock Python
Species
Clash of the Titans: When the King Cobra Meets a Rock Python
Dr Seshadri KS
In the world of reptiles, boundaries between predator and prey are sometimes blurred
When Elephants Rage
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When Elephants Rage
Neha Sinha
A provoked, charging elephant may please popping cameras, but distresses the otherwise peaceful animal. They deserve the land, space and privacy they need
Montagu’s Harriers: The Slender Hawks of Velavadar
Species
Montagu’s Harriers: The Slender Hawks of Velavadar
Prashanth MB
Dr. T. Ganesh
Every year, thousands of harriers from Central Asia visit Gujarat to feast on the abundance that the grasslands of Velavadar Blackbuck National Park offer
Foxy Tales: Look Before You Leap
Species
Foxy Tales: Look Before You Leap
Ovee Thorat
Dhritiman Mukherjee
In the Kutch district of Gujarat, the clever desert fox survives a harsh habitat and outsmarts those who pursue it
The Sandgrouse has a Trick up its Belly
Species
The Sandgrouse has a Trick up its Belly
Dr Asad Rahmani
The sandgrouse has a smart hack to survive in difficult dry and arid habitats – it carries water in its belly feathers
Tactical Tails: Life Moves in Slow Motion for the Spiny-tailed Lizard
Species
Tactical Tails: Life Moves in Slow Motion for the Spiny-tailed Lizard
Dr Asad Rahmani
With a fat tail that is both a boon and bane, this herbivorous reptile has adapted well to a hot, arid habitat
Getting Into a Huddle: The Himalayan Marmot Family
Species
Getting Into a Huddle: The Himalayan Marmot Family
Swati Thiyagarajan
These cute, furry rodents of Ladakh are inadvertent ecosystem engineers
Short-eared Owl: Hidden Winter Resident of the Grasslands
Species
Short-eared Owl: Hidden Winter Resident of the Grasslands
Tarun Menon
The short-eared owl breaks common owl stereotypes — it migrates across continents, flaps its wings like a moth, and is active in the daytime
Enter the Mysterious World of Camel Spiders
Species
Enter the Mysterious World of Camel Spiders
Samuel John
Neither camel nor spider, this hyperactive solifugid is a nocturnal warrior and formidable lover
Where the Wild Cat Roams: On Spotting the Black-Eared One
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Where the Wild Cat Roams: On Spotting the Black-Eared One
Raza Kazmi
Tracing the history of sightings, of the rare and mysterious caracal, in the wilderness of east-central India
Why Rann When you can fly: The Bar-headed Geese of Gujarat
Species
Why Rann When you can fly: The Bar-headed Geese of Gujarat
Tarun Menon
Every winter, flocks of these migratory geese make their way from Central Asia to the Indian peninsula
Petite but Deadly: Secrets of the Saw-scaled Viper
Species
Petite but Deadly: Secrets of the Saw-scaled Viper
Gerry Martin
A relatively tiny snake with extremely potent venom and the ability to make loud, raspy warning sounds, make this one of the most enigmatic of the big four dangerous snakes of India
Living Dragons: Weapons, Defences and the Water Monitor Lizard
Species
Living Dragons: Weapons, Defences and the Water Monitor Lizard
Gerry Martin
Though this predator is the second-largest lizard in the world, and very well adapted to the tropical environment it lives in, it is not at the top of the food chain
Nymphs, Love Spells, and the Eurasian Wryneck
Species
Nymphs, Love Spells, and the Eurasian Wryneck
Lesley D. Biswas
When this free-spirited bird visits the outskirts of Kolkata it brings more than a little cheer
Of Forked Tongues and Scaling Fort Walls: Story of the Bengal Monitor Lizard
Species
Of Forked Tongues and Scaling Fort Walls: Story of the Bengal Monitor Lizard
Gerry Martin
The Bengal monitor lizard could be a useful ally in human dominated landscapes, if only its population wasn’t being decimated as a result of baseless beliefs and myths
Wings of Chance: The Accidental Discovery of the Apatani Glory Moth
Species
Wings of Chance: The Accidental Discovery of the Apatani Glory Moth
Samrat
In remote Pange, near the Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh, an “unintentional” photograph by a local sparked a series of scientific expeditions and led to the discovery of a new moth species, now named after his tribe
Cliff Hanger: The Blue Sheep That Isn’t
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Cliff Hanger: The Blue Sheep That Isn’t
Charudutt Mishra
Although the fleet-footed and agile bharal of the Himalayas has evolved mountaineering skills to escape predation, its pastures need our protection
Meet Spiny, the Only Herbivorous Lizard Species in India
Species
Meet Spiny, the Only Herbivorous Lizard Species in India
Vipul Ramanuj
Catherene Christian
How the spiny-tailed lizard copes with its habitat in the desert and its many predators
The Amur Falcon and the Mysteries of Bird Migration
Species
The Amur Falcon and the Mysteries of Bird Migration
Dr Seshadri KS
Every year, tens of thousands of Amur falcons descend upon Nagaland, creating a natural history spectacle that is both rare and riveting
At a Canter: The Kiang of the Changthang
Species
At a Canter: The Kiang of the Changthang
Trisha Gupta
Droves of Tibetan wild ass or kiang are a common sight in the rolling open grasslands and marshy wetlands of Ladakh’s Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary
Snare Traps and Night-vision Goggles: Net-casting Spider on a Hunt
Species
Snare Traps and Night-vision Goggles: Net-casting Spider on a Hunt
Samuel John
Hunter, scientist, skilled weaver, and meticulous planner — this fascinating arachnid’s nightly action plan reveals it is as intelligent as it is industrious
Leap of Faith: The Magical World of Jumping Spiders
Species
Leap of Faith: The Magical World of Jumping Spiders
Samuel John
These creatures are a highly adaptable species of spider with advanced vision, and can be found from the freezing-cold high Himalayas to the arid, baking desert of Rajasthan
Don’t Kiss and Tell: The Unusual Breeding Behaviour of Humayun’s Wrinkled Frog
Species
Don’t Kiss and Tell: The Unusual Breeding Behaviour of Humayun’s Wrinkled Frog
Varad Giri
How a melodious call in Amboli led to a research paper on an amphibian in the Western Ghats
Chinkara: The Dainty Desert Ballerina
Species
Chinkara: The Dainty Desert Ballerina
Dr Asad Rahmani
With soft, expressive eyes, a glossy, tan coat and a slender body, the graceful chinkara is soothing sight in the hot, harsh desert
The Eight-Legged Wolf with Stars in its Eyes
Species
The Eight-Legged Wolf with Stars in its Eyes
Samuel John
Spotting wolf spiders at night feels like part-arachnology and part-stargazing ⁠— their twinkling eyes shine like diamonds on the desert floor
Russell’s Vipers: Predators of the Undergrowth
Species
Russell’s Vipers: Predators of the Undergrowth
Gerry Martin
A radio telemetric study explores the life and behaviour of this elusive, cryptic and hugely misunderstood snake
Out of Sight: The Rann, Thar, and the Great Indian Bustard
Species
Out of Sight: The Rann, Thar, and the Great Indian Bustard
Arjun Awasthi
Inhabitant of the grasslands of western India, this critically endangered species needs all the help it can get to bring it back from the brink of extinction
Amazing Grace: The Dancing Black-necked Cranes of Ladakh
Species
Amazing Grace: The Dancing Black-necked Cranes of Ladakh
Trisha Gupta
Tall and stately, black-necked cranes are short-term migrants in Ladakh, yet their elegance has inspired myths, folk dances, art, research and wildlife expeditions
Mountain Monarchs of High Asia
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Mountain Monarchs of High Asia
Charudutt Mishra
A salute to the various species of wild sheep and goat that inhabit Asia’s mountains, and have had a defining influence on the course of human civilisation
The Spider’s Wharf: Tales of a Freshwater Fishing Enthusiast
Species
The Spider’s Wharf: Tales of a Freshwater Fishing Enthusiast
Samuel John
From stealthily waiting by the water to prey on fish and tadpoles to females consuming males as a part of courtship ritual, the world of fishing spiders is full of intrigue
Rocky Road: Change is in the Air for the Himalayan Brown Bear
Species
Rocky Road: Change is in the Air for the Himalayan Brown Bear
Anadya Singh
Modifications in its denning pattern suggest that the dren-mo, the rarest of bears in India, is feeling the impact of environmental degradation
High Flier: Bar-headed Goose Over the Himalayas
Species
High Flier: Bar-headed Goose Over the Himalayas
Garima Bhatia
These remarkable birds undertake one of the most extraordinary migration journeys of the avian world
A Starburst of Colour and the Quest for a Nest
Species
A Starburst of Colour and the Quest for a Nest
Neha Sinha
In a polluted, concrete and plastic-ridden city, a resilient sunbird couple builds and rebuilds their home
Hornbills of India: Encounters to Remember
Species
Hornbills of India: Encounters to Remember
Supriya Sehgal
India has nine enigmatic species of hornbills, spotting even a couple in their dense forest habitats is a memory to behold
The Soaring Raptor of the Changthang Skies
Species
The Soaring Raptor of the Changthang Skies
Subhashini Krishnan
The handsome upland buzzard is Ladakh’s resident breeder that nests on sharp, sheer ledges of steep rocky cliffs
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker: A (W)holesome Guide
Species
Rufous-bellied Woodpecker: A (W)holesome Guide
Tarun Menon
This sap sucking woodpecker creates multiple sap holes in trees, providing a food resource to other creatures of the forest
Himalayan Wolf: The Howler of Hanle
Species
Himalayan Wolf: The Howler of Hanle
Subhashini Krishnan
Searching for the elusive Tibetan wolf, in the Changthang Plateau of Ladakh
The Trickster of the Desert: Greater Hoopoe Lark
Species
The Trickster of the Desert: Greater Hoopoe Lark
Dr Asad Rahmani
The greater hoopoe lark is clever. When it sees a predator, it fake falls and pretends to be an injured, easy prey, to distract the hunter from its nest
White-browed Bushchat: The Enigmatic Desert Dancer
Species
White-browed Bushchat: The Enigmatic Desert Dancer
Dr Asad Rahmani
Little is known about this elusive bird, including why it occasionally puffs its white breast feathers and sways gracefully from side to side, as if to an imagined melody
Shadow in the Sand: Encountering the Toad-headed Agama in Ladakh
Species
Shadow in the Sand: Encountering the Toad-headed Agama in Ladakh
Sanjay Sondhi
Once listed as common, the toad-headed agama is now a rare creature in its native habitat of Ladakh
Woolly Wolf: An Ancient Lineage in the Himalayas
Species
Woolly Wolf: An Ancient Lineage in the Himalayas
Salvador Lyngdoh
Himalayan wolves are versatile beings that are well adapted to the cold high-altitude desert. These wild canines share an environment with snow leopards and are known to roam great distances
Seeking the Elusive Stone Marten in the Wilds of Spiti Valley
Species
Seeking the Elusive Stone Marten in the Wilds of Spiti Valley
Abhishek Ghoshal
A close look at a lesser-known Himalayan carnivore and its prey
Bearded Vulture: The Marrow-Minded Raptor
Species
Bearded Vulture: The Marrow-Minded Raptor
Abhishek Gulshan
Dhritiman Mukherjee
This bird of prey cracks bones by dropping them from a height on sharp, rocky cliffs so it can feed on the soft, juicy marrow inside
Meet the Pygmy Hog, the Rarest Pig in the World
Species
Meet the Pygmy Hog, the Rarest Pig in the World
Sustain Team
How conservationists brought the pygmy hog back from the brink of extinction
Malabar Grey Hornbills: Gardeners of the Rainforest
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Malabar Grey Hornbills: Gardeners of the Rainforest
Nisarg Prakash
The Malabar grey hornbill is endemic to and emblematic of the rainforests of the Western Ghats, which often resonate with their calls and cackles
Leaf Masquerade of the Vine Snake
Species
Leaf Masquerade of the Vine Snake
Anirudh Nair
In the jungles of Agumbe long-held myths about the vine snake slither into the underbrush
Snow Leopard: The Ghost Cat and the Art of Waiting
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Snow Leopard: The Ghost Cat and the Art of Waiting
Pankaj Singh
A distant longing to see the snow leopard brings to light an epiphany: Everything is connected — man, animal, and ecology
On the Fly: An Afternoon with the Dragon Lizards of Agumbe
Species
On the Fly: An Afternoon with the Dragon Lizards of Agumbe
Anirudh Nair
You can never tire of watching the smooth, precise gliding motion of draco lizards as they ‘fly’ from tree to tree
Tall, Dark and Handsome: The Greater Adjutant
Species
Tall, Dark and Handsome: The Greater Adjutant
Dr Asad Rahmani
A brief history of the decline of this enormous, endangered bird and the community-driven initiatives that have given it a new lease of life
Protecting the Snow Leopards of Asia’s Mountains
Species
Protecting the Snow Leopards of Asia’s Mountains
Charudutt Mishra
As their habitat is encroached upon, snow leopards face severe threats, but we can ensure that these splendid creatures, and the mountain people they live near, thrive and prosper
Himalayan Marmots: Sharp Sentinels of Ladakh
Species
Himalayan Marmots: Sharp Sentinels of Ladakh
Abhishek Ghoshal
Burrowing deep and wrestling their way to survival, these giant ground squirrels live in the high-altitude cold desert of Changthang, Ladakh
The Common Tailorbird Stitches its Magic
Species
The Common Tailorbird Stitches its Magic
Abhishek Gulshan
In urban gardens, the petite tailorbird can be found using its fine beak and innate skills to sow leaves together to build a cradle-like nest
The Rare Hawkmoths of Ladakh
Species
The Rare Hawkmoths of Ladakh
Sanjay Sondhi
Rediscovering the sea buckthorn hawkmoth in Ladakh after a hundred years, plus a glimpse of other nocturnal hawkmoths of the region
In my Backyard: The Oriental Honey-buzzard
Species
In my Backyard: The Oriental Honey-buzzard
Sanjay Sondhi
Spotting the crested or oriental honey-buzzard, whose favourite foods is bee and wasp larvae and nests
The Grand Old Buffaloes of the Savannah Need Protection
Species
The Grand Old Buffaloes of the Savannah Need Protection
Anwaruddin Choudhury
A small and highly fragmented population of wild water buffalo struggles for survival. Long-term conservation actions are needed for their preservation
Baby of the Forest: In Search of the Malabar Grey Slender Loris
Species
Baby of the Forest: In Search of the Malabar Grey Slender Loris
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
In the densest parts of Agumbe’s forests, this wide-eyed primate feeds on insects in the quiet of the night
Flying Wizard: Draco the Gliding Lizard
Species
Flying Wizard: Draco the Gliding Lizard
Chetana Babburjung Purushotham
With a little yellow dewlap flag for communication, wing-like extensions to parachute through the forest, and cryptic camouflage, the southern flying lizard is no ordinary reptile
Bowled Over by the Beautiful Pallas’s Squirrel
Species
Bowled Over by the Beautiful Pallas’s Squirrel
PS Sumashini
Fleet-footed and super-active, the Pallas’s squirrel is an extremely adaptable species found in Northeast India
King Cobra: The World’s Longest Venomous Snake
Species
King Cobra: The World’s Longest Venomous Snake
Gowri Shankar
Sharmila Shankar
How does the cannibalistic, snake-eating king cobra manage to multiply and survive?
Malabar Pit Viper: Ambush in the Well of Life and Death
Species
Malabar Pit Viper: Ambush in the Well of Life and Death
Anirudh Nair
Occurring in an array of different colours, the nocturnal Malabar pit viper is a keen hunter that is endemic to the rainforests of the Western Ghats
The Monkey with a Beanie: The Capped Langurs of Hollongapar
Species
The Monkey with a Beanie: The Capped Langurs of Hollongapar
Uddipana Kalita
Destruction of forests is putting this primate’s future at risk. In the last three decades, their population has seen a 3O per cent decline
Chronicles of the Forest Calotes
Species
Chronicles of the Forest Calotes
Sanjay Sondhi
This quick little lizard lives in forest trees of the Western Ghats. The male turns into a blushing red groom when it’s time to attract the ladies
Abbott’s Babbler: Brown Daub on the Green Canvas
Species
Abbott’s Babbler: Brown Daub on the Green Canvas
Sutirtha Lahiri
Even a lucky birder will only see this elusive babbler for a brief moment, before it dives back into the bush
Antics and Ambush of the Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo
Species
Antics and Ambush of the Greater Racket-Tailed Drongo
André Morris
This pretty bird can be quite the aggressor, and is quick to pounce on and grab at food sourced by other birds
Bengal Slow Loris: The Fiery-Eyed Wonder of the Night
Species
Bengal Slow Loris: The Fiery-Eyed Wonder of the Night
Swapna Nelaballi
The gum-eating, fiery-eyed primate is being wiped out by an illegal international pet trade
Pig-tailed Macaque: Elusive Monkey of the Deep Forest
Species
Pig-tailed Macaque: Elusive Monkey of the Deep Forest
Neeharika Gogoi
Narayan Sharma
A proactive forest department, supportive local communities, and the constant presence of researchers has helped the pig-tailed macaque’s conservation in the forests of Hollongapar
Malahari and Onti: Squirrels in a Dwindling Forest
Species
Malahari and Onti: Squirrels in a Dwindling Forest
PS Sumashini
Tracking the black or Malayan giant squirrel in the canopy, from its favourite fruit trees to its drey
Flying Solo with a Planthopper in Agumbe
Species
Flying Solo with a Planthopper in Agumbe
Sanjay Sondhi
Whether at the nymph stage when it is a funky looking white creature with powdery tentacles sprouting from the body, or in adulthood, when it looks like a butterfly, this tropical planthopper is truly fascinating
Bengal Florican: Erstwhile King of the Grasslands
Species
Bengal Florican: Erstwhile King of the Grasslands
Dr Asad Rahmani
Once admired for its regal appearance and capricious aerial displays, unfortunately the Bengal florican is better known today for its critically endangered status
Sultans of Swing: Hoolock Gibbons Rule the Canopy
Species
Sultans of Swing: Hoolock Gibbons Rule the Canopy
Malavika Bhattacharya
This tiny graceful ape, hangs on to one of the last protected bastions of its native habitat
The Stump-tailed Macaques of Hollongapar
Species
The Stump-tailed Macaques of Hollongapar
Malavika Bhattacharya
On the scent of elusive primates in the forests of Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
Rare Black-breasted Parrotbills Hide in the Grasslands
Species
Rare Black-breasted Parrotbills Hide in the Grasslands
Sutirtha Lahiri
Dhritiman Mukherjee
This elusive little bird, found exclusively in Northeast India, is on every birdwatcher’s wish list
Wings of Wonder: Butterflies of Hollongapar
Species
Wings of Wonder: Butterflies of Hollongapar
Malavika Bhattacharya
A rainy night, followed by a sunny morning is sure to bring out a huge number of the 2OO species of butterflies and moths that thrive in Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
Hunter on the Beel: The Grey-headed Fish Eagle
Species
Hunter on the Beel: The Grey-headed Fish Eagle
Sutirtha Lahiri
This majestic fish-eating raptor is easily spotted near the abundant waterbodies of Kaziranga National Park
Spotting a Mighty Troop of Stump-tailed Macaques
Species
Spotting a Mighty Troop of Stump-tailed Macaques
Narayan Sharma
Lack of competing primates and the absence of indiscriminate hunting has allowed the stump-tailed macaque population to thrive in the forests of Hollongapar
Knock on Wood: The Pygmy Woodpecker Makes an Appearance
Species
Knock on Wood: The Pygmy Woodpecker Makes an Appearance
Sanjay Sondhi
Dead and rotting wood are buffet zones for birds like the grey-capped pygmy woodpecker
Here’s why Birds Avoid the Red-spot Jezebel Butterfly
Species
Here’s why Birds Avoid the Red-spot Jezebel Butterfly
Sanjay Sondhi
It’s not predators this gorgeous butterfly needs to worry about, but invasive species of plants that are taking over our jungles
Catch a Spot of Iridescence When a Gaudy Baron Flits By
Species
Catch a Spot of Iridescence When a Gaudy Baron Flits By
Sanjay Sondhi
Amidst the whoops and calls of apes, the beatific gaudy baron butterfly is the perfect distraction
Black-necked Stork: Silent Resident of the Marshes
Species
Black-necked Stork: Silent Resident of the Marshes
Sutirtha Lahiri
This red-legged, freshwater wading bird is large and lovely, and thrives during a good monsoon
India’s Prehistoric Unicorns: The Rhinos of Kaziranga
Species
India’s Prehistoric Unicorns: The Rhinos of Kaziranga
Radhika Raj
Despite the fact that the greater one-horned rhino is testament to India’s most successful conservation, this fierce, fragile pachyderm and its habitat are under constant threat
Grasslands are the Eastern Swamp Deer’s Only Domain
Species
Grasslands are the Eastern Swamp Deer’s Only Domain
Radhika Raj
Selective about feeding and breeding exclusively in swamp-ridden, riverside grasslands, this subspecies of barasingha needs this habitat for survival
Lion-tailed Macaque: Acrobats of the Upper Canopy
Species
Lion-tailed Macaque: Acrobats of the Upper Canopy
Trisha Gupta
Don’t be fooled by the name or the sharp canines, the endangered lion-tailed macaque is a shy, fruit-eating primate that inhabits the upper canopy of the rainforests of the Western Ghats
High Life: Gliding Frogs of the Western Ghats
Species
High Life: Gliding Frogs of the Western Ghats
Dr Seshadri KS
Four endemic species of gliding frogs live, love, and leap in the trees and ponds of the Western Ghats.
Frogfish, the Camouflaged Killer of the Deep
Species
Frogfish, the Camouflaged Killer of the Deep
Umeed Mistry
The frogfish is a speed demon, a master of disguise and ambush, and presents a fascinating study in adaptation
Buzz and Snap: A Gharial in the Bend of the River
Species
Buzz and Snap: A Gharial in the Bend of the River
Nanditha Chandraprakash
This fish-eating crocodile, with a pot on its long snout, struggles for survival in the rivers of the Indian subcontinent
Birding Star: The Great Indian Hornbill
Species
Birding Star: The Great Indian Hornbill
Pooja Gupta
Sighting these majestic birds in the wild is a rare joy
Dholes: The Fearless Communal Pack Hunters
Species
Dholes: The Fearless Communal Pack Hunters
Even tigers are wary of the Indian wild dog, yet their survival is seriously threatened
Fan-Throated Lizards: A Flash of Fabulous
Species
Fan-Throated Lizards: A Flash of Fabulous
Vineeth Mario Vincent
This ground-dwelling lizard, that lives in India’s arid scrubland, displays its unique dewlap to communicate, intimidate, and show-off
Furry and Feisty the Desert Fox Endures
Species
Furry and Feisty the Desert Fox Endures
Riccha Paul
Dhritiman Mukherjee
The petite white-footed fox is a true survivor in the harsh conditions of the desert
Lessons in Love (and Housekeeping) from the Malabar Trogon
Species
Lessons in Love (and Housekeeping) from the Malabar Trogon
It takes two to build a happy home
Bewitching Butterflies Take Wing
Species
Bewitching Butterflies Take Wing
Pooja Gupta
Several species of India’s milkweed butterflies migrate hundreds of kilometres to avoid the onslaught of the southwest monsoon in the Western Ghats
Moon Jellyfish: A Surreal Stinger
Species
Moon Jellyfish: A Surreal Stinger
Umeed Mistry
Floating rhythmically in the water like a translucent spaceship, the moon jellyfish is one of the ocean’s great survivors
Victims of a Vile Trade, Pangolins are Almost Extinct
Species
Victims of a Vile Trade, Pangolins are Almost Extinct
Vineeth Mario Vincent
Illogical and unscientific beliefs make this shy mammal’s scales highly prized by poachers. It’s time to stop the massacre
Red Panda, the Cuddly Asian Bamboo Eater
Species
Red Panda, the Cuddly Asian Bamboo Eater
It’s cute as a kitten and agile as an acrobat, but the red panda is an elusive creature that’s very hard to spot
Blend in to Survive, Says the Red-Wattled Lapwing
Species
Blend in to Survive, Says the Red-Wattled Lapwing
Nanditha Chandraprakash
One of the many fascinating birds that call our forests home
How the Common Palm Squirrel Earned its Stripes
Species
How the Common Palm Squirrel Earned its Stripes
Vineeth Mario Vincent
From helping snake catchers to building bridges, the three-striped palm squirrel has a long history of helping out
Nicobar Pigeon: Birds of the Paradise Isles
Species
Nicobar Pigeon: Birds of the Paradise Isles
Sustain Team
DNA evidence establishes that the ground-dwelling Nicobar pigeon, with its glistening mantle, is a country cousin of the extinct dodo