Seven Iconic Wild Animals Found In Tamil Nadu And Where To See Them

Tamil Nadu, like other states with the Western Ghats, is home to great biodiversity, including several endemic species. Here are the seven most iconic wild animals found in this southern state.

Nilgiri Tahr

Nilgiri Tahr. Image credit: Asheen Anoopvia Wikimedia Commons.

Tamil Nadu’s state animal, the Nilgiri Tahr (Nilgiritragus hylocrius), is an Endangered species, endemic to the southern Western Ghats region in Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It is a wild goat species found on high elevation cliffs, rocky outcrops, open plateaus covered by grasslands, etc. The Nilgiri tahr is exclusively herbivorous, feeding on grasses and shrubs. It is an extremely agile climber with good eyesight to detect predators or other threats in its surroundings. The species is threatened by habitat loss and poaching. The tahr is losing its habitat to development, livestock grazing, and the spread of invasive plants. These animals can be observed in the higher reaches of the Anaimalai Tiger Reserve of Tamil Nadu.

Emerald Dove

Emerald dove. Image credit: Jason Thompson via Wikimedia Commons.

The state bird of Tamil Nadu, the grey-capped emerald dove (Chalcophaps indica), is a beautiful bird with bright emerald-green wings and back. The species is found in tropical forests across South and Southeast Asia. The bird feeds on the fruits and seeds of plants, usually those that have fallen to the forest floor. It spends less time on trees except when roosting. It is a Least Concern species but suffers from habitat loss due to deforestation. It can be spotted across the forests of Tamil Nadu, including the Mudumalai and Anaimalai Tiger Reserves.

Tamil Yeoman

Tamil yeoman butterfly. Image credit: BrijeshPookkottur via Wikimedia Commons.

The beautiful Tamil Yeoman (Cirrochroa thais) is the state butterfly of Tamil Nadu. Locally, it is called Tamil Maravan, meaning Tamilian Warrior. This species is endemic to the Western Ghats, where it occurs in the moist evergreen forests on the mountains. It is around 60-75 mm in size and bright orange on the upper surface and brownish on the lower surface. The butterfly can be spotted while hiking or trekking on the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu.

Nilgiri Langur

Image credit: Ashwinsekaran via Wikimedia Commons.

This primate species (Semnopithecus johnii) is endemic to the Western Ghats and is a threatened species (listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List). It lives in the region's evergreen and deciduous forests at altitudes ranging from 300 to 2,000 m. It is primarily folivorous but also feeds on other plant parts and insects, etc. The Nilgiri langur is primarily arboreal and diurnal, living in social groups of 9 to 10 animals. Poaching was a major threat to species in the past, as their body parts were utilised in traditional medicine preparations. While education and awareness programs have largely helped curb this threat, the langur suffers from habitat loss due to human disturbances. It can be spotted in the protected areas of the Nilgiri Hills.

Malabar Parakeet

A beautiful Malabar parakeet. Image credit: Shantanu Kuveskar via Wikimedia Commons.

This gorgeous bird is endemic to the Western Ghats. The Malabar parakeet, also called the blue-winged parakeet (Psittacula columboides), lives in small flocks that sometimes fly across forest clearings, making screeching calls. These birds nest in tree hollows left by woodpeckers or barbets. The species is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. It can be seen across the Nilgiris flying across forested landscapes in the region.

Nilgiri Marten

Two Nilgiri martens in their natural habitat. Image credit: Navaneeth Kishor via Wikimedia Commons.

A threatened species, listed as Vulnerable, the Nilgiri marten (Martes gwatkinsii) is endemic to the Western Ghats. It occurs in evergreen montane forests and occasionally in deciduous forests as well as commercial plantations near forested landscapes. It is an efficient predator, feeding on a variety of small mammals, birds, reptiles, insects, and more. It also feeds on plant parts, making it an omnivore. The species is threatened by habitat loss and persecution by honey farmers when caught ravaging the contents of bee boxes to feed on honey bee larvae. Nilgiri martens have been observed in the Kalakkad Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve.

Cochin Forest Cane Turtle

Cochin forest cane turtle. Image credit: Davidvraju via Wikimedia Commons.

Also known as the Kavalai forest turtle (Vijayachelys silvatica), this species is endemic to the southern Western Ghats region, living at elevations between 400 and 800 m. The species is found in evergreen and moist deciduous forests of the region. It is primarily terrestrial, living on the forest floor amid leaf litter or in burrows or tree hollows at the base. Here, it feeds on invertebrates and plant matter. The species is Endangered and suffers from numerous threats like habitat loss and poaching. The turtle is also temperature-sensitive, and climate change-induced rising temperatures are expected to harm this species, with little scope to move to a safer location. Forest fires also threaten this species.