Sitamata Sanctuary
A major attraction is the Sitamata Wildlife Sanctuary spread over an area of 425sq. Kms.
The Bamboo, Teak and dry deciduous forests provide shelter to flying squirrels -which can be seen only in Northern India, Panthers, Pangolin, Sambhar, Chinkara, Wild boar, Chausingha, pythons and crocodiles and many other species.
FLYING SQUIRREL:
includes 44 giant “flying squirrels” found only in the Sitamata jungle in Northern India. This squirrel actually does not fly but glides up to 70 meters from tree to tree at night foraging for food and housing materials.
This squirrel is nocturnal and comes out of their tree home at the exact moment of dusk. It waits patiently watching for any threats and then takes the first flight of the evening to a nearby tree to enjoy a “breakfast” of Maduka Indica leaves.
This squirrel is one of the Indian jungles most glorious sights
PANTHERA PARDUS:
Family: Felidae
Population: 18000-20000
Habitat: Evergreen, dry and wet deciduous forests, scrub forest, rocky outcrops with grassy areas.
Most Active: At night
Size: Body length 1.85-2.15m, weight 39-67kg
The Indian Panther prey upon deer, cattle, dogs, lizard, rats and birds. The Panther is terrestrial and travels upto 80km in one night. In the Sitamata Jungle the Panther live in rock shelters and small caves next to water holes with grassy areas.
ATHENE BLEWITTI:
Size: Myna size
Field Characters: A lightly built hawk, ashy blue-grey above, white below cross-barred with rusty brown.
Distribution: Up to about 1300m.
Food: Lizards, mice, squirrels, birds etc.
JUNGLE CAT [FELIS CHAUS]:
Family: Felidae
Population: Endangered
Habitat: Grassland, scrub, dry deciduous and evergreen forests.
Most Active: At night
Size: 60cm.
Diet: Rats, small birds, eggs.
CORACIAS BENGHALENSIS:
Size: Pigeon size
Field Characters: A striking blue bird, with biggish head, heavy black bill, rufous – brown breast, and pale abdomen and under tail.
Distribution: Practically the entire Indian Union, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Myanmar.
Food: Insects.
