LIFE

1. Spotted deer:  

Found in large numbers in dense deciduous or semi-evergreen forests and open grasslands. They most commonly occur in herds of 10-50. Large stags stay in the center & surrounded by females & young.

2. Rufous treepie:

This bird belongs to family- Corvidae [crow]. Omnivorous species. Inhabit open scrub land, agricultural field, forests & urban gardens. Beneficial to palm cultivation as they feed on the grubs of destructive palm weevil.

3. Checkered keelback:

This snake is found in or near fresh water lakes or rivers. It feeds mainly on small fish and water frogs. Non-venomous. In this picture, the snake is killing a common toad. In bengali- জলঢোড়া সাপ.

4. Common nawab:

A beautiful fast-flying canopy butterfly. It is found in tropical Asia. It occurs in the Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim, the hills of Central India and the Eastern Ghats, the Western Ghats and Southern India. Eggs are laid on various species of Fabaceae plants.

5. Red pierrot:

Striking bright colouration. Distribution- South & South-East Asia. It is found in semi-arid plains, degraded patches of evergreen patches, and semi-evergreen forest, gardens, hill stations and forests , in fact wherever its foodplant, Kalanchoe, is abundant.

6. Pied paddy skimmer:

Medium sized pied dragonfly. Habitat- Wetland edges, weedy marshes and paddy fields. Perches low near wetlands; weakly flutters away to a nearby perch on being disturbed. Found in South & South-East Asia.

7. Praying mantis:

These insects are named so because of the typical "prayer-like" stance. These insects are exclusively predatory; most of them are ambush predator. They eat mainly insects, but also small scorpions, lizards, frogs, birds, snake, fish, even rodents. Sexual cannibalism- male is eaten by the female he is copulating. They have highly modified defence & camouflage mechanisms.

8. Camponotus parius:

Common ant species. Black ant with silvery metallic reflection. Generally moves faster. Found in fields & urban gardens. They have underground nests. They are day-active ant. Omnivorous.

9. Long-legged fly:

Generally small flies with large eyes & long legs & metallic colour on body. Tapering abdomen; somewhat pointed in female, & curved under in male. Adults are predatory on other small animals. Common along shore of stream, in wet meadows, moist woodlands.

10. Common baron:

It is a medium-sized butterfly native to India & South-East Asia. It flies with stiff wing beats & often glides. It flies at low heights & maintains a territory. Male flies plainly, but female flies stylishly.

11. Solenopsis geminata:

Commonly called as “Fire ant” as their bite is very painful. They are invasive species & can colonize easily human infrastructure & agricultural systems. But they are susceptible to competitive pressure from some other ant species. They are classified as “Hot climate specialist”. They more readily invade disturbed habitats.

12. Signature spider:

Eye catching garden spider. They build large web with a zig-zag signature-like pattern [stabilimentum], which looks like “X”. Mature female rests at the center of the web with her head facing downward. The silk thread of their web is somewhat tougher.

13. Yamfly:

The butterfly is rather skittish most of the time, preferring to flit from perch to perch in the low shrubbery. They generally perch with their wings folded upright, although some individuals have been observed to sunbathe with their wings partially opened during certain times of the day. Under-wing is dull orange in colour.

14. Greater coucal:

They are large in size & non-parasitic member of cuckoo order. Wide range of habitats from jungle to cultivation & urban gardens. They eat insects, caterpillars, small vertebrates, bird eggs, nestlings, fruits & eggs. They are weak fliers. Mostly seen walking on the ground while foraging.

15. Asian barred owlet:

Barring is less dense in comparison with Jungle owlet. Found in northern parts of Indian subcontinent & parts of South-East Asia. Inhabit open forest & scrub from lowlands up to ~2,800 m. It feeds on insects, lizards, frogs, small birds, mammals etc. Forage mainly during day.

 Mandakranta Dasgupta

2004