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Mumbai Confidential: 10 Animal Species You Didn't Know Lived Here

Updated On: 26 October, 2024 05:04 PM IST | Asif Ali Sayed

Mumbai is well-known for Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Aarey Forest, both located within the city limits and brimming with biodiversity amid urban surroundings. Remarkably, it has the highest density of leopards in the world, and its effective human-wildlife coexistence has garnered international recognition. Story By: Ranjeet Jadhav

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Mouse Deer. It is the smallest deer species in India. It is shy and solitary. A Mouse Deer's habitat is generally dense forest and undergrowth. It can be spotted at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Aarey Forest. Photo Credit: Shantanu Kuveskar

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Mouse Deer. It is the smallest deer species in India. It is shy and solitary. A Mouse Deer's habitat is generally dense forest and undergrowth. It can be spotted at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Aarey Forest. Photo Credit: Shantanu Kuveskar
Name: Sambar  Characteristics: Largest deer in India, males have large antlers  Habitat: Dense forests, grasslands, hills and mountains  Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) & Aarey ForestPhoto Credit: Nayan Khanolkar

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Name: Sambar  
Characteristics: Largest deer in India, males have large antlers  
Habitat: Dense forests, grasslands, hills and mountains  
Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) & Aarey Forest
Photo Credit: Nayan Khanolkar

Name: Rusty Spotted Cat  Characteristics: One of the smallest wild cats in the world  Habitat: Dry and mixed deciduous forests, scrub jungle, and grasslands  Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Aarey ForestPhoto Credit: RESQCT

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Name: Rusty Spotted Cat  
Characteristics: One of the smallest wild cats in the world  
Habitat: Dry and mixed deciduous forests, scrub jungle, and grasslands  
Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Aarey Forest
Photo Credit: RESQCT

Name:  Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher  Characteristics: Small, colorful migratory bird known as the 'Flying Jewel'  Habitat: Forested areas, Mud banks near waterWhere in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Karnala Wildlife Sanctuary (Monsoon visitor)Photo Credit:Mayank Dhanawade

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Name:  Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher  
Characteristics: Small, colorful migratory bird known as the 'Flying Jewel'  
Habitat: Forested areas, Mud banks near water
Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Karnala Wildlife Sanctuary (Monsoon visitor)
Photo Credit:Mayank Dhanawade

Name: Golden Jackal  Characteristics: Versatile scavenger, often confused with domestic dogs  Habitat: Scrub jungle, forests, grasslands, wetlands, and waste bins near urban areasWhere in Mumbai: Bhandup Pumping Station, Vikhroli and Bhandup MangrovesPhoto Credit: Rajesh Sanap

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Name: Golden Jackal  
Characteristics: Versatile scavenger, often confused with domestic dogs  
Habitat: Scrub jungle, forests, grasslands, wetlands, and waste bins near urban areas
Where in Mumbai: Bhandup Pumping Station, Vikhroli and Bhandup Mangroves
Photo Credit: Rajesh Sanap

Name:  Bombay Dorid Slug  Characteristics: Recently rediscovered  (2017) Sea slug species named after Mumbai  Habitat: Tide Pools in Rocky Coastal areas  Where in Mumbai: Haji Ali, PDP and other parts of Mumbai coastPhoto Credit: Shaunak Modi

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Name:  Bombay Dorid Slug  
Characteristics: Recently rediscovered  (2017) Sea slug species named after Mumbai  
Habitat: Tide Pools in Rocky Coastal areas  
Where in Mumbai: Haji Ali, PDP and other parts of Mumbai coast
Photo Credit: Shaunak Modi

Name: Jungle CatCharacteristics: Highly adaptable wild cat  Habitat: Wetlands, grasslands, scrublands, deciduous forestsWhere in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Aarey ForestPhoto Credit: Nayan Khanolkar

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Name: Jungle Cat
Characteristics: Highly adaptable wild cat  
Habitat: Wetlands, grasslands, scrublands, deciduous forests
Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Aarey Forest
Photo Credit: Nayan Khanolkar

Name: Small Indian CivetCharacteristics: Nocturnal small mammal with banded tail and spots/stripesHabitat: Grasslands, forests, peri-urban areasWhere in Mumbai: SGNP, Aarey Forest, IIT Powai, CEC (BNHS), Film CityPicture credit: Ranjeet Jadhav

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Name: Small Indian Civet
Characteristics: Nocturnal small mammal with banded tail and spots/stripes
Habitat: Grasslands, forests, peri-urban areas
Where in Mumbai: SGNP, Aarey Forest, IIT Powai, CEC (BNHS), Film City
Picture credit: Ranjeet Jadhav

Name: Atlas Moth  Characteristics: One of the largest moths in the worldHabitat: Forested areasWhere in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, CEC (BNHS)Photo Credit: Eknath Mandal

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Name: Atlas Moth  
Characteristics: One of the largest moths in the world
Habitat: Forested areas
Where in Mumbai: Sanjay Gandhi National Park, CEC (BNHS)
Photo Credit: Eknath Mandal

Name: Zoanthids  Characteristics: Colorful solitary corals (Cnidarians) found in tidepools and coral reefs  Habitat: Coral reefs and intertidal regions in marine environments  Where in Mumbai: Mumbai Coast (PDP, Haji Ali, Khardanda, Juhu, Gorai)Photo Credit: Dr Abhishek Satam MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL: 10 Animal Species You Didn’t Know Lived Here Mumbai is well-known for Sanjay Gandhi National Park and Aarey Forest, both located within the city limits and brimming with biodiversity amid urban surroundings. Remarkably, it has the highest density of… pic.twitter.com/1NDL4OKkL3 — Mid Day (@mid_day) October 26, 2024

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Name: Zoanthids  
Characteristics: Colorful solitary corals (Cnidarians) found in tidepools and coral reefs  
Habitat: Coral reefs and intertidal regions in marine environments  
Where in Mumbai: Mumbai Coast (PDP, Haji Ali, Khardanda, Juhu, Gorai)
Photo Credit: Dr Abhishek Satam

Photo of Day

Phool-ing around

Phool-ing around

A troop of Bonnet Macaques have a field day playing with fresh flowers at the Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali. PIC/SATEJ SHINDE

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