The brown fish owl is a year-round resident throughout most tropical and subtropical parts of the Indian Subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and neighboring regions. West of its main range, the species remains largely confined to these regions.

The typical habitat of the brown fish owl includes forests and woodlands near streams, lakes, or rice fields. It primarily inhabits lowland areas, ranging from open woodlands to dense forests, and is even found in plantations

This owl is active during almost all hours of the day and night. True to its name, it spends much of its time fishing for food. It is a striking owl, with buff-colored feathers around its facial disc and a beautiful blend of browns, blacks, and creamy beiges covering its body. Its bright yellow irises are particularly eye-catching. Like the Eurasian Eagle-owl, it has feathered ear tufts, which are not ears at all but rather feathers that resemble the ears of some mammals. These protruding feathers can aid in communication and camouflage.

As its name suggests, the brown fish owl primarily feeds on fish. However, it also hunts amphibians, crabs, crayfish, reptiles, insects, small mammals, and birds.

Like most owls, the brown fish owl does not build its own nest. Instead, it lays its eggs in tree hollows or cavities. Occasionally, it will use abandoned nests built by other raptors or lay its eggs on ledges, stream banks, or in deserted buildings. These owls typically choose nesting sites near water.

The female usually lays between 1-3 eggs, which she will incubate for 34-38 days. Once the owlets hatch, they grow rapidly, and within 45-50 days, they are ready to take their first flight from the nest!

Imperial pigeons are found exclusively in southern Asia, Australia, New Guinea, and the Pacific.

These pigeons are primarily arboreal, inhabiting forest and woodland areas where fruit-bearing trees are abundant. About half of the species occupy mountainous forests at elevations up to 2,500 meters. Many imperial pigeons are island dwellers, living in coastal forests, while some species can be found in forest edges or mangroves.

The crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela) is a medium-sized bird of prey found in forested habitats across tropical Asia.

This eagle primarily preys on reptiles, hunting over forests and often near wet grasslands for snakes and lizards. It has also been observed preying on birds, amphibians, mammals, fish, termites, and large earthworms. The species is mainly found in areas with dense vegetation, both in low hills and on the plains. It is a resident species, staying in the same region year-round.

The breeding season begins in late winter, when the eagles start courting and establishing territories. Eggs are laid in early summer. Old nests are often refurbished and reused, with most nests built in trees along rivers. The nest is a large platform constructed high in the branches. Both members of the pair participate in building the nest, but the female alone incubates the eggs while the male stands guard when she forages. In central India, Terminalia tomentosa trees are commonly used for nesting, while Terminalia bellirica and Dalbergia latifolia trees are preferred in southern India

The typical clutch consists of one egg, although two eggs are sometimes laid, with only one chick usually surviving to fledge. If eggs are lost, a replacement egg is laid two to seven weeks later. The eggs hatch after about 41 days, and the young fledge after approximately two months. During this time, the parents actively defend the nest

The gaur historically ranged throughout mainland South and Southeast Asia, including Nepal, India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and China. Today, its range is severely fragmented, and the species is regionally extinct in Peninsular Malaysia and Sri Lanka.

The estimated total population of the Indian bison (gaur) is around 13,000 to 30,000 individuals worldwide, with 85% of the global population found in India.

The Western Ghats and their surrounding hills in southern India form one of the largest remaining strongholds for the gaur, particularly in the Wayanad–Nagarhole–Mudumalai–Bandipur complex.

Due to their size and strength, gaur have few natural predators besides humans. Occasionally, leopards, dhole packs, and large mugger crocodiles may attack unguarded calves or weak individuals. Only tigers and saltwater crocodiles have been reported to kill adult gaur.

Gaur primarily graze and browse on the upper parts of plants, such as leaf blades, stems, seeds, and flowers of grass species, including kadam (Adina cordifolia). During the summer, they also feed on the bark of teak (Tectona grandis), the fruit of the golden shower tree (Cassia fistula), and the bark and fruit of cashew (Anacardium occidentale). Gaur spend most of their day feeding, with peak activity observed between 6:30 and 8:30 in the mornings and between 17:30 and 18:45 in the evenings. During the hottest part of the day, they rest in the shade of large trees.

Gaur reach sexual maturity in their second or third year. Breeding occurs year-round but typically peaks between December and June. Females usually give birth to one calf, rarely two, after a gestation period of about 275 days, slightly shorter than that of domestic cattle. Calves are typically weaned after seven to twelve months.

The Monitor Lizard is listed on Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.

Monitor Lizard shelter in burrows they dig or in crevices in rocks and buildings, while clouded monitors prefer tree hollows. Both species will also make use of abandoned termite mounds. Monitor Lizard are diurnal, becoming active around 6 AM and basking in the morning sun. During winter in the colder parts of their range, they may enter a period of reduced metabolic activity while taking shelter. They are not territorial and may adjust their range seasonally in response to food availability.

Monitor Lizard are carnivores and scavengers. Their typical diet consists of beetles, grubs, orthopterans, scorpions, snails, ants, and other invertebrates. They may also feed on frogs, fish, lizards, snakes, rodents, and ground birds. As scavengers, Monitor Lizard sometimes feed on carrion and are known to forage for beetles and other insects around livestock dung in agricultural areas.

Although Monitor Lizard are found on agricultural land, they prefer forests with large trees. High ground cover and areas with large trees are generally favorable habitats for them.

Females may be able to retain sperm, and those kept in captivity have been known to lay fertile eggs. The main breeding season is from June to September, though males begin to exhibit combat behavior as early as April. Females dig nest holes in level ground or vertical banks, laying their eggs inside before filling the hole and compacting the soil with their snouts. They often dig false nests nearby and scatter soil around the area. Termite mounds are sometimes used as nesting sites. A single clutch typically contains about 20 eggs, which may take anywhere from 168 to 254 days to hatch. Approximately 40-80% of the eggs may successfully hatch.

The Indian leopard is distributed across India, Nepal, Bhutan, and parts of Pakistan and Bangladesh.

In 2015, an estimated 7,910 leopards were believed to live in and around tiger habitats in India. The total leopard population in the country was speculated to be between 12,000 and 14,000 individuals.

The expansion of agricultural land, along with human encroachment and livestock grazing in protected areas, are the primary factors contributing to habitat loss and the decline of wild prey. As a result, leopards often approach human settlements, where they prey on domestic animals such as dogs, pigs, and goats—important parts of their diet when wild prey is scarce.

The Indian leopard is elusive, solitary, and predominantly nocturnal. It is renowned for its climbing ability and is often seen resting on tree branches during the day. It has been observed dragging its kills up into trees and hanging them there, and descending headfirst. The leopard is also a powerful swimmer, highly agile, and capable of running at speeds over 58 kilometers per hour (36 mph). It can leap more than 6 meters (20 feet) horizontally and jump up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) vertically. It produces a variety of vocalizations, including grunts, roars, growls, meows, and purrs.

The leopard mates year-round. The estrous cycle lasts approximately 46 days, with the female typically being in heat for 6–7 days. Gestation lasts between 90 and 105 days, after which 2–4 cubs are usually born. Cub mortality is estimated to be 41–50% during the first year. Females give birth in dens located in caves, crevices among boulders, hollow trees, or dense thickets. Cubs are born with their eyes closed, which open four to nine days after birth.

The dietary spectrum of the Indian leopard includes axis deer, sambar deer, nilgai, wild boar, common langur, Indian hare, and peafowl.

The orange-finned mahseer, or hump-backed mahseer, believed to be endemic to the Kaveri River that flows through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, has long been an enigma for anglers worldwide and a topic of much debate among ichthyologists and environmentalists. The species’ listing as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2018 further sparked disagreements among experts.

A type of carp belonging to the family Cyprinidae, the hump-backed mahseer can grow to a length of 1.5 meters—about the size of a small human. The largest recorded catch, by British angler Ken Laughran in Valnoor, Kodagu district of Karnataka in 2012, weighed close to 60 kilograms. The name ‘mahseer’ is believed by some to have originated from the Sanskrit words maha, meaning big, and seer, meaning head. Others theorize that it derives from the Indo-Persian words mahi, meaning fish, and sher, meaning tiger.

The hump-backed mahseer, often referred to as the “Tiger of Kaveri” for the fierce fight it puts up, is one of the most sought-after game fish in the world, offering anglers the thrill they seek.

Asian elephants are primarily found in the tropical and subtropical forests of Asia, including India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China. Although they once roamed freely across Asia, their populations are now fragmented and isolated.

The Asian elephant is characterized by its long trunk with a single finger-like projection, large tusks in males, large ears with lateral folds (though smaller than those of African elephants), and wrinkled grey skin. Their skin is smoother than that of African elephants and may be depigmented on the trunk, ears, or neck. Adult males average 4 tonnes (4.4 short tons) in weight, while females average 2.7 tonnes (3.0 short tons).

Asian elephants are crepuscular, being most active during dawn and dusk. They are classified as megaherbivores, consuming up to 150 kg (330 lb) of plant matter daily. They spend 50 to 75% of their day eating. As generalist feeders, they both graze and browse, feeding on at least 112 different plant species, primarily from the order Malvales, as well as the legume, palm, sedge, and true grass families. They browse more during the dry season, with bark making up a significant portion of their diet during the cooler months. Asian elephants drink at least once a day and are never far from a permanent source of fresh water. They require 80–200 liters of water daily and use even more for bathing. Additionally, they sometimes scrape the soil for clay or minerals.

Cows and calves move together in groups, while bulls disperse from their mothers upon reaching adolescence. Bulls are typically solitary or form temporary “bachelor groups.”

Reproduction in Asian elephants is influenced by the production and perception of pheromones—signaling compounds transmitted through bodily fluids. These signals are commonly released in urine but, in males, are also secreted from the temporal glands. Once perceived, these signals inform the receiver of the sender’s reproductive status. If both parties are ready to breed, ritualistic reproductive behavior occurs, leading to sexual reproduction.

Elephants have the longest gestation period of any mammal, carrying their young for 18 to 22 months before giving birth. Long developmental periods are common among highly intelligent animals.

The mugger crocodile is found in southern Iran, Pakistan, Nepal, India, and Sri Lanka, at elevations of up to 420 m (1,380 ft). It inhabits freshwater lakes, rivers, and marshes, preferring slow-moving, shallow water bodies. It also thrives in artificial reservoirs and irrigation canals.

Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1982, by 2013, the global population was estimated to be fewer than 8,700 mature individuals.

In India, the mugger crocodile has been protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. This law prohibits catching, killing, or transporting a crocodile without a permit; violators face imprisonment and fines.

The mugger crocodile is a powerful swimmer, using its tail and hind feet to propel itself forward, change direction, and submerge. It belly-walks, with its underside touching the ground, both in water and on land. During the hot dry season, it walks overland at night to find suitable wetlands and spends most of the day submerged. In the cold season, it basks on riverbanks and shows tolerance towards other individuals. However, territorial behavior intensifies during the mating season.

The mugger crocodile preys on fish, snakes, turtles, birds, and mammals such as monkeys, squirrels, rodents, otters, and dogs. It also scavenges on dead animals, particularly during the dry season.

Female mugger crocodiles reach sexual maturity at a body length of around 1.8–2.2 m (5 ft 11 in – 7 ft 3 in) at approximately 6.5 years of age, while males mature at a length of around 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in). The reproductive cycle begins as early as November, with courtship and mating at the onset of the cold season. Between February and June, females dig nesting holes 35–56 cm (14–22 in) deep, located 1 to 2,000 m (3 ft 3 in to 6,561 ft 8 in) away from the water. They lay up to two clutches per season, with 8 to 46 eggs per clutch. Eggs weigh an average of 128 g (4.5 oz). Laying a clutch usually takes less than half an hour, after which females scrape sand over the nest to cover it. Males have been observed assisting females in digging and protecting nest sites. Hatching occurs about two months later, between April and June, in southern India.

The smooth-coated otter is a freshwater otter species native to South and Southwest Asia, with the majority of its population found in Southeast Asia. It has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List since 1996.

The smooth-coated otter is distributed across Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, southern China, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam, Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, and the islands of Borneo, Sumatra, and Java. An isolated population also lives in the marshes of Iraq.

These otters live in groups of up to 11 individuals. They rest on sandy riverbanks and establish their dens under tree roots or among boulders.

They are primarily active during the day, with a short rest around midday. They mark their territory by urinating and leaving spraints on rocks or vegetation. Communication among them includes vocalizations such as whistles, chirps, and wails.

Smooth-coated otters feed mainly on fish, including species like Trichogaster, climbing gourami, and catfish. During the rice planting season, they also hunt rats in rice fields. Snakes, amphibians, and insects make up a small portion of their diet.

As long as the food supply is sufficient, they breed year-round. Pups are born after a gestation period of 60 to 63 days, with a typical litter size of up to five pups. The mother gives birth and raises her young in a burrow near water. These burrows are either self-constructed or taken over from other animals. At birth, the pups are blind and helpless, but their eyes open after 10 days. They are weaned at about three to five months, reach adult size by one year of age, and attain sexual maturity between two and three years.

Thus, the River Cauvery provides an ideal habitat for this endangered species.

The grizzled giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura) is a large tree squirrel in the genus Ratufa, found in the highlands of the Central and Uva provinces of Sri Lanka, as well as in patches of riparian forest along the Kaveri River and in the hill forests of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala in southern India. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) lists the species as Near Threatened due to habitat loss.

The Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary (GSWS), also known as Srivilliputhur Wildlife Sanctuary, was established in 1988 to protect the near-threatened grizzled giant squirrel. Covering an area of 485.2 km², it is bordered on the southwest by the Periyar Tiger Reserve and is one of the best-preserved forests south of the Palghat Gap.

This species is almost entirely arboreal, rarely coming to the ground except to escape predators.

Ratufa macroura primarily feeds on fruits, nuts, insects, bird eggs, and the bark of certain trees. The fruit of the climber Combretum ovalifolium is a particularly important food source where it is available. Young squirrels, upon first emerging from the nest, have been observed to feed exclusively on this fruit.

The honey badger ranges across most of sub-Saharan Africa, from the Western Cape in South Africa to southern Morocco and southwestern Algeria. Outside of Africa, its range extends through Arabia, Iran, Western Asia, Turkmenistan, and the Indian Peninsula.

Honey badgers are primarily solitary, although they have occasionally been observed hunting in pairs in Africa.

Renowned for their strength, ferocity, and toughness, honey badgers are known to savagely and fearlessly defend themselves against almost any species when escape is impossible, reportedly even repelling much larger predators such as lions and hyenas.

They frequently raid beehives in search of both bee larvae and honey. In addition to honey, their diet includes insects, frogs, tortoises, turtles, lizards, rodents, snakes, birds, and eggs. They also consume berries, roots, and bulbs.

Little is known about the honey badger’s breeding habits. The gestation period is believed to last six months, usually resulting in the birth of two cubs, which are born blind. Their lifespan in the wild is unknown, but captive individuals have been known to live for approximately 24 years.

What does dhole mean?

wild dog (Cuon alpinus) occurring from India to southern Siberia that typically hunts in packs and often preys on large animals (such as deer and antelope) Among the dhole's most distinctive features is its whistle—a high-pitched call apparently used to coordinate cooperative hunting.

The dhole occurs in most of India south of the Ganges, particularly in the Central Indian Highlands and the The dhole is a highly social animal, living in large clans without rigid dominance hierarchies and containing multiple breeding females.

Such clans usually consist of about 12 individuals, but groups of over 40 are known. It is a diurnal pack hunter which preferentially targets large and medium-sized ungulates.

They displayed sexual behaviors during the Oestrogen peak of the females.

Pups are suckled at least 58 days. During this time, the pack feeds the mother at the den site. Dholes do not use rendezvous sites to meet their pups as wolves do, though one or more adults will stay with the pups at the den while the rest of the pack hunts. Once weaning begins, the adults of the clan will regurgitate food for the pups until they are old enough to join in hunting. They remain at the den site for 70–80 days. By the age of six months, pups accompany the adults on hunts and will assist in killing large prey such as sambar by the age of eight months.

European bee-eaters (Merops apiaster) have a broad distribution covering much of Europe and Africa with range estimates up to 11,000,000 square km. These migratory birds can be found as far north as Finland and range as far south as South Africa, extending east into some Asiatic countries as well. Most commonly, European bee-eaters will breed and nest in southern Europe, then migrate south during autumn and winter.

European bee-eaters are commonly found near freshwater systems and inhabit a variety of habitat types such as forest, savanna, shrubland, grassland, and agricultural areas. The habitat for nesting can be specific involving only river systems or gravel pits with steep exposed banks. European bee-eaters have also been found to dig burrows directly into the ground. Food availability can determine the habitat occupied by European bee-eaters. Many agricultural fields use bee-hives for pollination and M. apiaster will frequent those areas

bee-eaters are monogamous and will generally stay together from year to year if both survive. Courtship feeding has been observed of some male European bee-eaters, where the male will bring food to the female a couple days before, during, and after egg laying. Roughly 20% of nesting pairs have 1 to 4 helpers that exhibit cooperative breeding, where a non-breeding male, likely a close relative, will assist the nesting pair by sitting on the nest and catching prey for young. 

The grey-headed fish eagle has a wide distribution, ranging from India and Southeast Asia to Malaysia, western Indonesia, and the Philippines, between 38˚N and 6˚S.

These eagles inhabit lowland forests up to 1,500 meters above sea level. Their nests are typically located near bodies of water, such as slow-moving rivers and streams, lakes, lagoons, reservoirs, marshes, swamps, and coastal lagoons and estuaries.

The grey-headed fish eagle is a sedentary bird that can be solitary or found in pairs. It is non-migratory, though juveniles disperse from the breeding areas, presumably in search of mates or new food sources. This eagle spends much of its time perched upright on bare branches over water bodies, occasionally swooping down to catch fish. 

The breeding season typically occurs between November and May across most of its mainland range, with breeding in India occurring between November and January.

The grey-headed fish eagle builds large stick nests, up to 1.5 meters across and, with repeated use, up to 2 meters deep. The nests are lined with green leaves and are located in tall trees (8–30 meters) either within a forest or as standalone trees, often near the top with an open crown structure. Nest sites are always located near a water source.

The clutch size ranges from 2 to 4 eggs, although usually, a pair will lay 2 unmarked white eggs.

As its name suggests, the grey-headed fish eagle is a specialist piscivore, primarily preying on live fish and scavenging dead fish. It occasionally also feeds on reptiles, terrestrial birds, and small mammals.