Species

BARKING DEER (Muntiacus muntjack)

Barking Deer is comparatively a smaller deer standing at 20 to 30 inches and weighs about 22 to 23 kg. The antlers of this deer are also small and rarely exceed above 5 inches and consist of a short brow-tine and an unbranched beam. Adult males are browner in colour with upper canines well developed. They are seen singly or in pairs or in small family parties. They are diurnal in habit and their food consists of various leaves and grasses. The call from a distance sounds much like the bark of a dog and hence the name Barking Deer. In Gujarat the barking deer can be sighted in Shoolpaneshwar, Dang, Jambughoda and Ratanmahals.

BLACK BUCK (Antelope cervicapra)

The Male of this elegant antelope has striking black and white colouration and beautiful spiralled horns. The female is dull creamy brown and white in colour and lacks long horns. It can run at a speed of about 80 kms per hour, making it one of the fastest antelopes. This antelope resides in grasslands, agricultural land and Vidis. In Gujarat it is mainly found in the grassland of Bhal, Kadi taluka of Mehsana district and some other regions of Saurashtra. Velavadar Black-buck National Park has been specially declared in bhal region for the conservation of this species. The blackbucks graze on grass and cereal crops. Their average life span is 10 to 13 years. This antelope has been put in Schedule I under Wild Life Protection Act.

INDIAN ROCK PYTHON (Python molurus)

Indian Rock Python is the longest, non venomous snake found in India. An adult snake is on an average 20-25 feet long. This snake can be easily identified due to its heavy and long body and distinct black and yellow pattered body. This snake inhabits dense and rocky forests. Python is a good swimmer and hence inhabits riverine jungles and water logged areas. It can also feed on large mammals like chinkara or spotted deer. It kills the prey by winding its long body tightly across the body of the prey, suffocates it and eventually after the animal is dead gulps it. This is due to its adaptation of highly stretchable mouth and abdominal cavity. In Gujarat this snake is mainly found in forests of South Gujarat.

MARSH CROCODILE (Crocodilus palustris)

India has three species of crocodiles, which include two fresh water crocodiles and one salt water crocodile, of which only marsh crocodile is found in Gujarat. The marsh crocodile, popularly called mugger is found in the riverine and freshwater wetlands like ponds and lakes of Gujarat. The crocodiles are believed to be the direct descendants of the dinosaurs. The fossils of crocodile ancestors are found in Kachchh. The Government has started the Crocodile Conservation Project and established few crocodile breeding centres across the country. Out of these few are in Gujarat. A breeding centre at Sasan Gir, Junagadh being the most popular due to the occurrence of crocodiles in rivers such as "Hiran", "Shingoda" "Machundari and Raval Dam. In Gujarat Crocodiles are sighted in 14 districts with maximum population in Junagadh and Vadodara.