Fauna of Pakistan

Pakistan's native fauna reflect its varied climatic zones.

Distribution

File:WildlifeofPakistan.JPG

Diversity of Wildlife in Pakistan.

For explanation on habitats, see Habitats of flora and fauna and Forestry in Pakistan.

Northern highlands and plains

The northern highlands include lower elevation areas of Potohar and Azad Kashmir regions and higher elevation areas embracing the foothills of Himalayan, Karakorum and Hindukush mountain ranges. Some of the wildlife species found on northern mountainous areas and Pothohar Plateau include the non-threatened mammal species of bharal, Eurasian lynx, Himalayan goral, Indian leopard, Marco Polo sheep, marmot (in Deosai National Park) and yellow-throated marten and birds species of chukar partridge, Eurasian eagle-owl, Himalayan monal and Himalayan snowcock and amphibian species of Himalayan toad and Muree Hills frog. The threatened ones include Asiatic black bear, Himalayan brown bear, Indian wolf, Kashmir gray langur, Kashmir red deer, markhor, rhesus macaque, Siberian ibex, smooth-coated otter and white-bellied musk deer, bird species of cheer pheasant, peregrine falcon, western tragopan and reptile species of mugger crocodile.

Indus plains and deserts of Sindh

River Indus and its numerous eastern tributaries of Chenab form many fluvial landforms that occupy most of Indus plains in Punjab and western Sindh. Some of the non-threatened mammal species of the Indus plains and the deserts of Sindh include the nilgai, red fox and wild boar, bird species of Alexandrine parakeet, barn owl, black kite, myna, hoopoe, Indian peafowl, red-vented bulbul, rock pigeon, shelduck and shikra, reptile species of Indian cobra, Indian star tortoise, Sindh krait and yellow monitor and amphibian species of Indus Valley bullfrog and Indus Valley toad. Some of the threatened mammal species include the axis deer, blackbuck, hog deer, Indian rhinoceros, Punjab urial and Sindh ibex, bird species of white-backed vulture and reptile species of black pond turtle and gharial. Grey partridge is one of the few birds that can be found in the Cholistan desert. The Tharparkar desert supports a fair population of the chinkara. The Asiatic wild ass migrates from the Indian part of the Great Rann of Kutch to the part in Pakistan in search of food. Wild boar numbers have increased because of the immunity they enjoy in a Muslim society that forbids its consumption by humans.

Western highlands, plains and deserts

Western region of Pakistan, most of which is enveloped in Balochistan province, has a complex geography. Some of the mammal species include the caracal, Balochistan dormouse, Blanford's fox, dromedary camel, goitered gazelle, Indian crested porcupine, long-eared hedgehog, markhor, ratel and striped hyena, bird species of bearded vulture, houbara bustard and merlin, reptile species of leopard gecko and saw-scaled viper and amphibian species of Balochistan toad.

Wetlands, coastal regions and marine life

There are a number of protected wetlands (under Ramsar Convention) across Pakistan. The wetlands are a habitat for migratory birds such as Dalmatian pelicans and demoiselle crane as well as predatory species of osprey, common kingfisher, fishing cat and leopard cat near the coastline. Chashma and Taunsa Barrage Dolphin Sanctuary protects the threatened species of Indus river dolphins which live in freshwater. The coastline of Pakistan is 1,050 km long and consists of a variety of habitat types, supporting a wide range of animals, of which over 1000 are fish species in the reefs of its continental shelf. West coast of Great Rann of Kutch, east to the Indus River Delta and below Tharparkar desert, is one of the few places where greater flamingos come to breed. It is also a habitat for endangered species of lesser florican. The Indus River Delta provide nesting grounds for common snakehead, giant snakehead, Indus baril and many species of catfish like rita. The hilsa swims up from the Arabian Sea to spawn in freshwater. Species that are important to people as food, such as the golden mahseer and large freshwater shrimp (Macrobrachium species), are part of the abundant aquatic life. Along the shores of Astola and Ormara beaches of Balochistan and Hawk'e Bay and Sandspit beaches of Sindh are nesting sites for five endangered species of sea turtles: green sea, loggerhead, hawksbill, olive ridley and leatherback. Sea snakes such as yellow-bellied sea snake are also found in the pelagic zone of the sea. The wetlands of Pakistan are also a home to the endangered species of gharial and mugger crocodile who prefer freshwater habitat.

Cultural significance

Title	Symbol	Picture
National animal	Markhor (Capra falconeri)
State animal	Snow leopard (Uncia uncia)	50px
National bird	Chukar partridge (Alectoris chukar)	50px
State bird	Shaheen falcon or Shaheen (Falco peregrinus peregrinator)	50px
National aquatic animal	Indus dolphin or Bhulan (Platanista minor)	50px
National fish	Mahseer (Tor putitora)	50px
National reptile	Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris)	50px
National amphibian	Indus Valley toad (Bufo stomaticus)	50px

Taxonomic classification

• Molluscs of Pakistan
  • Non-marine molluscs
  • Marine molluscs
• Arthropods of Pakistan
  • Ants of Pakistan
  • Odonates of Pakistan
  • Moths of Pakistan
  • Butterflies of Pakistan
  • Spiders of Pakistan
  • Crustaceans of Pakistan
• Chordates of Pakistan
  • Fishes of Pakistan
  • Amphibians of Pakistan
  • Reptiles of Pakistan
  • Birds of Pakistan
  • Mammals of Pakistan

See also

• Ecoregions of Pakistan
• Forestry in Pakistan
• Wildlife of Pakistan
• Flora of Pakistan