From Asiatic lion to pygmy hog, 10 unique Indian animal species found nowhere else on Earth

2. Sangai Deers

Found only in Manipur’s Keibul Lamjao National Park, they are also known as “dancing deers” owing to their habit of jumping through floating grassland habitats (phumdi).

3. Nilgiri Tahr

Also known as Nilgir Sholakilis, this stunning songbird is found in Shola forests of the Western Ghats and the hills of Southern India. It boasts of bright blue plumage, white belly feathers, and a black tail with an orange tip.

4. Kashmir Stag

Spotted in Dachigam National Park in Kashmir and sometimes in the northern Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, this subspecies of red deer is also known as Hangul.

5. Pygmy Hog

A visit to Manas National Park of Assam will get you closer to the world’s smallest and rarest wild pig. With a population less than 250, these creatures thrive in wet grasslands and are capable of building their own homes with a roof from scratch.

Purple Frogs are native to the Western Ghats (Source: Freepik)

6. Nilgiri Blue Robin

Also known as Nilgir Sholakilis, this stunning songbird found in Shola forests of the Western Ghats and the hills of Southern India, boasts of bright blue plumage, white belly feathers, and a black tail with an orange tip.

7. Ganges River Dolphin

With a population of 3750 today, they are found in parts of Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, and Bihar.

8. Andaman Wild Boar

This animal features a dark coat and sturdy build, thriving in dense forests of the Andaman Islands. Having adapted to the island life, it sustains itself on roots, fruits and small invertebrates found in the tropical region.

9. Purple Frog

The Purple Frog has a bloated body, small head, and pointed snout. What makes it stand out from the rest is its retro purple hue. A resident of the Western Ghats, this amphibian spends most of its life underground, surfacing only for a few days during monsoon to breed.

10. Nicobar Megapode

Native to the Nicobar Islands, this ground-dwelling bird is known for its unique nesting behaviour. Instead of incubating eggs with body heat, it buries them in warm sand or decomposing vegetation to hatch.

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