The animal life in this stunning national park is comprised of a wide variety of creatures, including animals, amphibians, birds, and butterflies. The park is home to numerous exquisite species that are exclusive to the Western Ghats mountain range. Below are some examples of the fauna found here.

 

*Animals :

 

The national park is home to a diverse array of animals that rely on the vegetation for survival. The quality of the soil, climate, and rainfall play a significant role in controlling the availability of food for these creatures. A variety of animals such as seventeen mammals, eleven birds, and seven butterflies are native to the Western Ghats. Among the 48 mammal species present, 17 are unique to this region and include species like Nilgiri Tahr and Nilgiri Marten. Additionally, the park is also home to other creatures like amphibians, birds, and butterflies.

 

Birds: In the National Park, there are 133 different types of birds, with nearly 11 of them only found in the Western Ghats. Among these, well-known species include the Jungle Bush Quail, Indian Golden Backed Three-Toed Woodpecker, Small Green Barbet, White Breasted Kingfisher, and Indian Lorikeet.

 

Butterflies : Butterflies are a notable feature of Eravikulam National Park, with a vast number of species adding to its beauty. The park boasts approximately one hundred identified species of butterflies, eleven of which are unique to the Western Ghats region. Unfortunately, some of these butterflies have become endangered and it is crucial to implement conservation efforts for their survival. The Southern Birdwing, Malabar Raven, Red Disk Bush Brown, Palni Fourring, Nilgiri Tiger, White Disk Hedge Blue, and Tamil Darlet are among the endangered species found in the park.

 

Reptiles : Despite being located in the tropics, the national park has a unique microclimate that poses challenges for reptiles to survive. Therefore, it is crucial to protect the species of animals that are native to the Eravikulam region.

 

Out of the 13 reptile species found in the park, only five are lizards and the remaining eight are snakes. Interestingly, ten of these species can only be found in the Western Ghats.

 

Some examples of lizards and snakes in this area include Salea anamallayana (Anamalai Spiny Lizard), Mabuya carinata (Keeled Grass Skink), Uropeltis pulneyensis (Palni Shield Tail Snake), Amphiesma stolata (Buff Striped Keelback), Ahaetulla dispar (Gunther’s Vine Snake), and Xylophis perroteti (Perrotet's Mountain Snake).

 

Amphibians : The presence of rivers from the Eravikulam region and the unique climate have made it possible for various amphibians to inhabit the national park. Among the twenty-one species of amphibians found in the park, the majority of seventeen are exclusive to the Fauna of Eravikulam National Park. Some notable amphibians found in this area include the Ridged Toad (Bufo parietalis), Leith's Leaping Frog (Indirana leithii), Bicolored Frog (Rana curtipus), Yellow-Bellied Bush Frog (Philautus flaviventris), and Boulenger's Bubble Nest Frog (Philautus signatus).

 

Fish : The freshwater rivers and other bodies of water in the Eravikulam region are home to a diverse array of marine life, much of which is caught for commercial purposes. Among the many species present, four types of fish have been identified. The most commonly found species in this area include the Horalabiosa joshuai, Garra hughi, and Salmo gairdneri gairdneri. These creatures, along with other animals such as mammals, birds, butterflies, reptiles, amphibians, and fish comprise the fauna of this ecosystem. Unfortunately, a large number of these creatures are either endangered or exclusive to the region, making it crucial to protect and support their growth and survival. While most of these animals can be observed during a visit to the park, those that are endangered are rarely spotted.