Northeast India is a biodiversity hotspot, home to some of the most unique and rare species in the world. With its dense forests, rolling hills, and rich ecosystems, the region supports a variety of wildlife that cannot be found anywhere else. Here are ten remarkable animals that are exclusive to Northeast India.
Photo Credit :: Google
Hoolock Gibbon
India’s only native ape, the Hoolock gibbon, is found in the forests of Assam and other parts of Northeast India. These agile primates are smaller than other gibbon species and spend most of their lives in treetops, swinging effortlessly from branch to branch.
Photo Credit :: Google
White-Winged Wood Duck
This rare and elusive bird is primarily found in the wetlands and forests of Northeast India. With a striking white patch on its face and a dark body, the white-winged wood duck is one of the rarest duck species in the world, with only around 800 individuals left in the wild.
Photo Credit :: Google
Gayal (Mithun)
The Gayal, also known as Mithun, is a large, domesticated bovine species that thrives in the hills of Northeast India. Revered as a symbol of wealth and culture, it is the state animal of both Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
Photo Credit :: Google
Sangai
Endemic to Manipur’s Keibul Lamjao National Park, the Sangai is an elegant and rare species of deer often referred to as the "dancing deer" due to its graceful movements. Its unique habitat on floating grasslands makes it one of the most distinctive deer species in the world.
Photo Credit :: Google
Golden Langur
The Golden langur, with its striking golden fur and contrasting black face, is a rare and endangered primate found in Assam and parts of Bhutan. Known for their expressive nature, these langurs are often seen in treetops, moving in social groups.
Photo Credit :: Google
Philautus Garo
A rare frog species native to the Garo Hills of Meghalaya, Philautus garo is a small, brown frog with distinctive dark stripes. Its camouflaged appearance helps it blend seamlessly into its forest environment.
Photo Credit :: Google
Wall’s Keelback
This lesser-known snake species is found exclusively in the rivers and wetlands of Northeast India. Wall’s keelback is characterized by its dark brown-black coloration with white speckles, making it a unique reptile of the region.
Photo Credit :: Google
Malayan Giant Squirrel
One of the largest squirrels in the world, the Malayan giant squirrel is native to the forests of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, and Nagaland. It has a striking black and brown coat and a long, bushy tail, making it a spectacular sight in the wild.
Photo Credit :: Google
Pygmy Hog
The Pygmy hog is the smallest and rarest wild pig species in the world, found only in Assam’s grasslands. Once thought to be extinct, this tiny, shy animal was rediscovered in the 1970s and is now the focus of intensive conservation efforts.
Photo Credit :: Google
Assam Roofed Turtle
A distinctive turtle species found in Northeast India, the Assam roofed turtle is named for the raised ridge on its shell, which resembles a rooftop. This small but unique reptile thrives in the region’s freshwater ecosystems.
Photo Credit :: Google