Mangalavanam- Kerala Trip

fauna Though the extent region is comparatively small, a large number of birds and other faunal elements were reported from the PA. In a recent study revealed that a total of 6 species of mammals ( Indian flying fox- Pteropus giganteus, painted bat- Kerivoula picta, three striped palm squirrel – Funnambulus sublineatus, house rat- Rattus rattus, bandicoot rat- Bandicota indica, and otter Lutra sp. ). Two species of amphibians ( Limnonectes limnocharis and Bufo melanostictus), and seven species of fishes ( Anabas testudines, Aplocheilus lineatus, Etroplus maculates, E. suratensis, Monopterus fossorius, Rasbora daniconius and Sarotherodon mossambica). Mangalavanam is primarily a bird refuge. A bird survey conducted recently in the month of May 2006, and found that 194 birds belonging to 32 species. The total number of bird species recorded so far from the area is 72. During a study conducted on 2006, it is recorded 17 species of butterflies in the PA. 51 species of spiders belonging to 40 genera and 16 families were recorded from the PA. This represented 27% of the total families reported from India.