Seven Iconic Wild Animals Found In Rajasthan And Where To See Them

A desert fox mum suckling its babies. Image credit: Sumeet Moghe via Wikimedia Commons.

When talking about Rajasthan, people mostly think of vast stretches of lifeless sand dunes or royal cities with grand palaces and havelis. However, the state hosts a wide variety of ecosystems, from the forests of Ranthambhore to the grasslands of the Thar Desert and the raw desert itself. Biodiversity thrives everywhere in the state. Even its seemingly lifeless habitats are full of life. So, from across Rajasthan, here are seven iconic species you must see.

Indian Tiger

A reclining tiger in Ranthambhore National Park. Image credit: LuisVilla via Wikimedia Commons.

Talk about watching tigers (Panthera tigris tigris) in India, and the name of Ranthambhore Tiger Reserve appears at the top of the list. This protected area of Rajasthan is known for offering great tiger sightings, thanks to the sparse vegetation during the dry seasons of summer and winter, which allows one to see long distances through the forest. Photographers also seek the opportunity to capture a tiger’s photo amid the ancient ruins of historical forts and gateways in Ranthambhore. The Sariska Tiger Reserve nearby also houses tigers. Overall, the state is home to around 88 tigers.

Great Indian Bustard

A Great Indian Bustard. Image credit: Prajwalkm via Wikimedia Commons.

Rajasthan’s Thar Desert grasslands remain one of the world’s last places that house the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) or Ardeotis nigriceps. This primarily ground-dwelling bird can be seen in the Desert National Park and adjoining areas in the state’s Jaisalmer District. The GIB faces many threats, including collisions with overhead power lines, loss of grasslands due to overgrazing, agricultural expansion, encroachment by human settlements, the installation of solar power plants and wind turbines, and more.

Indian Desert Cat

An Indian desert cat. Image credit: Raja Bandi via Wikimedia Commons.

Roughly the size of a domestic cat, this species (Felis lybica ornata), also known as the Asiatic wildcat, can be spotted by the lucky visitor in the Desert National Park of Rajasthan and its surroundings. In India, its range extends to other arid and semi-arid areas of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. The species remains well-camouflaged in the desert habitat by virtue of its sandy-coloured coat, which has small black spots. The tail has a black tip and black rings. The ears are long and pointed. Its coat colour is known to vary with its habitat. In Rajasthan, its primary prey is the Indian desert jird.

Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard

A spiny-tailed lizard. Image credit: Muhammad Musab Malik via Wikimedia Commons.

It is a threatened reptile found in the Thar Desert of Rajasthan. The species Saara hardwickii is predominantly herbivorous and feeds on the flowers, fruits, and seeds of local plants. In the ecosystem, it plays a major role as food for raptors and other birds. The lizard is a threatened species, listed as “Vulnerable” on the IUCN Red List. It is poached by the locals for the use of its fat as an aphrodisiac.

Lesser Florican

A male lesser florican in display. Image credit: Parth Kansara via Wikimedia Commons.

Another highly threatened bird species, the critically endangered lesser florican (Sypheotides indicus), breeds in the grasslands and agricultural fields of Rajasthan’s Ajmer district. During the monsoon, male lesser floricans perform their unique courtship display, jumping several feet into the air and making characteristic sounds to attract the female. Unfortunately, only a few individuals of this species survive today. Time is almost running out for the lesser floricans who suffer from many threats like habitat loss and degradation, poaching, power line collision, predation by feral dogs, nest trampling or destruction by humans and agricultural procedures, etc.

Chinkara

Chinkara from Jorbeer, Rajasthan. Image credit: Mvshreeram via Wikimedia Commons.

This dainty-looking antelope, also called the Indian gazelle (Gazella bennettii) is found across grasslands and shrublands in Rajasthan’s arid to semi-arid areas. They can be found near Bishnoi villages and farmlands, as the Bishnoi community is a strong protector of blackbucks, chinkaras, and other local wildlife. Chinkaras are usually found alone or in small groups. Sometimes, larger groups of 8 to 10 individuals are seen. They usually feed after sunset. They have a reddish-buff coloured coat with a white belly and throat.

Desert Fox

Desert fox pups playing. Image credit: Sumeet Moghe via Wikimedia Commons.

The desert fox, also called the white-footed fox (Vulpes vulpes pusilla), is another iconic species found in Rajasthan. It is not too big, almost the same size as the desert cat, has a bushy tail, small beady eyes, and a coat colour that is a mix of sandy, white, and grey. Its adorable look is often what wildlife photographers crave to capture. The species is well-adapted to the desert environment, with longer hind limbs that help it run from predators such as raptors and large ears that allow it to detect the sounds of prey. These opportunistic omnivores feed on a variety of animal and plant matter. The Desert National Park offers the opportunity to witness these adorable carnivores in action.

As you can see, these iconic species of Rajasthan are facing a troubled future. They are already reeling from so many threats. Climate change will worsen their fate. What happens to the ecosystem will affect us as well. Hence, efforts to protect these iconic species of Rajasthan need to be sped up before it is too late.