13. Symbols of India II

Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal of India and rank among the biggest cats in the world. India is home to largest number of Bengal tigers and the estimated populations of Bengal tiger in India increased to 3,890 individuals.

Indian Peacock or Indian Peafowl is the national bird of India, best known for long feathers and Peacock Dance before rain. It is a large bird, the male of which has very long tail feathers that it can spread out to show bright colours and patterns shaped like eyes. The bird is found in the drier lowland areas and a resident breeder across the Indian subcontinent.

The Ganges river dolphin has been declared as National Aquatic animal of India by the Indian government and also has been elected to be the city animal of the Guwahati. The South Asian river dolphin primarily found in the Ganges, Yamuna, Chambal river, Brahmaputra river and their tributaries.

King Cobra is selected as the National reptile of India, the species is endemic to India and Southeast Asia. It is a poisonous snake from Africa and southern Asia that makes itself look bigger and more threatening by spreading the skin at the back of its head. It is the sole member of its own genus and world’s longest venomous snake with a maximum length of 5.5 metres.

Indian Elephant has been declared as National Heritage animal of India, native to mainland Asia. The Indian elephant has been listed as endangered and threatened by habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation.