Almost Famous Species News

Our Almost Famous Species series features lesser known species from India. It is created in the hope that familiarity will help generate concern and action for under-appreciated species. Through the series, we introduce to you India's gamut of invertebrates, birds and marine flora and fauna, which perhaps don't get as much attention as our more popular big cats and elephants. Stretching from the Nicobar Islands very close to the equator to the Western Himalaya in the north, India covers about 30 degrees of latitude, with a long coastline on its peninsula. The wide geographic extent, topographic features with multiple long mountain ranges and fertile river basins, and the monsoon winds give rise to a plethora of habitats that have been home to a variety of creatures. Yet, any mention of Indian wildlife always conjures up images of charismatic large mammals. We acknowledge that these are interesting; but we want to draw back the curtain on other species that are equally fascinating.

Capturing the secret lives of small cats

Covered in mud, buried under myths

Baby snakes with toxic traits

Misinformation about Russell’s viper stokes incidents of snake killing in Assam

[Book review] A know-it-all book on the cat with black ears

Himalayan pikas wait for weather cues to make winter plans

Fading ties with Mumbai’s mudskippers

Indus river dolphins in troubled waters

Biologists turn content creators to teach Indians about native biodiversity, ethically

Wild Frequencies: Find Them

A Ladakhi podcast spurs conversations about wildlife and conservation

New study puts spotlight on neglected mammal, bird pollinators 

From fear to fascination: More research and awareness to protect India’s misunderstood spiders

Study finds leopard cats and red foxes cohabit regions in the Western Himalayas

Civet latrines in the shade puzzle researchers

Small cats’ ecology review flags declining conservation status

[Explainer] How are species named?

Population rise a bittersweet win for greater adjutant storks, as poison enters their diet

Genes connect, geography separates red pandas

Endangered Gangetic dolphins found in most tributaries of Ganges, prompting urgent conservation

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