Endangered Species in India | Top 6 Endangered Species

How about knowing some of the rarely known endangered species in India. All these species are mainly threatened due to excessive hunting, water pollution, and poaching. Some of these animals bear commercial significance which is why they are typically pursued by the native people especially.

Endangered Species in India

Asiatic Lion

The Asiatic lion (Penthera leo persica), also called Persian lion or Eurasian lion, is subspecies of lion. These lions inhabits only in the Gir Forest of Gujarat (India). According to a 2010 survey, there were 411 Asiatic lions. These lions once inhabited along the Mediterranean range to the northeastern regions of the Indian Subcontinent. However, extreme water pollution and hunting leads to a decrease in the Asiatic lion. The mature male grows to a size of 2.92 meters (115 inches) in length. They weigh around 160 – 190 kg (350 – 420 lb).

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle | Endangered Species in India

The olive Ridley sea turtle is a small turtle species with a carapace measuring at 60 – 70 cm. There are 12 – 14 marginal scutes on each side of the carapace. These turtles have a wide head that seems triangular from above. The weight of these species measure around 40 – 50 kg; adult females weigh at 35.45 kg, while mature males weigh up to 33.00 kg. The weight of the hatchlings measure up to 12.0 – 23.3 grams. The females have longer plastra as compared to the males. They have a circumpolar distribution inhabiting in the tropical and moderate waters of the Arabia and Indian Oceans.

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

The loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is a species that inhabits all along the oceanic waters of the world. These turtles belong to the family of Cheloniidae. They can reach to a size of 90 cm (35 inches), with larger species measuring at 270 cm (110 inches). They weigh around 135 kg (300 lb), with the largest species weighed at 454 kg (1,000 lb). The loggerhead sea turtles inhabit all throughout the Pacific, Indian, and Atlantic oceans. They are also found in the Mediterranean Sea. They spend most of their lives in saltwater. They have an average lifespan of 47 – 67 years.

Blue Whale | Endangered Species in India

The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the largest extant mammal on the planet earth. These marine mammals belong to the suborder of baleen whales and they measure at 30 meters (98 feet) in length while the weight is up to 180 metric tons (200 short tons). Blue whales are known to exist in the North Atlantic and North Pacific. Pygmy blue whale is found in the South Pacific Ocean, Southern Ocean, and the Indian Ocean. They primarily rely on crustaceans, krill, and other fish for their daily consumption. These species are classified as endangered by the IUCN. They were hunted at an extreme level in the beginning of 20^th century. The 2002 survey report revealed that there are only 5,000 – 12,000 blue whales left worldwide.

Learn more: Blue Whale Facts

Dhole

The dhole (Cuon alpines), also known as Asiatic wild dog, is a species of canid and is endemic to the Southeast Asia and South. It is the only living member of genus Cuon. These animals are also termed as endangered species possibly due to hunting, and habitat loss. One of the other causes that lead to its depletion is the running down of its prey. The dhole is an extremely sociable animal and is largely found in small packs. They are known to prey on medium0size ungulates. When in packs, they are capable to attack other animals including water buffalo and wild boar.

Asian Arowana | Endangered Species in India

The asian arawana is composed of different varieties of freshwater fish that belongs to the genus Scleropages. They are also known with dragon fish and Asian bonytongue. These fish inhabits in the Southeast Asia and are primarily found in the blackwater rivers where the water is not too fast. They mainly feed on several insects.