Fauna

Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is one of the most biologically diverse protected areas in the northern Western Ghats, supporting a rich assemblage of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes, insects, and other invertebrates. Its mosaic of evergreen, semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, montane, riparian, grassland, and lateritic plateau habitats provide ideal conditions for a wide variety of wildlife, including several endemic, rare, and globally threatened species. The reserve serves as an important refuge for the northernmost populations of many Western Ghats species and plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological connectivity across the landscape.

Mammals

Sahyadri Tiger Reserve supports more than 41 species of mammals, representing a diverse assemblage of carnivores, herbivores, primates, rodents, bats, and insectivores. The reserve is an important stronghold for large carnivores, including the Tiger (Panthera tigris), Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus), Sloth Bear (Melursus ursinus), and Dhole or Asiatic Wild Dog (Cuon alpinus), all of which are indicators of a healthy and well-functioning forest ecosystem. Notably, the reserve supports the northernmost breeding populations of the Dhole and Sloth Bear in the Western Ghats, underscoring its significance for the long-term conservation of these threatened species.

A robust prey base sustains these apex predators. Major herbivores include the Indian Gaur (Bos gaurus), Sambar (Rusa unicolor), Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak), Indian Mouse Deer (Moschiola indica), Four-horned Antelope or Chousingha (Tetracerus quadricornis), Wild Pig (Sus scrofa), and the Indian Hare (Lepus nigricollis). The reserve is also home to the Indian Giant Squirrel (Ratufa indica), one of India’s largest arboreal rodents, which plays an important role in seed dispersal and forest regeneration. As part of the Tiger Recovery Programme, Chital (Axis axis) and Sambar have been reintroduced to strengthen the prey base and enhance habitat suitability for tigers.

The reserve also supports an impressive diversity of smaller mammals. Three species of wild cats—the Jungle Cat (Felis chaus), Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis), and the Rusty-spotted Cat (Prionailurus rubiginosus), the world’s smallest wild cat–occur within the landscape. Other carnivores include the Striped Hyaena (Hyaena hyaena), Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), Indian Fox (Vulpes bengalensis), and the Asian Small-clawed Otter (Aonyx cinereus), whose breeding was recently documented in the reserve. Three civet species—the Small Indian Civet (Viverricula indica), Asian Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus), and the Brown Palm Civet (Paradoxurus jerdoni)—together with the Stripe-necked Mongoose (Herpestes vitticollis), Ruddy Mongoose (Herpestes smithii), and Grey Mongoose (Herpestes edwardsii), further enrich the carnivore community.

Among the primates, the reserve supports the South-western Langur (Semnopithecus hypoleucos), an endemic species of the Western Ghats, and the Bonnet Macaque (Macaca radiata). Other noteworthy mammals include the Indian Pangolin (Manis crassicaudata), Southern Tree Shrew (Anathana ellioti), Indian Porcupine (Hystrix indica), Three-striped Palm Squirrel (Funambulus palmarum), Indian Flying Fox (Pteropus medius), Lesser Woolly Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus beddomei), and the striking Painted Bat (Kerivoula picta). Together, these mammals reflect the exceptional habitat diversity and ecological integrity of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, reinforcing its importance as one of the most significant wildlife landscapes in the northern Western Ghats.

Birds

Sahyadri Tiger Reserve supports a rich avifauna with more than 286 bird species, making it one of the most important bird conservation landscapes in the northern Western Ghats. The reserve provides critical breeding, nesting, roosting, and foraging habitats for a wide variety of resident and migratory birds, including numerous Western Ghats endemics and globally significant species. Its diverse forest types, riparian habitats, grasslands, rocky plateaus, and wetlands create ideal conditions for a remarkable diversity of bird life.

One of the most distinctive features of the reserve is the occurrence of four hornbill species–the Great Hornbill (Buceros bicornis), Malabar Pied Hornbill (Anthracoceros coronatus), Malabar Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros griseus), and Indian Grey Hornbill (Ocyceros birostris). As large frugivores and long-distance seed dispersers, hornbills play a crucial ecological role in maintaining forest structure, promoting natural regeneration, and sustaining plant diversity.

The reserve also supports several endemic birds of the Western Ghats, including the Malabar Whistling Thrush (Myophonus horsfieldii), White-cheeked Barbet (Psilopogon viridis), Nilgiri Wood Pigeon (Columba elphinstonii), Crimson-backed Sunbird (Leptocoma minima), Red-whiskered Bubul (Pycnonotus jocosus), Malabar Parakeet (Psittacula columboides), and Rufous Babbler (Argya subrufa). Other characteristic forest birds include the Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk-Eagle, Brown Fish Owl, Indian Scops Owl, Black-rumped Flameback, Lesser Yellownape, Verditer Flycatcher, Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher, Asian Paradise Flycatcher, and Indian Pitta.

The islands within the Koyna and Chandoli reservoirs provide important nesting habitats for the Indian River Tern (Sterna aurantia), while the extensive network of rivers, reservoirs, and forest streams supports kingfishers, cormorants, herons, egrets, wagtails, and other wetland-associated birds. The reserve’s abundant fruiting trees, mature forests, and relatively undisturbed habitats sustain healthy populations of barbets, woodpeckers, drongos, flycatchers, laughingthrushes, sunbirds, leafbirds, and numerous insectivorous and frugivorous birds.

The exceptional diversity of birds in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve reflects the ecological integrity of its forest ecosystems and highlights its importance as a key refuge for avian biodiversity in the northern Western Ghats. Continued protection of these habitats is essential for conserving the reserve’s rich birdlife and maintaining the ecological processes that sustain its unique forest ecosystems.

Reptiles, Amphibians and Fishes

Sahyadri Tiger Reserve supports an impressive diversity of 85 reptile species, including 18 endemic species comprising 10 endemic lizard species and 8 endemic snake species of the Western Ghats. The reserve is an important refuge for several unique reptiles, including the Satara Gecko (Hemidactylus satarensis), Kolhapur Day Gecko (Cnemaspis kolhapurensis), Koyna Dwarf Gecko (Cnemaspis koynaensis), Bengal Monitor (Varanus bengalensis), Indian Flapshell Turtle (Lissemys punctata), and the Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). The snake fauna is equally diverse, with venomous species such as the Indian Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja), Common Krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell’s Viper (Daboia russelii), Saw-scaled Viper (Echis carinatus), Malabar Pit Viper (Trimeresurus malabaricus), and Common Bamboo Pit Viper (Trimeresurus gramineus). Non-venomous snakes including the Indian Rock Python (Python molurus), Indian Rat Snake (Ptyas mucosa), Montane Trinket Snake (Coelognathus helena monticollaris), Common Vine Snake (Ahaetulla nasuta), and Giri’s Bronzeback Tree Snake (Dendrelaphis girii) are also commonly encountered in the reserve. This remarkable reptilian diversity reflects the reserve’s varied habitats and well-preserved forest ecosystems.

The freshwater ecosystems of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve harbour 110 fish species, reflecting the ecological richness of its rivers, streams, reservoirs, and wetlands. Notable fishes include the iconic Blue-finned Mahseer (Tor khudree), Jerdoni Carp (Hypselobarbus jerdoni), Nash’s Barb (Osteochilichthys nashii), Deccan White Carp (Cirrhinus fulungee), Walking Catfish (Clarias magur), Giant River Catfish (Sperata seenghala), Snakehead Murrel (Channa striatus), and the endemic Maharaja Barb (Puntius sahyadrienis). Together, this rich assemblage of aquatic fauna reflects the excellent ecological integrity and high conservation significance of the reserve’s freshwater ecosystems.

Herpetological surveys have documented 49 amphibian species, of which 25 are endemic to the Western Ghats, underscoring the reserve’s exceptional conservation value. Representative amphibians include the Koyna Toad (Xanthophryne koynayensis), Maharashtra Golden-backed Frog (Indosylvirana caesari), Bombay Night Frog (Nyctibatrachus humayuni), Ghate’s Bush Frog (Raorchestes ghatei), Malabar Tree Toad (Pedostibes tuberculosus), Leith’s Leaping Frog (Indirana leithii), and the Amboli Bush Frog (Pseudophilautus amboli). Most amphibians are closely associated with perennial streams, dense evergreen forests, and lateritic plateaus, making them highly sensitive to habitat degradation and climate change.

Invertebrates

Sahyadri Tiger Reserve harbours an exceptionally rich diversity of invertebrates, reflecting the ecological complexity and pristine habitats of the northern Western Ghats. These organisms play indispensable roles in pollination, decomposition, nutrient cycling, soil formation, biological pest control, and maintaining healthy forest ecosystems. Ongoing surveys continue to reveal new records and previously undocumented species, emphasizing the reserve’s importance for invertebrate research and conservation.

The reserve supports 354 spider species, 243 butterfly species, 121 moth species, 62 orthopteran species, 16 grasshopper species, 11 mantis species, 43 insect groups, 6 freshwater sponge species, and 6 millipede species. Representative spiders include Eriovixia gryffindori, Hersilia tibialis, Poecilotheria regalis (Indian Ornamental Tarantula), and Nephila pilipes (Giant Wood Spider). Characteristic butterflies include Catopsilia pomona, Junonia orithya, Kallima horsfieldii, Pachliopta aristolochiae (Common Rose), and Troides minos (Southern Birdwing). Representative moths include Marumba dyras, Cania bilinear, the spectacular Atlas Moth (Attacus atlas), and the Moon Moth (Actias selene). Orthopterans such as Holochlora spp. and Phaneroptera spp., together with praying mantises including Euantissa pulchra and Tenodera aridifolia, contribute significantly to the reserve’s insect diversity. Freshwater habitats support sponge species such as Spongilla perviridis and Ephydatia meyeni.

Among the most iconic insects of the reserve are the Southern Birdwing (Troides minos), India’s largest butterfly, and the Blue Mormon (Papilio polymnestor), the State Butterfly of Maharashtra. Their presence, together with the reserve’s remarkable diversity of spiders, butterflies, moths, and other invertebrates, highlights the exceptional ecological integrity and biodiversity of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve, making it one of the most important landscapes for invertebrate conservation in the Western Ghats.