National Animal of India

The national animal of India is the magnificent Royal Bengal Tiger. Its scientific name is Panthera tigris tigris. The Bengal Tiger is a striped animal with a thick yellow coat of fur with dark stripes. The Royal Bengal tiger is the symbol of strength, agility, and grace. The Royal Bengal Tiger is majestic, regal, and lethal at the same time which makes it one of the most distinguished carnivores among the Indian fauna. It is known for its mystic and charming features that set it apart from the rest of the wild animals found anywhere in India. It is these qualities that make it the national animal of India. 

National Animal of India: Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Clade	Synapsida
Class	Mammalia
Order	Carnivora
Family	Felidae
Genus	Panthera
Species	Panthera tigris
Subspecies	Panthera tigris tigris

National Animal of India: Where is it Found?

The national animal of India is mainly found in the following places.

Grasslands and dry scrubland (Ranthambore in Rajasthan)

Tropical and subtropical rainforests (Corbett in Uttarakhand/Periyar in Kerala)

Mangroves (Sunderbans)

Both wet and dry deciduous forests (Kanha in Madhya Pradesh/Simlipal in Odisha).

Life Span of A Tiger

A Bengal tiger has an average lifespan of 8 to 10 years in the wild.

The maximum lifespan of the wild specimen is about 15 years.

Very few tigers reach 15 years in the wild because they eventually become too weak to hunt large animals.

In captivity, Bengal tigers can live as long as 18 to 20 years.

India’s National Animal: Project Tiger

By 1973, the population of the tiger started dwindling at a rapid rate. Therefore, to preserve the regal and majestic animal Project Tiger was initiated in April 1973. The Project Tiger aims at protecting them from extinction and preserving areas of biological importance as a natural heritage forever representing as close as possible the diversity of ecosystems across the distribution of tigers in the country.

The national animal of India, the Royal Bengal Tiger was adopted as a national animal in April 1973.

In 1973, Project Tiger was initiated to protect the dwindling population of tigers in India during Prime Minister Indira Gandhi’s tenure.

Kailash Sankhala was the first director of Project Tiger.

Prior to 1973, the lion was the national animal of India.

At present India has 50 tiger reserves which are governed by Project Tiger.

List of National Animals of all Countries

Here is the full list of National Animals of all Countries.

Country	National Animal
Afghanistan	Marco Polo Sheep
Argentina	Puma
Australia	Kangaroo
Bangladesh	Royal Bengal Tiger
Belgium	Lion
Bhutan	Takin
Bolivia	Llama
Brazil	Jaguar
Bulgaria	Lion
Chile	Huemul
China	Chinese Dragon
Colombia	Andean Condor
Cuba	Cuban Crocodile
Cyprus	mouflon sheep
Denmark	Lion
Egypt	Saladin’s Eagle
England	Lion, Bulldog
Finland	Brown Bear
France	Gallic Rooster
Hungary	Turul
India	Royal Bengal Tiger
Iraq	Komodo Dragon
Ireland	Irish Wolfhound, Red Deer
Israel	gazelle
Japan	Pheasant, Koi
Jordan	Oryx
Malaysia	Malayan Tiger
Myanmar	peafowl
Netherlands	Lion
New Zealand	Moose
Norway	Lion
Pakistan	Markhor
Philippines	Carabao
Poland	White Eagle
Portugal	Iberian wolf
Puerto Rico	Coqui
Romania	lynx
Russia	Russian Brown Bear
Scotland	Unicorn and Lion
Singapore	Lion
South Africa	Springbok Antelope
South Korea	Korean Tiger
Spain	Bull
Sri Lanka	Lion
Taiwan	Formosan Black Bear
Thailand	Thai Elephant
United States of America	American Bison
Vietnam	Water Buffalo
Zimbabwe	Sable Antelope