| Tiger
The tiger is the main attraction in the Periyar Tiger
Reserve. An estimated 40 of these magnificent beasts inhabit
the Reserve. The Indian tiger is a large animal averaging a
little less than 3m. in length. This great cat is a solitary
animal except when courting or when a tigress is with her cubs.
The cubs only leave their mother after reaching maturity at
the age of about 2 years. Tigers hunt the large herbivores including
sambar and other deer, gaur, wild boar, etc. The tiger's beauty
and strength are beyond compare. No one can ever forget the
first sighting of this great cat in the wild . Even a brief
glance is an unforgettable experience. But it is a shy and alert
animal, hence difficult to see and observe at ease.
Elephant
Elephants live in herds with a leader which is often an old
and experienced cow. A herd also has a master bull which dominates
other bulls. Not all bull elephants have tusks and those without
are called makhnas. Cow elephants in India, unlike in Africa,
do not have tusks. This enormous animal is the largest of the
land mammals. It requires ten to fifteen hours of grazing everyday.
It feeds on grass, tree barks and so on. The elephant is a very
intelligent animal, has a highly developed sense of smell and
hearing but its young are sometimes attacked by tigers, but
this is very rare as the herd defends its young extremely efficiently
and even ferociously. Man, of course, has hunted this great
animal for ivory for hundreds of years, but today the elephant,
found in many forests in India, is a protected animal.
Malabar Squirrel
The beautiful Malabar squirrel and flying squirrel are common
sights in this sanctuary.
Deer
Deer of some sort is usually found in abundance particularly
the spotted deer and the sambar deer.
The Wild Pig
The wild pig is an opportunistic feeder and is found in large
numbers.
Birds
Periyar Tiger Reserve is rich in Bird life. Birds such as Malabar
Hornbill, Grey heron, Jungle fowl and Jungle Mynah live in the
sanctuary. 266 species of birds are positively recorded. Among
the common aquatic birds are Darter or snake bird and Cormorant.
While swimming the snake-like neck and beak remain above water.
Fish is the main food. Dabchick or little grebe, squat and tailless
duck is the Local migrant and is the smallest swimming bird
of the locality. This expert diver feeds on aquatic insects
and tadpoles.
White necked stork, feeds during the day and roosts on trees
at the night. During October-May, the bird population explodes
in Periyar. Lesser Pied King fisher is another common bird in
the lake catching fish that could be hunted from the water.
Also takes tadpoles and aquatic insects. Nests in horizontal
tunnels, dug on the bank of river, ending in an egg chamber.
Great Indian Hornbill is seen in evergreen areas. The largest
population in western Ghat is at Periyar and is noisy and distinctive
in flight. They nest on the natural hole of tree, where the
female sits almost closing the hole and lays the eggs and remains
there till incubation is over. Male bird collects food and supplies
to female and the young ones till they are able to fly. The
Woodpecker is the resident of the deciduous forest. Food is
mainly black ants. Nests in holes excavated on trees. Brahminy
Kite is seen singly or in pairs. Breeds in the area. Feeds on
offal, fish, frog and small snakes.
REPTILES
Poisonous snakes like Cobras, Vipers, Kraits, and a number of
non poisonous snakes forms the reptilian life of the Periyar
Reserve. Monitor lizards are also frequently sighted in the
forests. Pythons are regularly seen while trekking and in the
evergreen areas the King cobra is sighted.
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