Only in India: Wildlife species endemic to the country

India is a country known for its incredible biodiversity, and is home to a vast array of endemic wildlife species. Endemic species are those that are found exclusively in a specific region or country and are not found naturally anywhere else. Please note that this is not an exhaustive list as India has a rich diversity of endemic species across various animal groups, including birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and insects.

The flame-throated bulbul is a beautiful and colorful bird species found only in the Western Ghats. Flame-throated bulbul is also the state bird of Goa. You will mostly find them in the forest areas as they are predominantly woodland birds. But if you are lucky, you will find a few of them outside the forest areas.

The mottled wood owl is one of the most interesting species of owls found in India. This one has been terrifying unsuspecting people with its eerie calls. Fascinating! No wonder, their calls are considered a bad omen by some, something that is just some old-wives-tale. When you are visiting Kerala, watch out for these gorgeous nocturnal birds.

The blue-winged parakeet or the Malabar parakeet is found primarily in the Western Ghats mountain range of southern India, including the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu. It is especially prevalent in the evergreen and semi-evergreen forests of the region.

The Nilgiri tahr are endemic to the South Western Ghats, especially in a few protected areas in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. They mostly inhabit the montane grasslands and cliffs of the Western Ghats. You will be able to spot them at the Nilgiri Hills, Eravikulam National Park, and the grassy slopes of Anamudi.

The lion-tailed macaque is a unique and endangered species found in the Western Ghats of South India. Their striking appearance and limited distribution makes them such a prized sighting. The lion-tailed macaque is listed as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). They face significant threats from habitat loss due to deforestation and fragmentation as well as human-wildlife conflict and poaching.

The Nilgiri Langur, also known as the Nilgiri leaf monkey or Indian hooded leaf monkey, is a species of langur found in the Western Ghats of South India. Their limited distribution and habitat loss is one of the reasons why they are now a vulnerable species. They can be found mostly in the Nilgiri Hills, Silent Valley National Park and some parts of Coorg.

The Critically Endangered forest owlet is found only in India. These birds are extremely rare finds. Currently, they are found in a few locations in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Endemic to the Nicobar Islands, the Nicobar megapode is an interesting bird with a unique nesting behavior. Unlike most birds that incubate their eggs using body warmth, megapodes use external heat sources. They build large communal nests, often referred to as megapode mounds, made of leaves, twigs, and other organic materials. The heat generated by the decaying vegetation helps incubate the eggs.