Wild Vault
The weird, wacky, and wonderful side of India's wildlife
178 Wild Vault
Zoo in a Stem: The Food-and-Shelter-for-Protection Exchange
While numerous invertebrates shelter in the hollow stem structures of Humboldtia brunonis (kaadu Ashoka) trees, ants have a special reciprocal relationship with them, bartering shelter and nectar for protection from caterpillars and other insects who eat the tree’s tender leaves and buds
Himalayan Guardian Dogs: Unsung Sentinels of the Shepherds of the Himalayas
By protecting livestock from predators, Himalayan guardian dogs create a secure and safe environment for Gaddi shepherds as they graze their livestock in the summer. The shepherd-dog partnership shows how a traditional, non-lethal practice has facilitated safe cohabitation and coexistence of humans and wild creatures in this shared landscape
SARPA – An App That Saves Lives
This innovative tech intervention, accessible to anyone with a smartphone, streamlines snake rescue efforts and minimises human-wildlife conflict
How Ancient Koli Wisdom is Informing Marine Science in Mumbai
For centuries, Mumbai’s Koli fisherfolk have stewarded its waters using traditional ecological knowledge passed down through the generations. As the city faces threats from climate change and coastal development, scientists and conservationists are increasingly recognising that Koli wisdom is critical to understanding and protecting its fragile marine ecosystems
Exploring Upper Siang: A Story of Wildlife, Community, and Conservation
Discovering birds and butterflies through a community-led initiative in the village of Gobuk provides hope for the conservation of the rich biodiversity of Arunachal Pradesh’s Upper Siang landscape
When Golden Jackals Swim Across the Karli River
In southern Maharashtra, jackals swim from the mangrove-lined riverine Hopkins Island where they live, across the Karli River, to the mainland and back
What Woodpeckers are Telling Us, and Why it’s Important
Few bird groups are so intimately dependent on forests as woodpeckers. The significant decline of several woodpecker species is a signal that we need to do more to conserve our forests and biodiversity
Figs and Fig Wasps: Microcosmic Partners in Love or Frenemies?
Wasps and cluster figs are pollinating partners. Without them, figs cannot transport pollen between trees, while young wasps cannot survive outside the figs. Then come the gallers, enemies of both figs and pollinators and directly competing with them for space and nutrition
Himalayan Pikas' Winter Plans Dependent on Weather
Research reveals that Ladakh and Nubra pikas, each with distinct ‘personalities’, wait for specific weather cues before food caching, at the same time, exhibit significant differences in the size and structure of their haypiles
The Wild Elephants of the Andaman Islands
Elephants introduced to the Andaman Islands escaped captivity or were released into the jungle on occasions. These feral elephants are now found on Interview Island and North Andaman
Easy Riders: Cruising with the Currents
The ocean is constantly moving drifters like jellies, comb jellies, salps, as well as trash, between sites, regions, and across the world
Ornament, Armament, and Aggression: The Forgotten Beauty of Females
The current evolutionary understanding of sexual selection explains male traits and tendencies as competition for reproductive opportunities. Female extravagance, however, does not completely fit this narrative
Observation as an Antidote to Intolerance
When curiosity replaces fear, a whole new world opens up
Birding Around the Salt Pans of Tuticorin
The nutrient-rich, shallow waters of the salt pans of Thoothukudi are interspersed with vegetation, forming a unique habitat that attracts a vast range of birds
Delicate Balance: Agro-pastoral Life in the Spiti Valley
In the fragile ecological landscape of the high Himalayas in Spiti, local communities have found sustainable ways of encouraging tourism and generating livelihoods that are respectful of the environment and local culture
Narcondam Hornbill: Tale of a Rescue
Memories of a chance encounter with the endemic Narcondam hornbill in a dense forest of an isolated tropical island in the southern Bay of Bengal
Local Rituals Pay Tribute to Muggers Despite Present-day Trials
The annual Maange Thapnee ritual in Ponda, Goa, is an agrarian tradition symbolising the relationship between people and muggers, highlighting the cultural significance of coexistence
Species No Bar for Langurs
Primatologists are finding increased evidence of mixed species associations and hybridisation between Nilgiri and Hanuman langurs in the Western Ghats
The Nutcracker Suite: Fish that Use Tools to Crack Open Shells
The use of tools is not limited to primates and birds. Observers have recorded fish, like wrasses, using corals as anvils to break open and eat juicy sea urchins in Lakshadweep
Remembering Sultanpur: Birding for the Soul
A birder reminisces about spending quality time with the astonishing variety of birds that graced Sultanpur Lake and sanctuary in the 80s and 90s
Botanists and Barberies, Palms and Patwas
A group of scientists were looking for rare, endemic, and endangered plants in the Kumaon, to learn about their habitat and geographic distribution, which could also provide clues to their evolutionary origins. Sometimes, they found answers, sometimes not
A Botanical Pilgrimage in the Kumaon Hills
In Uttarakhand, a group of scientists go looking for rare plants in order to gain insights into the distribution of moist and dry habitats in the Himalayas
Turbid Seas: A Soup of Minerals and Marine Wonders
Turbid waters represent the ocean in flux as living organisms and abiotic elements are churned around by tides, currents, and waves in a delicate balance that sustains complex lives and processes
Subtle Showstoppers: Bowled Over by the Monitors in My Yard
Their ancient aura and irreplaceable swagger intact, udumbus or common monitor lizards have proliferated in a little village in Kerala’s backwaters
Palash: An Account of the Flame of the Forest
Fortune, fate, and a peek into the bevvy of springtime visitors that throng the blossoms of the flame of the forest tree
Stigmas in Research Revealed as Study Finds More Animals Showing Same-sex Behaviour
Researchers note that stigmas have long prevented scientists from investigating same-sex sexual behaviours in animals or receiving funding to carry out such studies
Birding from a Balcony in Goa
Magpie robins sing, raptors vie for bycatch from fishers’ nets, graceful paradise catchers take a quick dip in the pool — all is well for the avian residents of this tourist haven
Does Wildlife Thrive When Human Settlements are Moved Out of a Forest?
An examination of how relocating human settlements from protected areas affects forests and wildlife in Satpura Tiger Reserve
Into the Great Wide Open: Dolphins and Whales of the Bay of Bengal
A group of researchers traverses the Andhra Pradesh coastline to document the cetaceans, dolphins and whales, that live in these waters
Children of the Big River
The Brahmaputra River defines the stories of the origin, emergence, conflicts, and regeneration of the Dimasa community of Assam. Storytelling and mythmaking help them connect with the natural and spiritual worlds around them
Standing Tall: African Baobabs in Mumbai
Scattered across Mumbai city, these African giants have been on the Indian subcontinent for centuries. How did they get here, and what’s so special about them?
High Altitude Passerines in Uttarakhand
Making memories with four species of passerines: red-billed leiothrix, bar-tailed treecreepers, chestnut-winged minlas, and Eurasian wrens
Ways of Seeing: Watching Wildlife From Near and Far
On the ground, in nearby bushes, or on faraway trees and mountain slopes, observing nature from different perspectives, you’ll find magic in every vantage point
Asian Giant Hornets: Beyond the Sting
In Nagaland, edible insects like the Asian giant hornet are an ethnic delicacy and are used as both food and medicine
Wayanad: A Summer Destination for Elephants
The Wayanad plateau witnesses high footfall of elephants in summer compared to the surrounding areas in the Nilgiri landscape, a new study finds
When a Tree Falls in the Forest, Fungi Hear It
As key players in the afterlife of trees, fungi are the most important decomposers of wood
Night Vision of Rock Bees
Researchers find bee species Apis dorsata to have nocturnal colour vision, debunking the earlier belief that all honeybees are diurnal and that nocturnal pollination is largely led by olfactory senses
Two Leaves and the Birds: Notes from Tea Gardens of the Dooars
Observations of unexpected behaviours in the tea gardens of North Bengal
How Do Tigers, Leopards and Dholes Share Resources?
A new study that examined intraguild interactions among tigers, leopards and dholes revealed a clear social hierarchy with tigers dominating, followed by dholes and then leopards
The Mystery Behind Ants Carrying Flowers
Uncovering an ant housing colony’s little secret while observing their organised silent army at a doorstep microhabitat
Bangalore University Campus: The Unsung Carbon Sink
Accessible to the public, the 1,200-acre campus with over five lakh trees is Bangalore’s unnoticed green lung
Elephants and Fences: Intelligence and Ingenuity
The personal story of a middle-aged makhna (tuskless bull elephant) named Dushtu and his attempts to help himself to the paddy crops in Panijhora, a forest village in the Himalayan foothills of West Bengal
Art Expedition: On the Trail of the Great Indian Bustard
Wildlife artist Sangeetha Kadur illustrates the critically endangered bustard, and its neighbours, in Rajasthan’s Desert National Park
Orphaned Calves: Paying the Price of Human-elephant Conflict
Elephant calves are sometimes the casualties in the tussle for space between humans and elephants. While some orphaned calves are accepted back into their herds, many young ones find it difficult to survive in the wild without their mothers who died from electrocution or other accidents.
Khaliya Top: A Bird’s-eye View of Birds
Birding at an altitude of ~3,700 m in Uttarakhand’s Munsiyari region presents a top-down perspective and a chance to consider the incredible biodiversity of the alpine zone
Where the Mind is Without Fear: Stories of Coexistence in Shared Landscapes
Across the country, indigenous communities often have unique sets of cultural and religious beliefs connected to sharing living spaces with wild animals. Modern practices, too, need to integrate traditional ecological knowledge into the study of conservation and coexistence
A Tale of One City and Two Trees
Learning to live in and love Delhi with the help of two botanical companions — the devil tree and the African sausage tree
Hope and Biodiversity on the Andaman Islands
Exciting biological discoveries from the Andaman Islands reveal new species, new behaviours, and new threats to be wary of. In all likelihood, many more secrets wait to be uncovered
Amazing Grace: The Regal Chinars of Kashmir
Come late autumn, the stately chinars of Kashmir are radiant as their leaves flare out in various shades of red, orange, crimson, and yellow
The Ghost Tree: Courting the Frozen Dancer in the Forest
The enigmatic ghost tree with its smooth grey-white bark strikes a graceful pose as it stands in solitude on rocky, eroded forest slopes
Shared Spaces: On the IISER Campus in Kerala
Discovering the art of chasing wildlife on a lush 200-acre educational campus a few hours from Thiruvananthapuram
Why Do Some Plants Bloom and Die Together?
During mass flowering events, certain species of plants allocate resources towards producing vast amounts of seeds to ensure the pollination and survival of the next generation, before dying.
Elephants are Choosy When it Comes to Food
A study in northern West Bengal found that elephants are selective with their diet, feeding on approximately 130 species of plants among the 286 that were recorded.
Sattal is a Paradise for Birders, But What About the Birds?
A morning walk on the lovely trails near Sattal is a wonderful way to spend time in the company of different birds. Let’s keep the experience as natural and ethical as possible
Biodiversity Hotspot: Walking Through Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Though tigers roam Tamil Nadu’s river sanctuary and its many habitats, it’s the tiny buds and creepy crawlies that reign supreme when it comes to diversity and abundance
The Story of the Translocated African Lions of Kuno
Few know that in 1906, long before the cheetah went extinct in India, another big cat translocation took place in the Central Indian forests of Gwalior state
Most Valuable Players of the Monsoon in the Western Ghats
When the rains arrive in the Western Ghats, one of the world’s most biodiverse habitats, a range of herpetofauna come out to play, creating an orchestra of sounds
Colourful Company: Where the Wildflowers Bloom
Flowers may bloom in untended spaces and are ignored or considered weeds and removed. Perhaps we can let them be and encourage them as we do manicured gardens
My Space: When Lynx Spiders Find Their Niche
How do different lynx spiders share and negotiate living in the same microhabitat?
Lianas: The Woody Climbers of the Forest
Ignored for long, these climbers are slowly beginning to be noticed
Hide and Seek: On the Scent of a Leopard in Tiger Country
When spots, not stripes, steal the show on a safari through Bandipur Tiger Reserve
Intimate Connections: Falling in Love With a Walking Trail
A naturalist reminisces about familiar walking paths through national parks like Satpura in Madhya Pradesh and the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu cement his relationship with the wilderness and give him a deep spiritual connection to the places
Enchanted Forest: Ode to the Old Sal Community
A sal tree never lives alone. It grows with many of its kind to create contiguous forests across hundreds of kilometres, nurturing everything that falls within its care
Three’s No Longer a Crowd for Sarus Cranes
According to a new study, these formerly monogamous birds are now forming trios to raise their chicks
Golden Jackal: Resourceful Canids in Tezu Botanical Garden
Occupying a wide range of habitats in India, these wild omnivores are good hunters, but also live near large human settlements where they scavenge at dumpsites
Anaimalai Roadblock: On the Trail of a Tusker
A majestic elephant that has been migrating through forest patches in the foothills of Anaimalai hills for many years suddenly faces an obstacle
Arachnophobia: Untangling the Web of Dislike
Is our fear of spiders a phobia or an unfamiliarity with nature? Is getting creeped out or feeling disgust with them shaped by experience and social learning?
The Dzüleke Way of Life: Time Machine to a Green Future
A small village in Nagaland provides hope for the well-being of the planet — one that is more humane, inclusive, and sustainable
Culture Shapes Community Conservation in Nagaland
In this traditional Naga community, knowledge about forests, flora, and fauna acquired through centuries of living amidst nature creates a strong sense of responsibility towards protecting it for its own sake
The Mysterious Migration of Crimson Rose Butterflies
A recently observed migration of a large swarm of crimson rose butterflies from India to Sri Lanka has highlighted how little is still known about this natural phenomenon
The Living Root Bridges of Meghalaya
These environment-friendly and possibly carbon-negative bridges are part of the local heritage of Meghalaya, and a fascinating example of a long-term sustainable solution to a geographical problem
Escape From the City: How I Found a Home in the Wilderness
While living in Bangalore, this nature lover longed for the wilderness. He wanted to live somewhere in the shadow of a mountain or close to a river, someplace he could soak in birdsong and monsoon rain. And he finally moved
The Spider Next Door: Non-conformists in Camouflage
Spiders can remain inconspicuous, blending seamlessly with the tree they occupy. Their cryptic posture and incredible stillness made their camouflage impeccable
Kalandar Community Left in the Lurch after Surrendering Animals
The community known for its public performances with live animals are struggling to earn a steady income after their age-old profession came to an end
Barn Owl: The Farmer’s Friendly Neighbourhood Pest Controller
Agricultural scientists are helping farmers in Assam to conserve barn owls with the help of artificial nest boxes
Fluttering to the Flame: Moths in Art, Literature, and Poetry
From hunter-gatherer rock art to post-impressionist painters, moths have captured the human imagination down the ages, and countless references to them can be found in different cultures
Frightened by A Fish
A marine biologist and diver recounts the times she’s been scared out of the ocean by unnerving encounters with different fish
The Fog Clears: Unwinding Under a Fig Tree
When time spent with family and friends in nature helped relieve some of the lingering symptoms of Covid-19
Butterfly Records Lead Arunachal Pradesh’s Biodiversity Sightings
Interest in butterfly documentation has grown over the years in the state thanks partly to an increasing number of butterfly meets held annually
Three Lions Take on a Lone Turtle. Will it Survive?
Every visit to Gir Wildlife Sanctuary throws up surprises. This time it was a chance sighting of three subadult Asiatic Lions, trying to feast on a seemingly helpless but extremely hardy Indian Flapshell Turtle
Raising Spiderlings: The Best of Jumping Spider Brood Care
Though they don’t build nests, jumping spiders are doting parents that carefully wrap their eggs in silk and stand guard to ward off predators
Common Emigrant: Tracking the Wheel of Life
When fieldwork was interrupted by a pandemic lockdown, a wildlife biologist took to observing the life cycle and progress of a new generation of common emigrant butterflies
Undertaking the World’s Longest Insect Migration
Scientists are beginning to unravel the details of the migratory circuit of the globe skimmer dragonfly
What Butterflies Taught Me about Life on a Hot, Difficult Day
Hungry caterpillars can seem like a menace in a well-tended garden, but they and their winged avatars have much to teach us about the natural world and life itself
Sundews: Shiny, Sugary Illusions in the Wild
Sundews are pretty plants with tender tentacles that have mastered the art of predation. They hoodwink insects and other arthropods and kill and consume them for their nutrients
Worlds Apart: The Dual Life of Marine Animals
In every drop of ocean water, there is an unseen, vibrant, and dynamic world. It’s a universe of minuscule creatures ranging in size from a few centimetres to near-invisible microns
An Owlsome Night Amidst the Dense Mangroves of Bhitarkanika
Screech, hoot, shriek — the diverse calls and sounds of owls are everywhere in the mangroves of Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha
Bird Housing: Rumblings in the Old Poplar Apartment Block
An unlikely tree on the edge of a sanctuary is a residential complex for numerous birds, and the scene for how survival in the wild is a mix of cooperation, conflict, and competition
Twilight Zone: A Tale Between Two Tides
When the tide heads out, the shallow watery plains come alive with many surprises from fuzzy little hairy crabs to the nervous blennies, and algal patches host various creatures from gastropods to a league of hunters like octopuses and eels
Lightning and I: Encounters with a Tigress from Ranthambore
Tracking the many twists and turns in the life of a tigress from Rajasthan’s Ranthambore National Park
Life After Dark: The Night Shift on a Coral Reef
Diving once the sun has set reveals a star-studded canvas of nocturnal life that rivals what you might imagine lives in outer space
Elusive White-bellied Herons Make a Rare Appearance
In a first for India, two birds were spotted at an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level in Arunachal Pradesh
Droughts Mitigated at Lamkani through Grassland Restoration
A ban on grazing and felling of trees coupled with watershed management restores this village near Dhule to its former glory
Studying Snakes through Radio Telemetry
Emerging as an easier and more precise way to track and study snakes than traditional observation methods
Bharatpur: Memories of an Inveterate Birder
The writer reminiscences the many charms of Keoladeo Ghana and the last swansong of the Siberian crane
Tiger Story: Lost Stripes of Gujarat
This is a tale of two big cats. One was abundant in numerous districts of Gujarat up to the early 1960s, the other was almost gone. In a twist of fate, it was the creature that was plentiful that became locally extinct in the state
Delhi’s Unlikely Stopover: Finding Everything in the Middle of Nothing
Agricultural farms on the edge of Delhi may not look like picture perfect sanctuaries, but during winters they turn into essential stopovers for long-distance fliers
The Spin on the Spider’s Silk Route
The protein fibre produced by spiders has multiple intriguing uses beyond the building of webs
Jungle Sleuth: Wild Encounters and Animal Signs
Tracking wild animals based on the secondary evidence they leave behind — from pugmarks to dung piles and scrape marks
Parenting Lessons From the Sea
Marine creatures make exemplary parents. A look at the top childrearing strategies that set some critters apart from the rest
A Bug’s Life: The Ant Question Hour
These tiny creatures rescue their injured friends and weather storms. A peek into some of the mysteries and intriguing behaviours of the ant world
Foraging Food: Eating Wild in the Andaman Islands
Eating from the forest, opens up the palate, but also brings up questions of how modern cultures have lost the knowledge of ancient foods that connect people and the land
Why Woodpeckers Peck the Largest Trees
According to a study conducted in Uttarakhand, woodpeckers prefer to forage on large trees which offer more food. Removal of large trees could affect their numbers
Growing With the Flow: The River Pamba and I
How childhood swimming lessons in Thalavady’s Pamba river revealed secrets of Kerala’s backwaters, and introduced the writer to wonders of the wild
Feathered Folklore: Birds and Their Amazing Avatars
From heroic acts to saviours of mankind, birds are important characters in legend, folklore, and mythology
Fish Discovered in Kerala may have Lived with the Last Dinosaurs
Genetically distinct from other snakehead fish worldwide, the Gollum snakehead is a living fossil, say scientists
High and Dry: The Gradual Erosion of Ladakh’s ‘Dry Toilet’ Culture
Burgeoning tourism is pressurising locals in Ladakh to construct water-based toilets that are unsuited for its freezing terrain and only add to its water woes
After Dark: The Lives of Nocturnal Animals
These creatures of the night rest during the day and wander through the forest, hunt, and eat when it’s lights out
Plants as Parasites: Connecting to the Host with the Most
Using specialised structures, parasitic plants tap into the root system of specific host trees to draw water and nutrition
Champions of Chomp: Skilled Hunters with the Strongest Jaws
A formidable set of teeth is not unusual in the animal kingdom, but some creatures can literally bite a head off
Creative Collectives: When Creatures Band Together
When it’s a gathering of crocodiles or an assembly of owls, there are unique collective nouns that are suited to each group of critters
Whale Fall: Food Bonanza on the Ocean Floor
When a whale dies, its carcass sinks to the bottom and generates an energy-rich underwater ecosystem supporting a multitude of marine creatures and communities
A Robin and a Warbler: Migrants on a Volcanic Island
The appearance of two unrecognisable birds on Narcondam Island in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago sets off a chain of investigation
Five Chandrapur Tigers Make a Thermal Power Station their Home
The striped cats have been roaming freely in the power station since the past four to five years, and frequenting nearby residential areas
Scavenger Hunt: Hail the Clean-up Crew
By consuming decaying matter, creatures that scavenge play an important role in the ecosystem. They keep the environment clean, contain disease, and help recycle nutrients
How Local Communities Help Conserve the Snow Leopard
Community-led initiatives in Ladakh’s Sham Valley have deterred the ‘revenge killing’ of snow leopards and encouraged locals to participate in their conservation
How Scavengers Keep the Ecosystem Clean
Vultures and other scavengers not only clear decaying animal corpses, protecting us from disease, but their absence could also destabilise entire ecosystems
The Art of Dying: Senescence in Leaves
The death of leaves is really an active recycling of nutrients and energy, accompanied by a splendid display of colours
Tea Time with My Friend the Rock Agama
If you’re near a forested rocky area in the lower elevations of the Himalayas, look out for a variety of agamid lizards
Fallen Flowers: Restoring Wild Orchids in the Western Ghats
Education, conservation and community go hand in hand in an educational experiment on restoring orchids in Vythiri, Kerala
Striped Sisters Lead Conservation in Sariska
The two sister tigers, ST-9 and ST-10, were relocated to Sariska tiger reserve in 2013 and have till date contributed significantly in building up the tiger population in the reserve
The Gallant Tiger: Faithful Unto Death
A 19th-century story of a tiger who lost his life in defence of his master in the highlands of central India
In Search of a Panacea: Herb Collection in the Himalayas
Himalayan medicinal plants and herbs play an important role in the ecosystem, and in the lives of the humans and animals that live in the region
Why Human-nature Relationships are Complicated
When large and potentially dangerous carnivores are involved, the relationship between humans and nature becomes complex
Inhaling the Scents of a Forest
Smells and fragrances of the natural world change with the seasons, some trigger old memories, others create new ones
Lockdown Lessons in Human-Animal Coexistence
Will the environmental tranquillity resulting from the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown really help wildlife?
Periyar Tiger Reserve, Trendsetter in Converting Poachers to Protectors
Vidiyal Vanapathukappu Sangam, India’s first participatory forest management project comprising solely of former poachers and sandalwood smugglers, completes 17 years of conservation in Periyar Tiger Reserve of Kerala
A Forest of Folklore: Myths, Gods, and the Many Faces of the Tiger
How culture, traditions and gods of the Sundarbans are inseparable and intertwined with the forest and its most charismatic creature the swamp tiger
Sights and Sounds from the Tree Canopy
Exploring the last biological frontier, the treetops in Tamil Nadu’s Kalakad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve
Fishy Phenomena: Sex on the Reef
Sex changes and massive mating gatherings have never been taboo for coral reef creatures. And fish couples, although common, are rarely monogamous
Going Solo: Loners of the Wild
A solitary existence is the preferred way of life for many creatures of the Indian wilderness
Dismantling a Misnomer: Do Fallen Leaves Litter?
A source of rich nutrients, the padding of leaves on the forest floor conceals a busy ecosystem
When Nature Repurposes: Lessons from Velavadar
While we are only just catching up on the importance of recycling to help our planet, the natural world is many seasons ahead of us
When Common Birds are No Longer Common
According to a recent report, birds in India are seeing a steep decline. Several critically endangered ones are not doing so well. But surprisingly, the more commons birds that were once widely found, are seeing a sharp drop too
On a Wing: Titli Utsavs in Uttarakhand
Butterfly and moth festivals in Uttarakhand open up new vistas for nature lovers and encourage the appreciation and conservation of lesser-known species
Matchbox Art: Kindling the Fire to Save Endangered Birds
“The Burning Birds of India” project mixes art and conservation to draw attention to the plight of the country’s endangered birds
Masters of Disguise: Blue Oakleaf Butterfly
A dried leaf fluttering on a tree trunk in the tropical rainforests of the Western Ghats could well be the masquerade of a brilliant blue butterfly
Did You Know? Starfish and How They Regenerate
The star of the ocean — which can regrow lost body parts, including organs — is best observed from a distance
Arribada: The Mystery of the Olive Ridley Turtle Migration
How do these gentle sea creatures navigate thousands of kilometres to find the beach where they were born?
Why Do Fireflies Glow?
What causes the belly of the firefly to glow?
Every Creature Embraces its Unique Sleep Habits
Hitting the hay isn’t the same for every living being, some doze for a short spell, while others are only awake for a tiny part of their day
A Sight to Behold: Bending the Rules of Biology
One pair of eyes is not the norm for these unique creatures with incredible peepers
Bats and Moths: Evolution and the Relationship of Predator and Prey
Predator bats and the moths they prey on continue to evolve and adapt to suit their survival needs
Do Not Touch: Toxin Generating Sea Creatures from India’s Coasts
Some sea creatures have evolved effective ways of thwarting predators. They spew venom or emit deadly toxins to fend off the unwanted
The Curious Case of the Scorpion in the Night-time
Humans may be terrified of the scorpion’s sting, but some scientists are now fascinated by the potential its venom presents
Masters of Disguise: Indian Nightjar
Merging seamlessly into its surroundings, the Indian nightjar rests and nests on the ground, camouflaged against the rocks, soil, and leaf litter
Living Fossils: Old-World Creatures in the Wild
Some of Earth’s critters haven’t changed much in millions of years. Say hello to a few.
The Vilified Hyena is an Agile and Intelligent Creature
Though portrayed as cunning and cowardly, the hyena is actually a smart and cooperative scavenger, who cleans up the environment and contains the spread of disease
Leaps and Bounds: The Fascinating Frog World of Agumbe
A variety of amphibians reveal themselves on a night trail through the monsoon forests of Agumbe
Why You Need to Take Shit Seriously
While humans often track and identify animals by their droppings, for many animals just a sniff of dung can convey a whole lot of important information
Masters of Disguise: Snow Leopard
Quietly concealing itself in rocky crevices, the snow leopard merges perfectly with its surroundings in the high-altitudes of the Himalayas
Fly on Little Wings: A Guide to India’s Butterfly Parks
Butterfly gardens and parks are not exotic locations in unique surroundings, you can create one in your home
Mapping Mysterious Reptiles in Misty Meghamalai
For four years, five researchers travelled through dense forests, waded through streams, risked attacks from leopards and enraged elephants to record the rich herpetofauna of Meghamalai, Tamil Nadu’s rain-soaked, misty mountain range
Wise Owls and Busy Bees: Deconstructing Animal Idioms
If you’ve ever shed crocodile tears or been a cool cat or busy as a bee, stop and consider whether these phrases indicate actual animal behaviour
Glam Radar: Iridescence in the Wild
With an array of dazzling colours, some creatures wear a special shine that makes sure they stand out in a crowd
Anatomy of a King Cobra Rescue in Agumbe
Witnessing a kalinga snake being rescued, it becomes apparent that communication and cooperation are essential to conservation
A Forest to Own: Can Private Forests Bring Public Benefits?
Corporates, start-ups and non-profit organisations are investing in creating ‘private forests’ both for their own relief and to support nature, but are they the answer to the current environmental crisis?
Termites: Bane of Our Existence, or Beacon for the Future?
Some scientists believe that the termite could be the future of renewable energy
Strangers in the Night: The Beguiling World of Bats
These curious, nocturnal creatures are unnecessarily feared. They do their bit to maintain the ecosystem
Mosquitoes: Queen of Pests or Evolutionary Genius?
Is the mosquito a buzzing nuisance or an example of nature’s masterful design? Or both?
Singing Animals In Nature’s Theatres
Sing along with these animals that produce complex, long-lasting melodies that reverberate through forests, oceans, mountains, and caves
Gender Fluid: Bending the Rules
In the animal kingdom gender mobility, asexual reproduction, and a variety of other shifting sex and gender patterns are an essential part of survival
Canny Crocodiles: Our Planet’s Oldest Living Creatures
It’s no surprise that crocs have been around for millions of years. These intelligent creatures continue to be the apex predator in nearly every landscape they inhabit
Conspiracy Theory: Ravens Make us Rethink What Counts as Intelligence
Regarded as a bad omen in some cultures, ravens are well loved in others. One thing’s for sure though, they are truly fascinating creatures
Predators Beware: Species in Battle-Ready Armour
Shells, quills, and scales are helpful adaptations that protect creatures from predators
Life in Lakhipur, on the Fringe of the Forest
Animals know no borders. When you live on the edge of the forest, the animals will sometimes come a visiting
The Woodcarvers of Kaziranga Cut Through Stereotypes
Local artisans near Assam’s Kaziranga National Park say their wildlife-inspired woodcraft is an expression of their love for the forests’ creatures, and counters stereotypes of tribal people as antagonistic to conservation
Wildlife Warriors: The Guardians of Kaziranga Brave On
Under conditions of extreme hardship, the protectors of Kaziranga battle numerous challenges to ensure the safety and security of the animals and the park
How Bus Stands in Kali Reserve Got Their Groove Back
When art and nature meet, the result can be quite eye-catching
Microhabitats and Other Secrets of Life Under a Rock
The ground beneath an everyday rock can shelter a whole community of insects, reptiles, and amphibians in a microhabitat
Not Just Jaws: Shark Facts Fresh from Indian Seas
Docile zebra sharks are as conspicuous as aggressive tiger sharks, and other interesting tidbits on five (of numerous) species of shark that live in Indian waters
That Worm in your Garden could be a Snake
Home gardens host a lot more biodiversity than we suspect
Folktales from Maharashtra: The Magic Ring
Animals are a necessary and integral part of everyday life in a village, according to the folk tales and art of the Warli Adivasis
The Power of Poop: Making a Case for Whale Waste
Turns out, whale poop is crucial to our planet’s marine ecosystem. Here’s why
Folktales from Maharashtra: The Mouse’s Share
An Adivasi folktale about mice and men reflects the belief system of the indigenous Warli people and affords a conservation lesson for all
Moray Eels: Delightful or Deadly?
Lightning fast moray eels with their razor sharp teeth look scarier than they are
Older Than Dinosaurs: The Real Rock Stars of Hyderabad
The next time you’re in the city, make time for the ancients
Love and Longing of the Red Velvet Mite
Monsoon brings high drama for the biggest member of the mite family