Wildlife of Meghalaya
Tyrso Village Roosting
Amur Falcon
Amur Falcon is a small raptor of falcon family. Amur falcons breed in South-eastern Siberia and Northern China and migrate west through India.
Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot
A Key Area for Conservation
Meghalaya is identified as a key area for biodiversity conservation due to high species diversity and high level of endemism. It has attracted the attention of wildlife enthusiasts and research scholars from all over the country.
Carnivores
Carnivores of Meghalaya include wild felines like the Clouded Leopard (State Animal), Asiatic Golden Cat, Jungle Cat, Leopard Cat, Dhole, and Indian Wolf.
Near Threatened (Population Declining)
Asiatic Golden Cat
Catopuma temminckii
A robustly built, heavily muscled wild cat. It is famous for its extreme coat color variations (polymorphism), ranging from fox-red and golden-brown to grey and entirely black (melanistic). It has a distinct facial pattern of white lines bordered by dark brown running across its cheeks and over its head.
Highly Endangered - State Animal
Clouded Leopard
Neofelis nebulosa
The clouded leopard is an elusive, medium-sized wild cat native to the forests of Asia. Often called the "modern-day sabertooth" due to its remarkably long canines, it is an unparalleled arboreal predator famous for its unique ability to climb down tree trunks headfirst.
Least Concern (Population Declining)
Jungle cat
Felis chaus
A medium-sized feline distinguished by its long limbs, slender body, and short tail. Its coat is typically uniform sandy-grey, yellowish-brown, or tawny, lacking distinct body spots. It features prominent, pointed ears tipped with small tuffs of black hair, resembling a small lynx.
Least Concern
Leopard cat
Prionailurus bengalensis
They have a stable, widespread population across Asia. However, specific isolated subspecies—like the Tsushima leopard cat—are critically endangered. They are also frequently targeted for the illegal exotic pet trade.
Herbivores
Herbivores & Bovines roaming the protected forests include Asian Elephants, Gaur (Indian Bison), Sambar, Serow, and Barking Deer.
Endangered
Asian Elephant
Elephas maximus
A magnificent herbivore commonly found roaming the dense forests and corridors of Meghalaya.
Vulnerable
Gaur (Indian Bison)
Bos gaurus
The largest extant bovine, a powerful and iconic herbivore of the region.
Vulnerable
Sambar & Serow
Rusa unicolor / Capricornis thar
Sambar, Serow, and Barking Deer are frequently spotted grazing throughout the protected sanctuaries.
Omnivores
Omnivores in the state include Himalayan Black Bears, Sloth Bears, Jackals, Foxes, Large Indian Civets, and Yellow-throated Martens.
Vulnerable
Himalayan Black Bear & Sloth Bear
Ursus thibetanus / Melursus ursinus
Both the Sloth Bear and the elusive Himalayan Black Bear forage in the dense foliage across Meghalaya.
Least Concern
Jackals & Foxes
Canis aureus / Vulpes bengalensis
Common omnivores including the Golden Jackal and Bengal Fox are highly adaptable species in the State.
Protected
Small Omnivores
Viverridae & Mustelidae
The forests are also home to Large Indian Civets, Yellow-throated Marten, Mongoose, and Hog Badger.
Birds & Aquatic
Rich avian diversity including the Great Indian Hornbill and migratory species.
Vulnerable
Great Indian Hornbill
Buceros bicornis
An iconic large bird species residing in the undisturbed canopy forests of Meghalaya.
Primates
Primates include the Hoolock Gibbon (only Ape in India), Capped Langur, Slow Loris, and Macaque species.
Globally Endangered
Hoolock Gibbon
Hoolock hoolock
The only Ape found in India, along with the Capped Langur, both globally endangered species found in the State.
Vulnerable / Endangered
Macaques & Slow Loris
Macaca & Nycticebus
Other primates found are Bengal Slow Loris, Pig-tailed Macaque, Stump-tailed Macaque and Rhesus Macaque.
Reptiles
Reptiles include King Cobras, Pit Vipers, and indigenous forest snakes.
Vulnerable
King Cobra & Pit Vipers
Ophiophagus hannah
Rich reptilian fauna found across moist deciduous and subtropical evergreen ecosystems.