Indian Spotted Chevrotain

Mammals > Even-Toed Ungulates

The Indian Spotted Chevrotain (Moschiola indica), commonly called the ‘Indian mouse-deer,’ is an ancient and secretive primitive ruminant that inhabits the deciduous forest floors of peninsular India. Belonging to the family Tragulidae, this tiny, delicate...

Four-horned Antelope

Mammals > Even-Toed Ungulates

The Four-horned Antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis), known in Hindi as the ‘chousingha,’ is a miniature, shy bovid endemic to the dry deciduous woodlands of the Indian subcontinent. It holds the singular distinction of being the only wild mammal on Earth...

Yoyo Loach

Fish > Loaches

The Yoyo Loach (Botia almorhae), also celebrated as the Almora Loach, is an energetic, highly patterned freshwater fish native to the pristine mountain streams and river basins of northern India and Nepal. It earned its famous playful name because the bold black...

Violin Mantis

Invertebrates > Insects

The Violin Mantis (Gongylus gongylodes), celebrated internationally as the Wandering Violin Mantis or Indian Rose Mantis, is one of the most astonishingly sculpted, elegant, and famous masters of camouflage in the insect world. Resembling a finely carved, antique...

Tire Track Eel

Fish > Spiny Eels

The Tire Track Eel (Mastacembelus armatus), also widely known as the Zig-zag Eel or Leopard Spiny Eel, is an imposing, nocturnal benthic predator in the spiny eel family Mastacembelidae. Native to the freshwater river systems of South and Southeast Asia, this long,...