Mammals of Karnataka

Vishwanath MK, Asst. Professor, NIE Mysore

• Karnataka has a wide variety of ecosystems namely forests, grasslands, marine, riverine, pond, brackish water and anthropogenic and accordingly a rich diversity of flora and fauna.
• The state has forest cover of 39,369 km² which constitutes 20.5% of the total geographical area of the state.
• These forests support 25% of the elephant and 18% of the tiger population of India.
• There are five National Parks at Anshi, Bandipur, Bannerghatta, Kudremukh and Nagarhole; five Tiger Reserves at Bandipur, Bhadra, Nagarhole, Kali and Biligirirangana hills and 30 wildlife sancturaires, 15 Conservation Reserves, and one Community Reserve.
• The Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, includes the western region of Karnataka.
• Outside the forests, Karnataka’s tree cover is estimated to be 5,733 km². This accounts for 3.0% of the state’s geographical area and consists of tree plantations of rubber (Haevia braziliensis), silver oak (Grevilleaa robusta), dadap (Erythrina indica), mango (Mangifera indica), coconut (Cocos nucifera), cashewnut (Anacardium occidentale), eucalyptus, casurina (Casuarina equisetfolia) and other cash crops. The growing stock of woody biomass for major forest types has been estimated to be 417 million m3. This estimate considers both the forest inventory and trees outside forests.
• The biodiversity of Karnataka as a state however is estimated to have more than 1.2 lakh known species including 4,500 flowering plants, 800 fishes, 600 birds, 160 reptiles, 120 mammals and 1,493 medicinal plants. Some new species have been reported from Karnataka viz. Mangalore Narrow-mouthed Frog (Microhyla kodial), Semecarpus kathalekanensis, spider (Ornithoctonus gadgilli) and fresh water fish (Parabatasio sharavatensis). Hubbardia leptaneuron – a grass species found earlier at the Jog Falls – is reported to have gone extinct.

CHECKLIST

PRIMATES

1. Grey Slender Loris
   • Loris lydekkerianus lydekkerianus – limited to Plains ( ಕಾಡುಪಾಪ kadupapa/ ಮಲೆ ಮನುಷ್ಯ male manushya /ವನ ಮನುಷ್ಯ vana manushya)
   • Loris lydekkerianus malabaricus – limited to Western Ghats (ಚಿಂಗೆ ಕೂಳೆ chinge kule/ಬಿದುರು ಮೆಳೆ ಚಿಗರೆ bidira mele chigare)
2. Bonnet Macaque Macaca radiate (ಕೋತಿ koti) *
3. Lion-tailed Macaque Macaca silenus (ಸಿಂಗಲೀಕ singalika)
4. Nilgiri Langur Semnopithecus johnii
5. South-western Langur (ಮುಷ್ಯ Mushya)
   • Semnopithecus hypoleucos achates – drier area (Nagarhole)
   • Semnopithecus hypoleucos hypoleucos - moist deciduous to evergreen (Agumbe)
   • Semnopithecus hypoleucosiulus – moist forest (Jog)
6. South-eastern Langur
   • Semnopithecus priam priam – Bandipur
   • Semnopithecus priam anchires - Tumkur

ELEPHANTS

1. Asian Elephant Elephas maximus (ಆನೆ Aane)*

EVEN-TOED UNGULATES

1. Indian Chevrotain Moschiola indica (ಕೂರ koora)
2. Indian or Red Muntajac Muntiacus muntjak (ಕಾಡು ಕುರಿ kadu koorie)*
3. Sambar Rus unifolor (ಕಡುವೆ Kaduve)*
4. Spotted Deer Axis porcinus (ಸಾರಂಗ ಜಿಂಕೆ saranga jinke)*
5. Gaur Bos gaurus (ಕಾಡೆಮ್ಮೆ ಕೋಣ kademme & kona)
6. Blue bull or Nilgai Boselaphus tragocamelus (ಮರವಿ maravi ) ?
7. Four-horned Antilope Tetracerus quadricornis (ಕೊಂಡು ಕುರಿ ಪೊಲಿ koondu koori poli )*
8. Indian Gazelle Gazella bennetti (ಚಿಂಕಾರ chinkara)
9. Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra (ಕೃಷ್ಣ ಮೃಗ /ಚಿಗರೆ Krishna mraga/ chigare)*
10. Indian Wild Pig Sus scrofa (ಕಾಡು ಹಂದಿ kadu handi) *

CARNIVORES

1. Tiger Panthera tigris (ಹುಲಿ Huli)*
2. Common Leopard Panthera pardus (ಚಿರತೆ chirate)*
3. Jungle Cat Felis chaus (ಕಾಡು ಬೆಕ್ಕು kaadu bekku) *
4. Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis (ಹುಲಿ ಬೆಕ್ಕು huli bekku)*
5. Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus (ಮೀನುಗಾರ ಬೆಕ್ಕು minugara bekku)
6. Rusty Spotted Cat Prionailurus rubiginosus (ಕಾಡು ಬೆಕ್ಕು kaadu bekku )*
7. Common Palm Civet Paradoxurus hemaphroditus (ಮರ ಬೆಕ್ಕು mara bekku) *
8. Brown Palm Civet Paradoxurus jerdoni (ಹೂಬಾಲ hoobala)
9. Small Indian Civet Viverricula indica (ಪುನಗಿನ ಬೆಕ್ಕು punagina bekku)*
10. Malabar Civet Viverra civettina (ಮಂಗಳ ಕುಟ್ರಿಲ್ /ಜವಡಿಯ Mangala kutril / Jawadiya)
11. Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii (ಮುಂಗುಸಿ Mungusi ) *
12. Ruddy Mongoose Herpestes smithii (ಕೀರ keera )
13. Stripe-necked Mongoose Herpestes vitticollis (ಕೀರ keera)
14. Brown Mongoose Herpestes fuscus (ಕೀರ Keera )
15. Striped Hyaena Hyaena hyaena (ಕಾಡು ಕಿರುಬ kadu keeruba )
16. Grey Wold Canis lupus (ತೋಳ thola )
17. Golden Jackal Canis aureus (ಗುಳ್ಳೆ ನರಿ gulle nari )*
18. Wild Dog Cuon alpines (ಸೀಳು ನಾಯಿ / ಕಾನು ನಾಯಿ seelu nay /kanu nai)*
19. Indian Fox Vulpes bengalensis (ಸಣ್ಣ ನರಿ sanna nari )*
20. Sloth Bear Melursus ursinus (ಕರಡಿ karadi )*
21. Honey Badger Mellivora capensis ( ತರ ಕರಡಿ tara karadi )
22. Nilgiri Marten Martes gwatkinsii Nilagiri (ಮರ ನಾಯಿ mara-naai )
23. Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata (ನೀರು ನಾಯಿ neeru nai )*
24. Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra (ನೀರು ನಾಯಿ neer nai)
25. Asian or Oriental Small-clawed Otter Aonyx cinerea (ನೀರು ನಾಯಿ neerunai )

LAGOMORPHS

1. Indian Hare : Black-naped Hare Lepus nigricollis nigricollis (ಮೊಲ mola)*

PHOLIDOTES

1. Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata (ಚಿಪ್ಪು ಹಂದಿ chipuu handi)*

TREE-SHREWS

1. Madras OR Southern Tree Shrew Ananthan ellioti

INSECTIVORES

1. Horsfield’s Shrew Crocidura horsfieldi ( recorded from Mysore)
2. House Shrew Suncus murinus
3. Pygmy-toothed Shrew Suncus etruscus
4. Highland OR Hill Shrew Suncus niger
5. Anderson’s OR Yellow-throated Shrew Suncus stoliczkanus

RODENTS

1. Indian Crested Porcupine Hystrix indica*
2. Indian Giant Squirrel Ratufa indica indica
3. Grizzled Giant Squirrel Ratufa macroura
4. Red Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista petaurista
5. Indian Giant Flying Squirrel Petaurista philippensis
6. Travancore Flying Squirrel Petinomys fuscocapillus
7. 3 – Striped Palm Squirrel Funambulus palmarum
8. 5 – Striped/ Northern Palm Squirrel Funambulus pennantii
9. Dusky – striped Squirrel Funambulus sublineatus
10. Jungle Striped Squirrel Funambulus tristriatus
11. Indian Gerbil Tatera indica
12. Malabar Spiny Dormouse Platacanthomys lasiurus
13. Indian Long-tailed Mouse Vandeleuria nilagirica
14. House Mouse Mus muscalus
15. Little Indian Field Mouse Mus booduga
16. Bonhote’s Mouse Mus famulus
17. Spiny Field Mouse Mus platythrix
18. Elliot’s Brown Spiny Mouse Mus saxicola
19. Pygmy Field Mouse Mus terricolor
20. Soft-furred Field Rat Millarida meltada
21. White-tailed Wood Rat Madromys blandordi
22. Indian Bush Rat Golunda ellioti
23. Large Bandicoot Rat Bandicota indica
24. Lesser Bandicoot Rat / Indian Mole Rat Bandicota bengalensis
25. House Rat / Black Rat Rattus rattus
26. Sahyadris Forest Rat Rattus satarae

[*species documented during the study by Kumara, H.N., Sapthagirish, M.K., Sadananda, K.B. and Shivaprakash, A. (2010) in specific location where study has been conducted. Preparation of biodiversity conservation plan for Mysore Forest Division. Technical report submitted to Karnataka Forest Department, Mysore Forest Division, Mysore, Karnataka, India.]⁵

BATS

1. Indian Flying Fox Pteropus giganeus*
2. Lesser Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus brachyotis brachyotis*
3. Fulvous Fruit Bat Rosettus leschinaulti leschenaultia*
4. Greater Short-nosed Fruit Bat Cynopterus sphinx sphinx*
5. Lesser Dawn Bat Eonycteris spelaea
6. Lesser Mouse-tailed Bat Rhinopoma hardwickii hardwickii
7. Egyptian Free-tailed Bat Tadarida aegyptiaca
8. Wrinkled-lipped Free-tailed Bat Chaerephon plicata
9. Wroughton’s Tomb Bat Taphozous theobaldi
10. Long-winged Tomb Bat Taphozous longimanus longimanus
11. Naked-rumped Tomb Bat Taphozous nudiventris kachensis
12. Black-bearded Tomb Bat Taphozous malanopogon melanopogon
13. Greater False Vampire Megaderma lyra lyra*
14. Lesser False Vampire Megaderma spasma horsfieldii
15. Rugous Horse-shoe Bat Rhinolopus rouxii rouxii
16. Blyths’ Horse-shoe Bat Rhinolophus Lepidus Lepidus
17. Least Horse-shoe Bat Rhinolphus pusillus
18. Lesser Woolly Horse-shoe bat Rhinolphus beddomei beddomei
19. Dusky Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros ate rater
20. Fulvous Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposiderous fulvus fulvus
21. Anderrson’s Leaf-nosed bat Hipposideros Pomona Pomona
22. Kolar Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros hypophyllus
23. Schneiderr’s Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros speoris*
24. Cantor’s Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros galeritus brachyotis
25. Kelaart’s Leaf-nosed Bat Hipposideros lankadiva Indus
26. Horsfield’s Bat Myotis hassiltii
27. Peyton’s Whiskered Bat Myotis peytoni
28. Indian Pipistrelle Pipistrellus coromandra*
29. Indian Pigmy Bat Pripistrellus tenuis*
30. Kelaart’s Pipistrelle Pipistrellus ceylonicus indicus*
31. Dormer’s Bat Scotozous dormer dormer
32. Chocolate Pipistrelle Flsistrellus affinis
33. Asiatic Greater Yellow House Bat Scotophilus heathii heathii
34. Lesser Yellow House Bat Scotophilus kuhlii*
35. Tickell’s Bat Hesperoptenus tickelli tickelli
36. Painted bat Kerivoula picta picta
37. Hardwicke’s Forest Bat Kerivoula hardwickii
38. Flat-headed bat Tylonycteris pachypus
39. Nocobar Long-fingered Bat Miniopterus pusillus

[* 11 species (+ Rhinolopus sp) documented by Keshava Murthy M V, Pradeep M , Harshavardhan J, Ramya T M, Sunitha Kumari C K, Tejaswini and Prakash R Naik of Department of Studies in Zoology, Manasagangotri, Mysore. India]³

CETACEANS

1. Indo-pacific OR Indian Humpback Dolphin Sousa chinensis
2. Finless Porpoise Neophocaena phocaenoides
3. Indo-pacific Bottlenose Dolphin Tursiops aduncus
4. Long-beaked Common Dolphin Delphinus capensis
5. Long-snouted Spinner Dolphin Stenelia longirostris
6. Pan-tropical Spotted Dolphin Stenella attenuate
7. Sperm Whale Physeter macrocephalus
8. Fin Whale Balaenoptera physalus
9. Blue Whale Balaenoptera musculus

Reference & further readings:

1. INDIAN MAMMALS – A Field guide by Vivek Menon (publisher: Hachette Book Publishing India Pvt. Ltd, Gurgaon) provides very detailed information up to subspecies level, is kept open for field-test scrutiny since scripted using peer-reviewed articles and vast field experience. The Field guide is a treasure of scientific information related to Indian mammals.
2. https://www.karnataka.gov.in/kbb/Pages/Mammals-of-Karnataka.aspx
3. http://www.iosrjournals.org/iosr-jestft/papers/vol8-issue11/Version-2/F081122831.pdf
4. Predicting the potential distribution of the lesser-known endemic Madras edgehog Paraechinus nudiventris (Order: Eulipotyphla, Family: Erinaceidae) in southern India by Brawin Kumar, Santhanakrishnan Babu and Honnavalli N. Kumara. https://doi.org/10.1515/mammalia-2018-0101
5. https://www.mysorenature.org/mysorenature/biodiversity-conservation-plan Refer: Chapter 2 Pages 15 -22; Appendix I Pages 15 - 16