Tag Archives: Gir National Park

Marsh Crocodile-Gir India

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The Mugger crocodile is a medium to large crocodilian species; an adult male may reach up to 4.5 meters (18 ft) in length and weigh 450 kg (1000 lbs). It has a distinctive aspect, and is the most alligator like of all crocodile species. While juvenile’s generally have a light tan coloring with some black cross-banding on the body and tail, adult specimens are generally gray to brown.

The Mugger is a hole-nesting species, with egg-laying taking place during the annual dry season.

Found this crocodile on than bank of a small river at Gir National Park, also known as Sasan Gir, a forest, national park, and wildlife sanctuary near Talala Gir in Gujarat, India.

Marsh Crocodile-Gir India

Lion Photo to Pencil Art

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One of my fellow members of the Catawba Valley Camera Club, Hickory – Judy Young is also a pencil sketch artist. She used my lion photo from Gir National Park, Gujarat, India to create a pencil art piece. Wonderful rendition by Judy!

Lion Photo to Pencil Art

A Crouching, Moving Leopard

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The Indian leopard has strong legs and a long well-formed tail, a broad muzzle, short ears, and small, yellowish-grey eyes, light grey ocular bulbs. Its coat is spotted and rosetted on a pale yellow to the yellowish-brown or golden background. Leopards are elusive, and solitary animals. They are active mainly from dusk till dawn but in some regions, they are nocturnal. 

 Here is a leopard on the move, crouching low to the ground as if stalking something in Gir National Park.

Leopard Crouching

Leopard in Stride

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The Lion is probably the biggest enemy of the Leopard and a fight to the death will ensue when they come into contact. Hyenas and Baboons have also been known to attack and kill Leopards, in particular the young cubs. Leopards climb trees to survey the surrounding area for food, stay cool in the shade, store their prey and, most importantly, escape potential danger.

A leopard in full stride at Gir National Park, Gujarat, India.

Leopard in Stride

Spots of a Leopard

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One can identify most leopards by their light color and distinctive dark spots. Those spots are called rosettes, because they resemble the shape of a rose. The coloration on leopards and many other animals has evolved because it helps them survive better. In the case of leopards, the alternating dark and light blends into the shadows and sunlight patches in the grasslands or forest where they live and makes it easier for them to sneak up on the the animals they hunt.

A young leopard strolls through Gir National Park …

Leopard Spots

Leopard Walk

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Indian Leopard or Leopards are elusive and one of the most beautiful and most loved Big Cat among all the Big Cat Species. The feline is ‘smaller’ as compared to the other member of the big cat family. Indian Leopard can adapt itself to varying environments with ease and because of this, is the most successful in an era of habitat destruction, poaching and progressively increasing invasive human settlements!

Here is a young leopard walking in Gir National Park.

Leopard Walk

Leopards in Gir

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Apart from the Asiatic lion, Gir National Park also has a sizeable number of another elusive cat—the Indian leopard. Gujarat is the only state in India where lions and leopards have coexisted. According to the last census of leopards carried out in 2016, their population was 1,395 across Gujarat of which about 450 were in Junagadh and Gir-Somnath. 

Leopard’s Majesty
Leopard with Purposeful Stride

Lioness in Profile

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Lionesses are the primary hunters of the pride. They are smaller and more agile than males and they use teamwork to bring an animal down. After a successful hunt, all the lions in the pride share the meal. But there is a pecking order, with the adult males eating first, followed by the lionesses and finally the cubs.

A lioness strolling at Gir National Park, Gujarat, India.

Lioness in Profile

Barasingha

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The Barasingha, also known as the swamp deer, is a deer species distributed in the Indian subcontinent. It is a deer species with conspicuously large antlers. Overall, this mammal has as much as 12 antlers. In fact, the name of this species has Hindi origin and means ’12-antlered deer’. Unfortunately, Barasingha is nowadays among the most vulnerable deer species not only in the Indian Peninsula, but also throughout the world. The remaining small population of this species inhabits protected sanctuaries of India.

Here is a young Barasingha with damaged skin in Gir National Park.

Barasingha

Woolly Necked Stork

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The Asian woolly-necked stork or Asian woollyneck is a species of large wading bird in the stork family. It is a medium-sized stork at 75–92 cm tall. The iris is deep crimson or wine-red. The stork is glistening black overall with a black “skull cap”, a downy white neck which gives it its name. The lower belly and under-tail coverts are white, standing out from the rest of the dark colored plumage.

Here is a the woolly-necked stork gazing at its reflection while searching for food in Gir National Park.

Woolly Necked Stork

Marsh Crocodile

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Of the three crocodilian species found in India, the most common and widespread is the broad snouted Mugger Crocodile. Also known as Marsh Crocodile, this species inhabits a number of fresh water habitats such as rivers, lakes, reservoirs, hill streams, village ponds and man made tanks. Medium in size and very broad snouted, Muggers appear primarily grayish in color.

Here is a Mugger or Marsh crocodile captured in Gir National Park.

Marsh Crocodile
Marsh Crocodile Closeup