Kerala Rare Species of Animals and Birds

The forests of Kerala, The God's Own Country is the home to some of the endemic and endangered species of especially animals and birds of India. The Western Ghats Protects the Evergreen Wild life of Kerala and also Protect the endangered species in rain forestIndia. The Important rare Species of animals and Birds are:

Malabar Civet

 Malabar civet is a medium-sized animal originated from  the evergreen rainforest belt of southwestern India and it is one of the world's rarest mammals. Currently, this species is mostly found in the valleys and also appears to be dependent on shallow of waterways. Malabar civet eats mainly  small animals, eggs and some vegetation and is most active at night. Due to the extensive deforestation in Kerala, these animals are now live only in the  isolated populations. They can live in cashew plantations etc , but these are giving way to less-hospitable rubber plantations also. This civet is also threatened by hunting and as it is thought to kill poultry.

Great Cormorant 

 The Phalacrocoracidae include in the family of medium-to-large coastal, fish-eating seabirds that also includes cormorants and shags. Plumage colouration varies with the majority of having mainly dark plumage, and some species being black and white, and also a few being colourful. There are 38 species worldwide exists  and 3 species that occur in India and all 3 occur in Kerala. It can be mainly seen in the sides of Vembanattu Lake

Nilgiri Tahr

The nilgiri tahr is a medium to large ungulate that prefers wet climate. According to the Ultimate Ungulate, the females average around 110 pounds weight, while the males can weight twice of  that. These animals are yellowish brown and to gray in color, having paler underparts and a dark stripe down its back. The Males eventually darken in its color and develop black necks, legs and shoulders, with a white knee spots and back patches. Both of them sexes have short, curved horns. Nilgiri tahr prefer high grasslands and graze mostly during the day times. These animals are threatened by hunting and encroachment from the domesticated animals.

Grey Heron

The family of  Ardeidae contains bitterns, herons and egrets. Herons and egrets are medium to large sized wading birds having long necks and legs. Bitterns that tend to be shorter necked and more wary in its way. Unlike the other long-necked birds suck as storks, ibises and spoonbills, members of Ardeidae fly with their own necks and retracted. There exists 61 species in worldwide and 21 species which occur in India and 16 species occur in our Kerala. It can be seen in Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary

Fishing Cat

The Fishing cats are medium-sized cats which has a native to southwest India and southeast Asia. These creatures sit by the water bodies like water of rivers and streams, tapping the water's surface to attract the fish. Then, the cat dives into the water to catch fish. These animals are threatened by habitat loss in Kerala where many of their native wetlands have been drained for human expansions. Fishing cats are also hunted for their fur too.

Oriental Darter

The Darters are frequently referred to as "snake-birds" because of their long thin neck it gives a snake-like appearance when they swim with their bodies and submerged. males ones have black and dark brown plumage, an erectile crest on its nape and a larger bill than the female ones. The females have a much paler plumage especially on the neck and its underparts. The darters have completely webbed feet and their legs are short in size and also set far back on the body. Their plumage is somewhat permeable, like that of cormorants also. they spread their wings to dry after diving. There are 4 species world across and 1 species which occurs in India and also in our Kerala. It can be Mainly seen in Kalletumkara