Mammals

 Birds

Reptiles

Out of 55 terrestrial and 7 marine mammal species reported so far, 32 species are endemic. Common mammals found here are Andaman wild pig (Sus Scrofa andamanensis), Crab eating macaque (Macaca fascicularis umbrosa), Andaman masked palm civet (Paguma larvata tytlerii),  Dugong (Dugong dugon), Dolphin (Delphinus delphis), Whale (Balenoptera musculus), Spotted deer (Axis axis), Andaman spiny shrew (Crocidura andamanensis), Nicobar tree shrew (Tupaia nicobarica nicobarica), Andaman horse-shoe bat (Rhinolophus cognatus famulus), Lesser short nosed bat (Cynopterus brachiotis brachysoma), elephant (Elephas maximus) etc.                

List of mammal species

The rich avi-faunal diversity has always attracted ornithologists and bird watchers to these islands. As many as 246 species and sub species of birds are reported to inhabit these islands and of these 99 species and sub-species are endemic. Some important species are Andaman Teal (Anas gibberifrons albogularis), Megapode (Megapodius nicobarensis), Narcondum hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami), Nicobar pigeon (Caloenas nicobarica nicobarica), Green  Imperial   Pigeon   (Ducula  aenea),   Nicobar  Parakeet(Psittacula Caniceps), Crested serpent eagle (Spilornis cheela), White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), Edible-nest swiftlet (Collocalia esculenta), Emerald dove (Chalcophaps indica) etc.                                                                                                   

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Andaman Teal (Anas gibberifrons)              

List of bird species      Photo gallery of Birds

 Sandy beaches of these islands are famous for turtle nesting. There are 76 terrestrial reptiles. Of these 24 species are endemic. Important species include four main  species of sea  turtles viz., Leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea), Green    sea  turtle  (Chelonia   mydas), Hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata squamata), and Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea), Salt  water  crocodile  (Crocodylus porosus),Water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator), Reticulate python (Python reticulatus), sea snakes and many other varieties of snakes including King Cobra (Ophiophagus hannah).

      Due to its long coastal stretch, these islands have a very rich marine biodiversity. They harbour more than 1200 species of fish, 350 species of echinoderms, 1000 species of molluscs and many more lower forms of life. Among vertebrates, dugongs, dolphins, whales, salt water crocodiles, sea turtles, sea snakes etc. are common. Corals and Coral reefs are the most fascinating  part of marine ecosystem here.  So far 179 species of corals belonging to 61 genera have been reported. Reefs are mostly fringing type on eastern coast and barrier type on the western coast. Important genera include Acropora, Montipora,Pocillipora,Porites, Favia, Fungia, Gonopora, Millipora  and Heliopora. Coral reefs are important breeding and nursery ground for fish and many other organisms and have  been aptly called “The Tropical  Rain forests in the Sea"      

      CoralPhotoGallery                                                                                                            AcroporaSP(BrandingCoral)                                                                                                                                            

Wildlife management in these islands aims at protecting and conserving the biodiversity and their representative ecosystems, restoring critical habitats and maintaining biological productivity through appropriate conservation measures.  There  are  96  Wildlife Sanctuaries,   9 National Parks and one Biosphere Reserve. 

For conservation and management of wildlife in these islands legal support is provided as per provisions of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 , the Coastal Regulation Zone notification 1991, the Wildlife (Protection) Andaman & Nicobar Islands Rules, 1973 and other relevant Acts and Rules.                                                                                                                                                                 Research, survey and monitoring of coral reefs are other important management objectives.

          A mini-zoo exists in Port Blair for exhibiting unique animal species of 

these islands. A Biological Park is also being developed at Chidiyatapu for educating people and creating empathy among them for wildlife. 

                                                                   Protected Areas

A number of animal species have been introduced in the forests of these islands from time to time. Cheetal (Axis axis) or the spotted deer was the first animal to be introduced in these islands by the Britishers in early part the 20^th Century.

  These deer have multiplied rapidly in absence of any predator.   Other animals introduced include Five striped palm squire, hog deer, barking deer, leopard, elephant,  common mynah, house sparrow, grey patridge, peafowl, giant snail etc. Some of these introduced animals are believed to have caused ecological disturbances but no scientific study has been carried out so far on the impact of introduced fauna on the island ecosystem. 

 BIOLOGICAL PARK       BIOSPHERE RESERVE   ENVIRONMENT

DEVELOPMENT SCHEMES

E & F DEPARTMENT

PLACES OF INTEREST

CHATHAM SAW MILL

PROTECTED AREAS