Mammals
Reserve
of
Tadoba-Andhari
Tiger
Date
May 2009
Pictures
Mark Hoksberg
Samir M. Sheikh
Claudia Vijge
David Visser
Used information
‚A field guide to Indian Mammals’ by Vivek Menon (2003)
‚Wildlife of India’ by Mark F. Tritsch (2001)
This book is made and published by SCF India to enhance
the animal watching experience in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger
Reserve. This book contains pictures and information of
some important mammals living in TATR. All photos were
taken in TATR.
All profits of the sale of this book will be used to carry out
the projects SCF India does in and around TadobaAndhari Tiger Reserve.
Content
1. Code of conduct
2. Species
3. Notes
1. Code of conduct
The code of conduct in this book is to inform all readers
about the way they should and should not behave when
moving in the jungle.
It is imperative that these rules are followed because
they will protect tourists AND wildlife.
Also make sure you take note of the general rules and
regulations by the Maharashtra Forest Department when
entering Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve. These also have
to be followed.
1.
2.
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4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Respect the natural surrounding;
Please do not feed animals or birds;
Stay in your vehicle;
Take all litter home with you or put it in a bin;
Do not smoke or take matches or a lighter into the
park;
Keep noises to a minimum;
Do not use the horn;
Only enter the park with a trained guide;
Do not enter the park under the influence of
alcohol;
Do not use flash while taking pictures.
Royal Bengal Tiger
Panthera tigris
Local name: Wagh
Length: 300 cm
Height: 90 cm
Weight: 180-230 kg
(females 45 kg less)
NOTES:
Tigers are rufous-colored and have characteristic black
stripes. Every tiger has an unique pattern of stripes by
which they can be identified. Their lifespan is up to 15
years in the wild.
Tigers have excellent hearing and vision. By stealth and
stalking they hunt their prey (such as Sambar and
Chital). An adult tiger eats up to 20 kg of meat per day,
when it’s hungry, it can eat up to 35 kg of meat at once!
Tigers are solitary and highly territorial animals. They are
the largest members of the cat family. There used to be
eight 8 sub-species of tigers. Only 5 of them are left, all
of them endangered. Tigers are mainly threatened by
habitat loss and poaching.
Sloth bear
Melarsus ursinus
Local name: Aswal
Length: 140-170 cm
Height: 65-85 cm
Weight: 127-145 kg
(females 64 kg)
NOTES:
The sloth bear is quite a site. Its entire body is covered
with dense black hair and it has a long muzzle. The lack
of good eye sight and hearing is made up by a welldeveloped sense of smell.
Sloth bears are omnivorous; their diet mainly consists
out of termites, ants, roots, tubers and fruits. The life
span is around 40 years.
Spotted Deer
Axis axis
Local name: Chital
Length: 150 cm
Height: 90 cm
Weight: 85 kg
NOTES:
This deer got its name due to its brownish yellow coat
with characteristic round white spots. Chital life together
in small or large herds and are primarily grazers. They
feed on scrubs, young bamboo shoots, sprouting leaves
and several types of fruit. The males shed their antlers
around August and September.
They aren’t shy and might enter cultivation and
frequently associate with
many forest animals,
particularly with monkeys. While the monkeys sit in the
trees to feed, the Chital eat what falls down from the
trees. Chital are often seen in fields around the villages
and they will eat the new shoots of rice or soja beans.
This is a big problems for local people.
Indian
Bison
or
Gaur
Bos gaurus
Local name: Gawa
Height: 165-180 cm
Weight: 800-1200 kg
(females 500-700 kg)
NOTES:
Gaur is the largest wild cattle in the world. A gaur has a
huge body and large head. The ridge starting between
the shoulders and running along the body is a
characteristic for gaur. Old males turn pitch black and
have no hair. Gaurs prefer to live in herds and they have
well developed sense of smell. Its diet mainly consists out
of grasses, leaves, barks and bamboo.
3. NOTES
Did you see some other
interesting things during
your visit to TadobaAndhari Tiger Reserve?
Write them down and take
them with you! Thank you
for your visit and your
contribution to conservation. We hope to welcome
you back in the near
future!
SCF India
Netherlands
T +31 570 677055
E info@scfindia.com
I www.scfindia.com
Indian contact
Suleman Baig
T +91 9623210537
E suleman@scfindia.com