Fauna of Andhra Pradesh

Fauna of AP Biodiversity

The varied habitat of Andhra Pradesh harbors a diversity of fauna which includes Tiger, Panther, Wolf, Wild Dog, Hyena, Sloth Bear, Gaur, Black Buck, Chinkara, Chowsingha, Nilgai, Cheetal, Sambar, Elephant, Leopard, Giant Squirrel, Hyena, Fox, Wild Boar, Indian Bison(Gaur), Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Four-horned Antelope, Blue Bull, Mouse Deer, Honey Badger, Civets, Jungle Cats, Otter, Pangolin, Bats, Dolphins, Whales, Tree Shrew, Common Langur, Slender Loris etc., and a number of Birds and Reptiles. Similarly Jerdon’s courser, Golden gecko, Slender Loris which are rare and endangered are endemic to the state. The faunal Biodiversity of A.P. comprise of Mammals-108; Birds-489; Reptiles-103; Amphibians-23; Fresh water fishes-180; Marine and Estuarine fishes-600+; Molluscs-480; Arthropods-1337; Annelids-163, besides 5 native breeds of Livestock are also recorded here. Of these, 41 species (Mammals-10; Aves-17; Reptiles-02; Pisces-12) are recorded as threatened fauna.

The long sea coast provides the nesting ground for sea turtles, the back water of Pulicat lake are the feeding grounds for Flamingo & Grey Pelican, the estuaries of river Godavari and Krishna support rich mangrove forests with Fishing Cat and Otters as key stone species.