Adventures in India

The rich and diverse forest of the Sanjay Gandhi National Park holds more than thousand species of plants, 40 species of mammals, 251 species of birds covering migratory, land and water birds, 38 species of reptiles and 9 species of amphibians besides a large variety of fishes, insects and other creatures.

The forest is literally teeming with life in all its myriad forms. Leopards flourish here and are probably present in the highest known density of population in this wilderness. Spotted deer, Sambar, Chowrsingha (four horned antelope), Wild boar, Mongoose, Civet cat, Jungle cat, Langurs (leaf monkeys), Black Naped Hare, Barking Deer, Porcupine, Palm Civet, Mouse Deer, Rhesus Macaque, Bounet Macaque, Hanuman Langur, Indian Flying Fox (and 16 other bat species), Macaques are possible sightings for a serious observer. It is not uncommon to find deer crossing the road in the early morning or late evening.

The very high density of leopards almost guarantees a sighting to very early morning or very late evening adventurers venturing into the forest (or even on the road to Kanheri Caves). Tiger pug marks and droppings were reported here in 2003, which created quite some excitement, as the last known tiger in this region was some 80 years ago. However, the tiger was never found.

Most snakes common to the Western Ghats of India are to be found here. Notable among them are Pythons, Cobras, Monitor Lizards, Russell's Viper, Bamboo Pit Viper and Ceylonese Cat Snake. Monitor Lizards, crocodiles, a variety of other lizards, geckos and skinks add to the reptile world here.

Birdwatching here is very promising all through the year except for the monsoon, when dense foliage makes sightings difficult but bird calls abound. Notable species out of a total observed 251 species include the tiny Tickell's flowerpecker, many species of sunbirds, the majestic white bellied sea eagle, paradise flycatcher, trogon, many species of Kingfishers, mynas, swifts, gulls, egrets, herons, woodpeckers and drongos, Large green barbet, Parakeets, Racket-tailed Drongo, Blue flycatcher, Malabar whistling thrush, Spotted babbler, Magpie Robins, jungle owlets, golden orioles, minivets, hornbills, bulbuls, peacock, and woodpeckers.

Spiders include Giant wood spiders, Ornamental spiders, Signature spiders, Black Wood Spider, Cat-legged Spider (Indian Tarantula)

Other invertebrates are several species of beetles, mantis, grasshoppers, Silk cotton bugs, moths and butterflies. Several butterflies of interest are to be found here like the Blue Mormon, the Oak leaf, Jezebels, Large Yellow and White Orange tips, Monarchs, Egg fly, Sailors The SGNP has 2.5 times more the number of butterflies in UK. The world largest moth – the Altas moth can be found here.