Endemic species of animals that are found in jammu and kashmir

 As we know that Endemic species are those species which are restricted to particular areas , location, regions and population. 

The total area of Jammu and Kashmir including ladakh is 2,22,236 sq.km including 1,20849 sq. Km which is illegally occupied by Pakistan and China shi* , No need to worry about it  because we gonna take  back what is ours.

Last year after the removal of article 370 , Jammu and Kashmir was divided into 2 Union territories i.e J N K And ladakh. So in this article we ll not discuss about the species found in ladakh region. The forest area of ladakh is around 17sq.km because it is a cold desert.

Acc to the Forest department of Jammu and Kashmir, the Jammu region is covered with 12,050 sq. Km under cover and 8,115 sq. Km in Kashmir. This region is home to many beautiful  and rare species of animals . So let's take a dig to know more about these species in this wildlife week (oct 2-8) . 

1. HANGUL 

SCIENTIFIC NAME - CERVUS CANADESIS HANGLU. 

FAMILY- Cervidae

IUNC STATUS - Critically endangered due to habitat loss, hunting and poching . 

HABITAT - Danchigham national park, forest areas of Doda kishtwar, Overa Aru and high mountains, valleys of Kashmir, generally found in areas between 1500- 3000 m from sea level. 

Earlier they were considered as  the native of Red deer species in India but now they are seen as a native of Elk in India. 

2. KASHMIRI MUSK DEER

SCIENTIFIC NAME - MOSCHUS CUPREUS 

FAMILY - MOSCHIDAE. 

STATUS- ENDANGERED due to habitat loss, poaching and hunting of this species for its scent glands called Musks. 

HABITAT- Remote, Alpline, rock , conferious forest generally between 3000- 3500 m in elevation. In Jammu and Kashmir overa-Aru, limber wildlife Sanctuary, kishtwar, Jammu . 

Only males carries musk glands between genitals and umbilicus. This species is shy nocutural and crepuscular. 

3. HIMALAYAN TAHR 

SCIENTIFIC NAME - HEMITRAGUS JEMLAHICUS 

FAMILY- Bovidae

IUNC STATUS - near threatened due to habitat loss 

HABITAT- A Brownish goat live in extremely harsh conditions and regions such as mountain slopes, oak forests, in Jammu and Kashmir it can be seen in kishtwar and Jammu and other adjacent regions. 

These species has small head, pointed ears and eyes, horns with 46 cms in length. The weight of male is around 73 kgs and female weight is 36 kg and can live up to 14-15 years. They are basically preyed upon by snow leopard.

4. MARKHOR

SCIENTIFIC NAME - CAPRA FALCONERI CASHMIRIENSIS

FAMILY- BOVIDAE

STATUS - CRITICALLY ENDANGERED 

HABITAT- Pine forest, birch forest , in jammu and Kashmir it can be seen in Banihal, pirpanjal range, Hirpora , limber, lachipora, Tarakutti. 

The magnificent spiral horned Markhor is the largest member of the goat family. 

The word Markhor is derived from persian language which means snake eater. The Markhor is known to kill and eat serpent in the folklore. And it's saliva or foam is useful in extracting the poison from snake bite. 

They are 65 to 115 cm tall and weight around 40 to 110 kgs. It is one of the 5 subspecies. 

5. SPOTTED DEER

SCIENTIFIC NAME - AXIS -AXIS

FAMILY - Bovidae

HABITAT-  Found in overall all parts of India but in Jammu n Kashmir major population is found in Manda deer Park, Mansar and Ramnagar wildlife Sanctuary. 

The weight of this species is 36 kg and lifespan of this species is 20 to 30 years. It is protected under schedule of the Indian wildlife act 1972.

This species is considered as most beautiful and decorative deer with strange feeding habits in mangrove region of West Bengal. 

6. IBEX

SCIENTIFIC NAME - CAPRA IBEX

FAMILY- BOVIDAE

STATUS- ENDANGERED

HABITAT- This species is distributed along steep crags, above the tree line, near the elevation ranging from 3000- 5300 m. 

It is a subspecies of wild mountain goat. The animal is 80-100 cm tall and weight around 60 kgs. 

They have a predilection for rugged terrain as an anti-predator strategies. 

They can live upto 20 years. Males are larger than females, having large recured horns. Their horns continue to grow till the death. 

7. BARKING DEER. 

SCIENTIFIC NAME-  MUNTIACUS MUNTJAK 

FAMILY - CERVIDAE

HABITAT - grasslands, scrubs forests, sub-tropical, deciduous, tropical, Savannas, scrub forests, hilly slope and slopes of the Himalayas ranging from sea level to 3000 m. 

They are terrestrial animals and are highly alert creature. After sensing a predator, they make barking like sound. They are omnivores and also  feeds on eggs, small and warm blooded animals. 

They are hunted for their meat and skin.  This species is recognize with self brownish hair. Males use scant glands to mark their territories. 

8. HIMALAYAN BROWN BEAR

SCIENTIFIC NAME - URSUS ARCTOS

FAMILY - URSIDAE

HABITAT - Alpine , scurbs, occasionally near sub-alpha forest , in j n k it can be seen in limber, Hirpora, kisthwar, Jammu. 

It is the largest mammal in the region and can reach up to 7 ft. It is the largest omnivores animal in the world. 

This species go to hibernation in October which occurs  in den and cave. 

They are omnivores and can prey large animals like deers and cattles.

The Himalayan brown bears is critically endangered. They are killed  for their claws, furs and organs to make ornaments and medicines. 

9. ASIATIC BLACK BEAR

SCIENTIFIC NAME- URSUS  THIBETANUS 

FAMILY - URSIDAE

IUNC STATUS- VULNERABLE 

HABITAT- heavily forested broad leaved  , conferious forest, deciduous forest, mixed  and thornbush , can be find up to elevetion from sealevel to  3700m. In j n k it can be seen in Kashmir valley and Danchigam national park. 

It is also known as moon bear, white chested bear. It is medium sized bear, this is omnivores but can be very aggressive. 

It is 105- 190 cm in lenght and 70- 100 cm tall  . Male weigh around 200kgs and female upto 125kg . They are dirunal and can climb trees. 

10. COMMON LEOPARD

SCIENTIFIC NAME - PANTHERA PARDUS 

FAMILY - FELIDAE

IUNC STAUTUS - Endangered

Habitat- plains, deciduous and evergreen forests, scurbs, jungle and  fringes of human habitation. In j n k it can be seen in all protected areas,. 

The males are about 60-70 tall and 90-196 in length. The weight of males are 37 to 90 kg and females are a round 28 to 60 kg. 

Leopard belongs to big cat and are top predator of the region.

They are hunted illegally for their body parts and smuggled for their body parts in the black market for medicinal purposes.

Leopards are shy but aggressive animals. In jammu and Kashmir , they have bad reputation for killing humans . 

11. SNOW LEOPARD

SCIENTIFIC NAME- UNCIA UNCIA

FAMILY- FELIDAE

IUNC STATUS - ENDANGERED

HABITAT-  alpine steppes, grasslands, scrubs above tree line, sub-alpine, Elevation ranging from 3000- 4500m ,rocky terrain area. In Jammu n Kashmir it is found in Himalayan belts and Hemis national park. 

It is also known as ounce. It is best known for living in the cold mountainous environment. 

Their habitat ranges from 12 to 39sq km. Sq. They are solitary animals. 

This species is a carnivore and hunt Himalayan blue sheep, Argail, Markhor, Wild goat, Chiru and other animals.

They are ambush hunters, in India there are only 516-524 population of snow leopard.

It's fur is whitish to greyish with black spots on heads and necks. 

The shoulder height of this species is 56 cms and head to body length is around 75- to 150 cms. And weights around 22 to 75 kgs