The animals are: 1. Gazelle 2. Blackbuck 3. Neelgai or Blue Bull 4. Indian Wild Ass 5. Wolf 6. Desert Fox 7. Desert Cat 8. Hare 9. Jackal 10. Great Indian Bustrad 11. Houbara Bustard 12. Common Indian Sandgrouse 13. Grey Partridge 14. Spiny-Tailed Lizard 15. Yellow Monitor Lizard.
Animal # 1. Gazelle (Gazella gazella):
It is the State mammal of Rajasthan, Locally it is called ‘Chinklo’ in Hindi—’Chinkara’. Indiscriminate hunting of it for meat is the major cause of decline of its number in certain localities. It is found in herds of 2 to 20 and sometimes more members. Its low requirement of drinking water enables it to survive in very arid tracts of Rajasthan where it depends solely upon grasses and wild fruits for its survival. (Fig. 15-1).
Animal # 2. Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra: rajputanae):
It has now largely become an animal of the sanctuaries. Locally it is called ‘Kalio hiran’ in Hindi ‘Kala hiran’. Major cause of its vanishing is indiscriminate hunting of it for meat and hide. Now it is surviving only around Bishnoies localities in less arid regions, particularly the Luni-basin.
Bishnoi hold the blackbuck as scared and resist its killing. Now their population has increased to a pest status and people who protected them are losing interest to protect them.
The Blackbuck is primarily a grazing animal which thrive mainly by browsing on desert top-feeds. The Blackbucks in the desert ingest a good deal of soil along-with plant materials during grazing. This habit of soil ingestion is likely to have considerable ecological significance in that the minerals in the soil help in partially mitigating the animals “Salt hunger”.
Unlike the Chinkara gazelle, the Blackbuck is not shade-seeking animal by nature. Even during the hottest part of a summer day, these animals may be seen sitting scattered in open, scrub grazing lands. They are hardly, if ever, seen to evade the mid-day sun by remaining in the shade below a tree.
The radiant and thermal energy loads on their bodies on such occasions must be considerable. This peculiar behaviour of the Blackbuck will remain difficult to explain until, and unless, it is experimentally varied that (i) its coat, though black in colour, actually reflects back much of the solar energy impinging on it (ii) its body water turnover rate is quite low or (iii) it has, like the camel, a labile body temperature.
Blackbuck in relation to its arid zone habitation would indicate that (i) the species has become more or less ruderal in its behaviour apparently instinctively, (ii) it subsists primarily on grazing and (iii) it is highly heat tolerant. Its widespread distribution in the Luni basin (including its sub-catchments) and in the saline tracts of Khatu, Didwana, Tal Chhappar etc., would speak of its rather high salt tolerance.
Animal # 3. Neelgai or Blue Bull:
The Neelgai or blue bull (Boselaphus tragocamelus) is found near tanks and crop fields in herds of 5 to 15. It is spared by men because it is considered as a sort of Gai (Cow).
Animal # 4. Indian Wild Ass (Equs hemionus khur):
It is a resident species of India and the little Rann of Kutch in Gujarat, is its last abode. The pockets of its concentration have been located in Kuda, Sami, Radhanpur, Bhachau etc. The Little Rann is a part of the Indian arid zone.
Grassy expanses on the stunted trees and bushes (bet) are the major source of energy to them and the halophytic vegetation of the remaining areas are vital for their survival during the major part of the year. But the asses keep to the higher and dier portion of the ‘bet’ on which coarse grasses sprout profusely.
They move uninterrupted from one ‘bet’ to another since the approach of these ‘bets’ from the main land is extremely difficult. They are frequently observed in the entire Rann either as solitary, in pairs or in herds of varying sizes ranging from 3 to 11 individual.
A herd is a stable family group consisting of adult females, their young’s of both sexes and with one dominant stallion. A juvenile has a prominent zebra-marking on the hind legs.
Since the declaration of Ass sanctuary on February 22, 1973 with an area of 4,840 sq. km. in the Little Rann, the population of ass is recovering slowly in several pockets of concentration.
Animal # 5. Wolf (Canis lupus):
Locally it is called ‘Chali nario’, in Hindi ‘Bhediya’. In want of natural prey e.g., the gazelle, hare and patridge in wild, it has turned serious sheep and goat lifter, hence villagers and shepherds hate it and shoot down it whenever possible.
Animal # 6. Desert Fox (Vulpes v. pusilla):
Locally it is called ‘Lokadi’, in Hindi it is called ‘Lomadi’. It is being indiscriminately hunted for pelt. This has endangered its survival. Now it is protected in Schedule I in 1972 Wildlife Protection Act.
Animal # 7. Desert Cat (Felis libyca):
It is sparsely distributed in the districts of Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Jodhpur etc. Nocturnal by habit they prey upon birds and small mammals. Now it has become rare because of loss of habitat dense scrub, and secondly due to hunting much by stray dogs of farmers and villagers.
Animal # 8. Hare (Lepus nigricollis):
It is common under thick bushes near water resources.
Animal # 9. Jackal (Canis aureus):
Locally called ‘Sialio’, in Hindi ‘Siyar’. It was quite common around villages but now endangered because of indiscriminate poaching for cheap pelts. In Rajasthan, now it is protected in Schedule I.
Indian arid zone is fairly rich in its avian fauna.
Animal # 10. Great Indian Bustrad (Choriotis nigriceps):
It is the State Bird of Rajasthan. Locally it is called ‘Godawan’, in Hindi ‘Hookna’. It is the most majestic bird. Indiscriminate hunting of it for meat has been the major cause of its vanishing. Now it is surviving in isolated remote pockets where nearby inhabitants protect wildlife.
The bird is found all the year round in the arid zone region. The bird is diurnal and its activities are dependent on the intensity of the sunlight. A bastard under the influence of alarm stretches its neck high to investigate the source of danger as well as to warn others against the lurking danger protective behaviour).
Often it crouches to merge with a landscape and remains undetectable by an intruder (deceiving behaviour). It roosts at the either in the foraging site or proceeds to the roosting site which may be even 10 km off.
The great Indian bustard is one of our rarest and grandest birds and is threatend with extinction but with timely steps taken the position appears to have changed for the better. The great Indian bustard is well adopted to arid country and occurs in arid regions of India.
The bustard has no hind-toe and is largely cursorial taking wing when necessary. It is nolygynous. The females alone incubate, keeping regular hours and taking care of the young.
The bustard is omnivorous ingesting large amount of animal and vegetable food and is a great locust eater while relishing small reptiles. Its feeding method of flushing insects attract birds such as the Black Drongo, Wagtails, Kestrels and some other birds. The ‘Godowan’ is the heaviest land bird in India, the cocks weighing over 12 Kg.
As a result it has to be content with vegetative food besides whatever prey comes in its way. A combination of grass scrub affords future hope for its survival as the bustard needs greenery, animal proteins and water which are essential for its well being.
The cumulative effect of habitat modification, unrestricted exploitation, low rate of egg laying (i.e., determinate egg-layer) and persecution has brought a catastrophic decline in the population density of the, species in its entire range.
Animal # 11. Houbara Bustard (Chlamydotis undulata):
Locally it is called ‘Tilor’. It is winter migratory small bustard.
Animal # 12. Common Indian Sandgrouse (Pterocles exustus):
P. exustus is fairy common throughout the Rajasthan desert and northern part of Gujarat. It is found in all types of habitats, especially on fallow grounds, ploughed open fields, barren stony hill slopes and regions with short grass. It is well camouflaged with the landscape. Flock of 2 to 400 birds have been noticed. They are primarily seed consumers.
Animal # 13. Grey Partridge:
Francoliuss pondieirianus is the next common game bird distributed throughout the arid region in thorny scrubs and grasslands along water canals and on the rocky slopes.
Arid zone winter is an abode for migratory birds, the important ones are: Houbara, Chlamydotis undulata ; Lesser florican, Sypheotides indica; Common crane, Grus grus; Imperial sandgrouse, Pterocles orientalis and several species of ducks.
Animal # 14. Spiny-Tailed Lizard (Uromastix hardwickii):
Locally it is callol ‘Sando’ in Hindi ‘Sanda’. It is being indiscriminately killed by tribemen and roadside indigenous-medicines sellers. Fat of its tail is sold as aphrodisiac oil and have remedial properties for many ailments.
Animal # 15. Yellow Monitor Lizard (Varanus griseus):
Locally it is callol ‘Chandan gohido’ in Hindi ‘Chandan goh’. It is eaten by some tribemen and its hide is in much demand for fancy leather articles.