Species
All you need to know about creatures large and small
328 Species
Asian Koels: The Songsters of Summer
In the summer months, the koel calls out day and night, from the dense foliage of trees it hides in. While some urban dwellers find the calls “annoying”, artists, poets, birdwatchers and researchers have long been fascinated with this shy, vocal bird
Oriental Magpie-robin: The Tropical Maestro
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
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
With superhero-like vision and strength and lightning-fast movements, mantis shrimp are formidable marine predators
Dashing Damselflies: Aerialists in an Arthropod Circus
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
Although confined to small, fragmented savanna patches, foxes persist in some grasslands in Gujarat’s Surendranagar district
Ibisbill in Kashmir: Where Boulders Have Wings
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
To see lions on safari is good luck, but sometimes Gir lets you strike the jackpot
An Ode to Sponges
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Colourful, sex-changing, sand-pooping fish that feed on algae and keep coral reefs healthy
Plain Mountain Finches in Sleet and Snow
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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)
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
These small corvids, with conspicuous white eyes, are social creatures that live and forage in flocks
Butterflyfish in a Coral Garden
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
Boxfishes have a fully loaded arsenal of defences against predators, including an armour and lethal poisons
Bulbuls: Play on Merry Minstrels
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
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
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
These ancient animals have been an essential part of healthy reef ecosystems for millions of years
Peafowl Tales: Flamboyant Trains and Screeching Calls
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
Though these nocturnal beauties are non-venomous, when threatened, they may rise menacingly and strike
Dwindling Dugongs: Meandering Trails in Seagrass Meadows
Exploring the world and habits of the tiny population of dugongs remaining in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Cosy Colonies of Wondrous, Wily Weavers
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
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
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
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
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
An avid birder describes some close encounters with the once abundant but now dwindling species
Himalayan Monal: Monarch of the High Mountains
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
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
Elusive and endangered, the Irrawaddy dolphin inhabits a delicate ecosystem in coastal Odisha
Walking with Mudskippers: A Fish That’s Happy Out of Water
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Sighting this threatened, elusive pheasant of the Himalayas requires persistence; but it’s patience well rewarded
The Corvid Mafiosi: Intelligentsia of the Bird World
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
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
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
Armed with a S-shaped neck and dagger-like bill, these herons are accomplished fishers
Nicobar Treeshrew: Squeaking Spy and Forest Alarmist
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
This cute, furry animal is an endangered species and a conservation icon in waiting
Wild and Free: Where the Rock Bees Roam
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
In a fragile, subterranean world of absolute darkness, fascinating life forms emerge
Fishing Friends: Irrawaddy Dolphins and the Fishers of Chilika Lagoon
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
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
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
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
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
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
Though worshipped, venerated, vilified, adored, and feared, this snake isn’t quite understood
Indian Paradise Flycatcher: Flash Dance of the Glam King
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
Endemic to the Andaman Islands this gecko has learnt to adapt and thrive on banana plantations
Humpback Mahseer: Big Fish in a Small World
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
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
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
Why does this sweet, unassuming bird have the ominous nickname “butcherbird”?
Ruby-tailed Hawklet: Black Dragon in Red Shorts
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
Tiny tots with sharp curved bills, these dazzling extroverts frequent urban gardens to feed on nectar
Indian Rat Snake: Nature’s Own Pest Control
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
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
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
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
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
These elusive wild predators are not found in jungles, but in scrubland and grasslands adjacent to human habitation
The Genius Octopus: Programmed to Deceive
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
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
Migratory gulls are elegant, graceful birds, until they spot someone with a delicious snack
Frabjous Flamingos: Haughty Ballerinas of the Wetlands
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
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
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
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
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
These enigmatic seed dispersers have inadvertently modified their island home over the years to suit their needs
Chousingha: The Shy Four-horned Antelope
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?
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Exploring three distinct species of mountain ungulates, traditionally labeled tahrs, from the mountains of Asia
Saltwater Crocodile: Dragons of the Sundarbans Swamps
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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
The pangolin has survived millennia on Earth, but can it survive the 21st century?
Painted Sandgrouse: The Art of Blending In
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Relatively unknown, elusive, and utterly beautiful, the fishing cat is among the mangroves’ most spectacular animals
Blackbuck Beauties at the Point of Protection
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Tiny, cute, and highly adaptable, the pika survives freezing temperatures and a host of predators
Hop, Skip, Run: The Hardy Pikas of Ladakh
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
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
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
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
A peanut-sized jumping spider called Portia concocts complex strategies to catch its prey
Out of Favour: Prayer for a Mantis
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
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
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
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
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
In the world of reptiles, boundaries between predator and prey are sometimes blurred
When Elephants Rage
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
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
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
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
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
These cute, furry rodents of Ladakh are inadvertent ecosystem engineers
Short-eared Owl: Hidden Winter Resident of the Grasslands
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
How a melodious call in Amboli led to a research paper on an amphibian in the Western Ghats
Chinkara: The Dainty Desert Ballerina
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
In a polluted, concrete and plastic-ridden city, a resilient sunbird couple builds and rebuilds their home
Hornbills of India: Encounters to Remember
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
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
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
Searching for the elusive Tibetan wolf, in the Changthang Plateau of Ladakh
The Trickster of the Desert: Greater Hoopoe Lark
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
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
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
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
A close look at a lesser-known Himalayan carnivore and its prey
Bearded Vulture: The Marrow-Minded Raptor
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
How conservationists brought the pygmy hog back from the brink of extinction
Malabar Grey Hornbills: Gardeners of the Rainforest
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
How does the cannibalistic, snake-eating king cobra manage to multiply and survive?
Malabar Pit Viper: Ambush in the Well of Life and Death
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
This tiny graceful ape, hangs on to one of the last protected bastions of its native habitat
The Stump-tailed Macaques of Hollongapar
On the scent of elusive primates in the forests of Assam’s Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary
Rare Black-breasted Parrotbills Hide in the Grasslands
This elusive little bird, found exclusively in Northeast India, is on every birdwatcher’s wish list
Wings of Wonder: Butterflies of Hollongapar
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
This majestic fish-eating raptor is easily spotted near the abundant waterbodies of Kaziranga National Park
Spotting a Mighty Troop of Stump-tailed Macaques
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
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
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
Amidst the whoops and calls of apes, the beatific gaudy baron butterfly is the perfect distraction
Black-necked Stork: Silent Resident of the Marshes
This red-legged, freshwater wading bird is large and lovely, and thrives during a good monsoon
India’s Prehistoric Unicorns: The Rhinos of Kaziranga
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
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
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
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
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
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
Sighting these majestic birds in the wild is a rare joy
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
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
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
It takes two to build a happy home
Bewitching Butterflies Take Wing
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
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
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
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
One of the many fascinating birds that call our forests home
How the Common Palm Squirrel Earned its Stripes
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
DNA evidence establishes that the ground-dwelling Nicobar pigeon, with its glistening mantle, is a country cousin of the extinct dodo