Virtual Bangladesh: Geography : Animal life of Bangladesh
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The Royal Bengal Tiger
The majestic Royal Bengal Tiger is the national animal Bangladesh.
Highly endangered, the Royal Bengal can now be mostly be found in
the Sundarbans.
One of the largest of the 'big cats', it has extremely bold and
striking colour pattern - making it perhaps the most magnificent
and sought-after fiery beast of the world! The vivid pattern
of stripes on the glossy skin serves as a very effective camouflage
in the grasses and foliage almost in all the seasons.
The male averages 3 metres in length including 1 meter of tail
and wiighs about 180 kg., though much larger speciemens have been
lnown. The giant one is the Siberian tiger, almost 4 metres
long and weighing about 300 kg. |
The Sambar Deer
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Deers
The Sambar Deer is the most widely spread deer species in the
world, covering many countries in the Asian continent. It is also
one of the larger members of the deer family. Some males are known
to weigh up to 300 kgs and can grow to a height ranging from 135
- 150 cms at the shoulders.
These animals have a life expectancy ranging between 16 - 20 years.
They are the favourite prey species of the tiger. A large sambar
can feed a feed tiger for up to 4 days. Unlike the Spotted deer,
which shouts an alarm and darts away at the sight of a predator,
the sambar tends to alertly watch and keep giving alarm calls until
the danger has passed. A reason due to which many of them fall prey
for predators. The Sambar can be found in the wooded hills of the
north-east and east. |
The Barking Deer |
The Chital Deer |
The Chital (spotted
deer) is also very common in the forests of the Sundarban. The Chital
is perhaps the most beautiful of all deer. Its coat is bright rufous-fawn
profusely spotted with white at all ages and all seasons. They are
seen in herds of 10-30, which contains 2-3 stags. They are seen
in grassy forest glades, forest edges, woodland and shaded streams
in moist and dry deciduous forests upto 1000 m. Average height is
36 in. (90 cm.) and weighs about 190 lb. (85 kg.)
The barking deers are small deer of the forests. They are noted
for barking like dogs when alarmed and during the breeding season,
and for having tiny antlers and tusklike canine teeth. |
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Apes and Monkeys
Primates also abound all over Bangladesh, but most abundantly
in the Sundarbans and the Hill Tracts.
Amongst the various species you will find the Hoolock Gibbon (the
only ape in the subcontinent) as wells as langurs, and various species'
of monkeys.
Hoolock gibbons mate for life and defend their territories with
whistling songs that echo through the forests in the early mornings,
giving rise to their nickname of the "singing ape."
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Elephants
 The
elephant is mostly found in the wild in the Hill Tracts and is also
a protected animal.
Elephant habitat in Bangladesh is confined almost entirely to the
forested hills of the east, and even there habitat is giving way
to monoculture plantations of teak, rubber, and tea.
Only 200-350 wild elephants are thought to survive, with herds
moving between Bangladesh and neighbouring India.
There may be around 50 domestic elephants. |
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