HARMONY IN THE JUNGLE

Rhinoceros, often referred to as rhinos, are large mammals

comes to hunting in grasslands, mountainous regions and

native to Asia and Africa. While Asia is home to 3 rhino

rainforests. According to the IUCN, there exist 9 species of

species - the Javan rhino, Sumatran rhino, and the Indian

leopards - the most prominent ones being the Indian leopard,

rhino, Africa is home to 2 - the Black rhino and the White rhino.

Javan leopard, Amur leopard, Sri Lankan leopard, etc. While

Their habitat spans the Savannas of Africa and the dense

some sources include snow leopard and clouded leopard as

tropical and subtropical forests of Asia. Of the 2 African

leopard subspecies, their inclusion is subject to debate.

species, the Black rhino - like its Asian counterparts - prefers

areas with dense vegetation. The Black rhino, Javan rhino and
the Sumatran rhino are considered 'Critically Endangered' by
the

IUCN.

Lemurs are the members of a group of primates called the

Strepsirrhines, endemic to the island of Madagascar. They are
often characterized by their large, reflective eyes, and wailing
cries. The 4 families of lemurs comprise 99 species, and their
sub-species. One of these is the Aye-aye, sporting rodent-like

Monkeys form yet another group of jungle animals, with more

teeth and a distinct, long middle finger. Growing to a length of

than

the

12-15 in. and weighing around 5.5 lbs, the Aye-aye is the world

world. These include the New World monkeys, like capuchins

largest nocturnal primate. Other prominent species of lemur

and marmosets, as well as the Old World monkeys, like

include the brown lemurs, dwarf lemurs, woolly lemurs, etc.

260

species

inhabiting

different

forests

of

baboons and macaques. Monkeys are normally differentiated

from the apes on the basis of their tails. The Pygmy Marmoset
is approximately 5-6 in. tall and weighs between 4-5 oz, while
the Mandrill is 3.3 ft. tall and weighs around 77 lbs. Most of
these species are arboreal, which makes the jungle the best
habitat

for

them.

The leopard, the smallest among the big cats, is native to

southern Asia and Africa. It is most often characterized by its
speed and ability to climb; traits which come handy when it

Hippopotamus is a herbivorous mammal native to the African

continent. It is characterized by its large size, enormous mouth
with large teeth and stubby legs. Hippos are ranked third in
terms of weight, after elephants and rhinoceros. It is the pygmy
hippopotamus which is usually known to inhabit the forested
areas. These aggressive creatures are regarded as the most
ferocious of the African wildlife. Found in abundance at one
time, today they are battling for their basic survival owing to

HARMONY IN THE JUNGLE

excessive

poaching

and

loss

of

habitat.

a height of 8.2-13 ft. and weight of 5,000-14,000 lbs, which is

specifically the largest land animal on the planet. It is 1 of the 3

Gorillas are the largest living primates on the planet in terms of

size. Basically, there exist 2 species of gorillas - the Western
gorillas and the Eastern gorillas; their geographical range is
separated by the Congo River and its tributaries. The exact
number of gorilla sub-species however, is a subject of

extant elephant species; other 2 being the African forest

elephant and the Asian elephant. As their name suggests, the
African forest elephants are known to inhabit the dense forests
of Africa. The Asian elephants, on the other hand, are usually
found

in

the

forested

areas

of

Asia.

contention-with some sources stating 4 sub-species and some

stating 5. These ground dwelling primates are herbivorous in

A deer is a ruminant mammal belonging to the Cervidae family

nature, and therefore the tropical and subtropical moist

of animals. Almost all males grow and shed horns ever year,

roadleaf forests make an ideal habitat for them.

and that distinguishes them from animals with permanent

Foxes are small to medium-sized canids, sporting a long

narrow snout and a bushy tail. There are 37 identified species
of this animal spread all over the world. Some of the most
popular species are the red fox, kit fox, Arctic fox, fennec fox,
Darwin's fox, crab-eating fox, etc. Found almost on all the
continents, the red fox is the most common species of fox. The
fennec fox is the smallest of the species, growing to a length of

horns, like the antelopes. The moose (also referred to as

Eurasian elk) native to North America and Europe, is the
largest species of deer, while the Pudu, native to South
America, is the smallest. Other prominent species include the
reindeer, sambar, barasingha (swamp deer), spotted deer,
fallow deer, red deer, black-tailed deer and the white-tailed
deer.

about 9.5-16 in. and weighing between 2.2 to 3.3 lbs. Being
omnivorous in nature, foxes feed on berries, fruits, fish, birds,

Bears are mammalian species belonging to the Ursidae family

rodents,

of animals, and are found all over the Northern Hemisphere

rabbits,

reptiles

etc.

and some parts of the Southern Hemisphere. There are 8

While elephants are usually considered the largest land
mammals on planet Earth, it is the African bush elephant, with

living species of bears on the planet; the American black bear,

brown bear, Asian black bear, polar bear, sloth bear, sun bear,

HARMONY IN THE JUNGLE

spectacled bear, and the giant panda. Except for the polar
bear, which is completely carnivorous, and the Giant Panda,
with 90 percent of its diet comprising bamboo shoots, all other
species

of

bears

are

omnivorous

in

nature.