Mouse Deer. It is the smallest deer species in India. It is shy and solitary. A Mouse Deer's habitat is generally dense forest and undergrowth. It can be spotted at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Aarey Forest. Photo Credit: Shantanu Kuveskar
Name: Sambar
Characteristics: Largest deer in India, males have large antlers
Habitat: Dense forests, grasslands, hills and mountains
Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) & Aarey Forest
Photo Credit: Nayan Khanolkar
Name: Rusty Spotted Cat
Characteristics: One of the smallest wild cats in the world
Habitat: Dry and mixed deciduous forests, scrub jungle, and grasslands
Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Aarey Forest
Photo Credit: RESQCT
Name: Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher
Characteristics: Small, colorful migratory bird known as the 'Flying Jewel'
Habitat: Forested areas, Mud banks near water
Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Karnala Wildlife Sanctuary (Monsoon visitor)
Photo Credit:Mayank Dhanawade
Name: Golden Jackal
Characteristics: Versatile scavenger, often confused with domestic dogs
Habitat: Scrub jungle, forests, grasslands, wetlands, and waste bins near urban areas
Where in Mumbai: Bhandup Pumping Station, Vikhroli and Bhandup Mangroves
Photo Credit: Rajesh Sanap
Name: Bombay Dorid Slug
Characteristics: Recently rediscovered (2017) Sea slug species named after Mumbai
Habitat: Tide Pools in Rocky Coastal areas
Where in Mumbai: Haji Ali, PDP and other parts of Mumbai coast
Photo Credit: Shaunak Modi
Name: Jungle Cat
Characteristics: Highly adaptable wild cat
Habitat: Wetlands, grasslands, scrublands, deciduous forests
Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Aarey Forest
Photo Credit: Nayan Khanolkar
Name: Small Indian Civet
Characteristics: Nocturnal small mammal with banded tail and spots/stripes
Habitat: Grasslands, forests, peri-urban areas
Where in Mumbai: SGNP, Aarey Forest, IIT Powai, CEC (BNHS), Film City
Picture credit: Ranjeet Jadhav
Name: Atlas Moth
Characteristics: One of the largest moths in the world
Habitat: Forested areas
Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, CEC (BNHS)
Photo Credit: Eknath Mandal
Name: Zoanthids
Characteristics: Colorful solitary corals (Cnidarians) found in tidepools and coral reefs
Habitat: Coral reefs and intertidal regions in marine environments
Where in Mumbai: Mumbai Coast (PDP, Haji Ali, Khardanda, Juhu, Gorai)
Photo Credit: Dr Abhishek Satam
MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL: 10 Animal Species You Didn’t Know Lived Here
— Mid Day (@mid_day) October 26, 2024
Mumbai is well-known for Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Aarey Forest, both located within the city limits and brimming with biodiversity amid urban surroundings. Remarkably, it has the highest density of… pic.twitter.com/1NDL4OKkL3
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