7 incredible animals that call Aravallis their home and where to spot them

Aravalli is among the oldest mountain ranges on the planet. It stretches across Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Delhi. Beyond its historical and geological significance, the range is an ecological treasure. It is home to a wide variety of wildlife which call the mountain range their home. From leopard and hyena to Bengal tiger and nilgai, the range has supported these wildlife by providing them food and shelter.

A look at seven remarkable animals that call the Aravallis their home:

The whole Aravalli belt is known for leopard spotting. You can spot them in safe sanctuaries including Sariska Tiger Reserve and the Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, among others. It is a fact that leopards play a crucial role as apex predators in maintaining the overall health of the ecosystem.

Though tigers were historically not present in most of the Aravallis, conservation and reintroduction efforts led to a growing population of big cats in the region, especially at Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. Today, Sariska is known for being home to tigers.

Hyenas are scavengers. These live in dry scrub areas of the Aravallis. These creatures are extremely helpful in cleaning the ecosystem as they eat the smaller mammals and reduce disease spread. These mammals are extremely adaptable and can be found throughout forests in Haryana and Rajasthan. Hyenas are extremely important for the ecosystem.

The Nilgai, or blue bull, is the largest Asian antelope. These are a common herbivore living in Aravalli forests. Its robust size and grazing habits make it an important part of the food web, providing prey for carnivores. These can be spotted at dawn and dusk.

Indian Peafowl is one of the most stunning residents of the Aravalli. These birds can be spotted in forests and also close to human settlements. With their beautiful and iconic tail feathers, peafowl contribute to ecological diversity of the range.

The Indian pangolin is among the most endangered mammals in the region. These are nocturnal creatures and eat ants. These are best noted for their protective keratin scales. These creatures thrive in the forested regions of the Aravallis.

These are spread across in the Aravallis. These can be easily spotted close to water sources such as lakes and ponds. These reptiles are predators and eat ants, insects, and other small mammals. With this, they help maintain ecological balance.