In pictures: 8 wild animals to spot in India that aren’t tigers or elephants

Because the jungle isn’t just about stripes and trunks. India’s wildlife reputation may be built on the backs of majestic tigers and gentle giants like elephants, but if you try a bit harder, you’ll find wildlife that are just as fascinating, and often much weirder. From treetop fuzzballs to desert sprinters, here are 8 wild animals you can spot across India—minus the usual suspects. So, next time you go on safari, keep your camera ready, and be ready for the surprises.

Shy, solitary, and impossibly cute, the red panda is a tree-dwelling mammal that looks like a raccoon too. It’s mostly active at dawn and dusk and can be spotted in the dense forests of Khangchendzonga National Park in Sikkim and Singalila National Park, West Bengal. (Canva)

Looking like a pine cone on legs, the Indian pangolin is covered in scales and is rarely seen in the wild due to its nocturnal habits. It’s found in scattered parts of central India, like Satpura Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh is one of your best bets. Also, it eats ants with a tongue longer than its body. (Canva)

This endangered mountain ungulate has a dramatic profile and even more dramatic hangouts, which include steep cliffs and misty grasslands of Eravikulam National Park, Kerala. If you want to see one, head there during the blooming season of the Neelakurinji flowers. (Canva)

One of the heaviest flying birds in the world and sadly, one of the rarest too. This tall, ground-dwelling bird blends in effortlessly with the dry grasslands of Desert National Park in Rajasthan. (Canva)

The Indian wolf prefers the dry plains of Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. It’s leaner, more elusive, and travels in smaller packs. If you see one on a grassland safari in Velavadar National Park, you’ve officially made it to the cool side of wildlife watching. (Canva)

Burgundy, orange, and purple fur, along with a tail longer than its body. That’s the Malabar giant squirrel, often spotted leaping between treetops in Kudremukh and Wayanad, nestled in the Western Ghats. It’s a squirrel basically. (Canva)

Found only in a small region of Assam and Bhutan, this golden-furred primate looks straight out of a dream. Your best shot at seeing them is in Manas National Park, where they swing through treetops like chilled-out forest monks.

With wingspans reaching up to five feet, the Indian flying fox roosts in huge numbers in old trees across Kerala, Delhi, and even urban areas. You’ll spot them hanging upside-down like little leather vampires, waiting for dusk to raid fruit trees. (Canva)