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WHICH ARE THE RARE ANIMALS IN SILENT VALLY? |
National Park is rich in faunal diversity and harbours 34 species of mammals, 292 species of birds, 31 species of reptiles, 22 species of amphibians, 13 species of fishes, 500 species of butterflies and moths, besides a multitude of lower forms of animal life most of which are yet to be documented. The valley has a fair representation of all peninsular mammals. They are Lion-tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaque, Tiger, Leopard (Panther), Leopard Cat, Jungle Cat, Fishing Cat, Common Palm Civet, Small Indian Civet, Brown Palm Civet, Ruddy Mongoose, Stripe necked Mongoose, Wild Dog, Sloth Bear, Otter, Flying Squirrel, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Indian Pangolin (Scaly anteater), Porcupine, Wild Boar, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Gaur and Elephant. The most famous resident of the Park is Lion Tailed Macaque whose name has become almost synonymous with that of the Valley. A shy dweller of the canopy, this primate can be seen singly or in groups. The gracious macaque depends mainly on Cullenia exarillata fruits for their food. As Silent Valley has a large number of these trees; likely the survival of this highly endangered species is ensured. Of the 200 species of birds sighted and identified in the Valley, 14 are endemic to the Western Ghat’s.These are 1. Nilgiri Wood Pigeon 2. Blue winged Parakeet 3.Greyheaded Bulbul 4. White bellied tree Pie 5. Rufous Babbler 6. Wayanad Laughing Thrush 7. Nilgiri Laughing Thrush 8. Broad tailed Grass Warbler 9. Black and Orange Flycatcher 10. White bellied Blue Flycatcher 11. Nilgiri Flycatcher 12. Nilgiri Pipit 13. Small Sunbird and 14. Rufousbellied Shortwing. The major reptile seen here are King Cobra, Cobra, Viper, Krait, Rat Snake, Tree frog, Bronze frog, Rufescent Burrowing Frog, Indian Chameleon, etc. The river Kunthi and its tributaries harbor many forms of fresh water life.12 species of fish have been identified out of which two are new to science.19 species of frogs including 2 new species have been sighted from the valley Of the 128 species of butterflies identified in the Valley, nine are exclusive to the Western Ghat’s. The park also has a good representation of beetles, bugs, grasshoppers and other insects. |