Animals Found In Sundarbans national park
Sundarbans National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a breathtaking mangrove ecosystem teeming with diverse wildlife. Famous as the home of the majestic Bengal tiger, it also shelters species like macaques, pangolins, flying foxes, and numerous reptiles and fish. Visitors can spot wild boars, jungle cats, and grey mongooses, while bird lovers can enjoy observing a rich variety of avifauna. This unique sanctuary offers an unforgettable glimpse into one of the world’s most vibrant and biodiverse habitats.
Here’s an overview of the various categories of fauna found in Sundarbans National Park:
Predators: Sundarbans National Park is synonymous with Bengal tigers (Panthera tigers). Apart from hosting over 500 Bengal tigers, the park provides a habitat for various predator species, including leopards (Panthera pardus), jungle cats (Felis chaus), fishing cats (Prionailurus viverrinus), leopard cats (Prionailurus bengalensis), saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris), gharials (Gavialis gangeticus), and water monitor lizards (Varanus salvator).
Additional Information: The mangrove forests of Sundarbans National Park share their territory with one of the largest UNESCO biosphere reserves dedicated to conserving endangered fauna. The park is home to more than 400 Bengal tigers, with an astonishing population density of about 12 tigers per 100 square meters.
Reptiles: Sundarbans National Park boasts a wide range of reptile species, including green vine snakes (Ahaetulla nasuta), olive ridley turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea), dog-faced snakes (Cerberus rynchops), green turtles (Chelonia mydas), Indian black turtles (Melanochelys trijuga), estuarine crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus), chameleons (Chamaeleonidae), king cobras (Ophiophagus hannah), Salvator lizards (Varanus indicus), Russell’s vipers (Daboia russelii), mouse geckos (Eublepharis macularius), hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata), monitor lizards (Varanus), rat snakes (Chordata), checkered keelbacks (Fowlea piscator), pythons (Python molurus), sea snakes (Hydrophis ornatus), and common kraits (Hydrophis ornatus).
Additional Information: Due to the prevalence of snakes in the area, it’s highly advisable to take precautions and carry a first aid kit when observing reptiles in the park.
Avifauna: Sundarbans National Park is a paradise for bird enthusiasts, offering a haven for numerous bird species. Lucky visitors might spot more than 200 bird species during their visit. Some of the rare species include the endemic brown-winged kingfishers (Pelargopsis amauroptera), lesser adjutants (Leptoptilos javanicus), white-bellied sea eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster), grey-headed fish eagles (Ichthyophaga ichthyaetus), masked finfoots (Heliopais personata), and ospreys (Pandion haliaetus).
If you choose to embark on a safari ride, you’ll have the chance to witness a diverse array of native birds in the park, including open-billed storks (Anastomus oscitans), Caspian terns (Hydroprogne caspia), pariah kites (Milvus migrans govinda), brahminy kites (Haliastur indus), marsh harriers (Circus aeruginosus), swamp partridges (Ortygornis gularis), red junglefowl (Gallus gallus), black-headed ibis (Threskiornis melanocephalus), water hens (Amaurornis phoenicurus), coots (Fulica), pheasant-tailed jacanas (Hydrophasianus chirurgus), common kingfishers (Alcedo atthis), curlews (Numenius), peregrine falcons (Falco peregrinus), woodpeckers (Picidae), black-tailed godwits (Limosa limosa), common snipes (Gallinago gallinago), paradise flycatchers (Persephone paradisi), wood sandpipers (Tringa glareola), green pigeons (Treron), rose-ringed parakeets (Psittacula krameri), cormorants (Phalacrocoracidae), and white-bellied sea eagles (Haliaeetus leucogaster).
Additional Information: To maximize your bird-watching experience, consider visiting after the monsoon season when bird sightings are particularly abundant.
Aquafauna: Sundarbans is renowned for its mangrove surroundings, including numerous creeks and rivers. The park is rich in aquafauna, with species such as common toads (Bufo bufo), silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), barb (Barbus), river eels (Anguilla anguilla), starfish (Asteroidea), king crab (Lithodidae), fiddler crab (Uca), hermit crab (Paguroidea), sawfish (Pristidae), butterfish (Peprilus triacanthus), electric ray (Torpediniformes), common carp (Cyprinus carpio), prawn (Dendrobranchiata), shrimps (Caridea), Gangetic dolphins (Platenista gangetica), skipping frogs (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix), and tree frogs (Hylidae).
Sundarbans National Park truly offers a remarkable and diverse range of wildlife, making it a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts and wildlife lovers alike.
Birds in Sunderban National Park
Sunderban National Park is home to approximately 248 bird species, including a significant influx of migratory birds from higher latitudes during the winter months. Among these avian inhabitants are herons, egrets, cormorants, storks, green pigeons, sandpipers, both large and small spoonbills, darters, seagulls, teal, partridges, and a wide variety of wild geese and ducks.
Successfully birdwatching in the Sundarbans National Park requires overcoming several challenges, primarily due to its rugged terrain and the limited visibility one experiences from a noisy boat.
The main species of birds in Sunderban national park are:
Jungle Safari Timings –
Sunderbans National Park offers only boat safari to the visitors. Jeep safaris are not conducted here. The safari timing is from 7:30 AM in the morning till 5:00 PM in the evening. The entry of boats after 6.00 PM is prohibited. Although the park remains open throughout the year, however, winter season is the best time to visit it.
Tourism in the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve will remain closed on Every Tuesdays.
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