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Nature's Wonderland
Meghalaya
is a paradise to the botanists for its variedly rich concentration of
interesting and valuable flora. It is also no less a happy hunting ground
to the zoologists for its interesting, rare and diverse faunal wealth.
Meghalaya is considered by many biologists to have been the gateway
through which many species of Indo-Chinese origin, particularly mammals
migrated to Peninsular India. It is said that about 50% of the total
number of mammal genera found in the entire Indian sub-continent can be
seen in Meghalaya and its adjoining states in the Northeast. Out of the
above, nine genera of mammals, such as Tupaia, Rhizomys, Cannomys,
Chiropodomys, Micromys, etc occur only in Meghalaya and
its adjacent areas.
Some of the most interesting animals found in Meghalaya are:
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Avifauna
In the forests of Meghalaya, specially in lower altitudes, multifarious
species of birds can be seen in abundance. Some of the common birds found
in Meghalaya include Hoopoe, long tailed Broadbill, Scarlet Minivet,
Burmese Roller, Blue Throated Barbet, red veted Bulbul, Himalayan black
Bulbul, Himalayan whistling Thrush, Spotted Forktail, black-breasted Kalij
Pheasant, red jungle Fowl, Mynas and Turtle Dove. Besides, Hornbills
including the Great Indian Hornbill, Florican, Owl, Black Drongo and many
other birds are also found.
Reptiles 
Reptile
population in Meghalaya includes lizards and snakes, poisonous and
non-poisonous. Important ones include Indian Cobra, King Cobra, Coral
Snake, Vipers, Python, blind Snake, Copperback, red-necked Kulback, and
Green tree Racer.
Besides mammals, birds and reptiles, Meghalaya has a number of amphibians
and fishes and insects. Amphibians like frogs, toads etc. and fishes like
Rohu, Mrigal, Kalibaus, Puti and many more of hill stream adaptation are
found abundantly in Meghalaya. Among the insect population, ants, flies,
bees, beetles are common.
Meghalaya's butterflies are world famous, among which are Blue Peacock,
the Karserhed, the Orange Oak Leaf, the Dipper, and the Bhutan Glory. It
is for this exquisitely diverse, rare and wonderful animal life that
Meghalaya is called a veritable Nature's Wonderland.
Mammals 
Some
species of different families of mammals namely Primates, the Cats,
Civets, Mongooses, Dogs, Bear, Weasels, Bats, Rodents, Elephants, Gaur,
Wild Buffalo, Serow, Deer, Pigs and Pangolins are seen roaming in the
forests of Meghalaya. In Meghalaya we come across apes as well as Monkeys
and Lemurs.
The only type of apes found in Meghalaya as also in India is Hoolock
Gibbon. In Meghalaya, both kind of Macaques and Langurs are found. Of the
macaques, Rhesus Macaque and Assamese Macaque are found. The Golden Langur
is a very rare species of Meghalaya and is on the verge of extinction.
They inhabit the evergreen forests of Meghalaya. Among lemurs, the Slow
Loris is found in Meghalaya.
The Feline Beauties
In Meghalaya, among the Cat Family the following are found: Tiger,
Leopard, Clouded Leopard, Golden Cat, Leopard Cat and Jungle Cat.
Civets-The Little Predators
In Meghalaya forests, the following are the most important Civets - the
large Indian Civets, the small Indian Civets, the Common Palm Civet or
Toddy Cat, the Bintuong or Bear Cat.
Mongooses-The Smaller Hunters
In Meghalaya, the usual types of Mongooses found include the common
Mongoose and the small Indian Mongoose.
The Scavenger Mammals
The Dog Family comprises Wolves, Jackals, Foxes and Dogs, all of which
are found in Meghalaya. In Meghalaya, the Indian foxes are commonly found,
inhabiting the open country and seldom enters forest area.
The Hefty Climbers
In Meghalaya, usually two species of bears are found - Sloth Bear and The
Himalayan Black Bear.
The Weasel Family
The Weasel Family in Meghalaya comprises Weasels, Otters, Martens and
Badgers. The Common Otter, Yellow Throated Marten and the Hog-Badger are
also commonly found.
The Supersonic Parachuted Animals
Both vegetarian and carnivorous bats are found in Meghalaya. Some bats
dwell on trees, but their most usual shelter is the cave. Meghalaya's
famous Siju Cave is very much infested with bats.
THE GNAWING ANIMAL
Meghalaya's most interesting rodents population include Flying Squirrel,
Malayan Giant Squirrel and Himalayan Squirrel.