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Animals of Pakistan: The Complete List

Pakistan’s varied landscapes, from the soaring peaks of the Himalayas to the expansive Indus River plains and coastal mangroves, create a mosaic of habitats supporting an astonishing array of wildlife. This ecological diversity means the country is a crucial home for many species, both common and rare, adapted to its unique environments.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ve compiled a list of 85 Animals of Pakistan, showcasing the remarkable biodiversity found across the nation. This includes everything from the resilient Afghan Tortoise to the swift Yellow-throated Marten. For each fascinating creature, you’ll find essential details such as its Scientific Name, typical Habitat, and crucial Conservation Status, all organized for easy reference below.

What types of animals can be found in Pakistan?

Pakistan is home to a broad spectrum of animal life, reflecting its diverse geography. You can find large mammals like the elusive snow leopard in the northern mountains and the endangered Indus River dolphin in its freshwater systems. Deserts host various reptiles and small mammals, while its wetlands and forests are rich in bird species, insects, and other creatures.

Are many animals in Pakistan endangered?

Unfortunately, several species in Pakistan face significant threats, leading to their endangered status. Factors such as habitat loss due to development, pollution, climate change, and poaching have impacted populations of animals like the national animal, the Markhor, the Indus River dolphin, and certain migratory birds. Conservation efforts are ongoing to protect these vulnerable species and their habitats.

Animals of Pakistan

Common Name Scientific Name Habitat Conservation Status
Snow Leopard Panthera uncia High-altitude mountains of the Himalayas, Karakoram, and Hindu Kush Vulnerable
Markhor Capra falconeri Steep, rocky terrain in mountain forests between 600 and 3,600 meters Near Threatened
Indus River Dolphin Platanista gangetica minor Lower reaches of the Indus River system Endangered
Himalayan Brown Bear Ursus arctos isabellinus High-altitude alpine meadows and subalpine forests of the Himalayas and Karakoram Critically Endangered
Asiatic Black Bear Ursus thibetanus Moist deciduous forests and mountainous regions of the Himalayas Vulnerable
Indian Pangolin Manis crassicaudata Arid, scrubland, and grassland areas Endangered
Persian Leopard Panthera pardus tulliana Rugged mountains and remote, dry forests in Balochistan and Sindh Endangered
Urial Ovis vignei Foothills and lower elevation mountains with grassy slopes Vulnerable
Himalayan Ibex Capra sibirica hemalayanus High-altitude rocky terrain and alpine meadows in the Karakoram and Himalayas Near Threatened
Chukar Partridge Alectoris chukar Rocky, arid hillsides and scrublands across the country Least Concern
Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustris Freshwater rivers, lakes, and marshes in Sindh and Balochistan Vulnerable
Gharial Gavialis gangeticus Large, clear, fast-flowing rivers of the Indus system Critically Endangered
Indian Wolf Canis lupus pallipes Arid plains, scrublands, and semi-deserts Least Concern
Striped Hyena Hyaena hyaena Arid and semi-arid scrublands, and open woodlands Near Threatened
Golden Jackal Canis aureus Grasslands, scrublands, and agricultural areas Least Concern
Caracal Caracal caracal Arid plains, scrublands, and dry, rocky hills Least Concern
Pallas’s Cat Otocolobus manul Cold, arid, rocky steppes in Balochistan’s highlands Near Threatened
Fishing Cat Prionailurus viverrinus Wetlands, marshes, and mangrove forests along the Indus delta Vulnerable
Leopard Cat Prionailurus bengalensis Forests, scrublands, and agricultural areas in the Himalayan foothills Least Concern
Rhesus Macaque Macaca mulatta Forests, scrublands, and human-dominated areas in northern Pakistan Least Concern
Himalayan Monal Lophophorus impejanus High-altitude sub-alpine and alpine forests and meadows Least Concern
Western Tragopan Tragopan melanocephalus Temperate and subalpine forests in the western Himalayas Vulnerable
Kashmir Flycatcher Ficedula subrubra Breeds in temperate mixed deciduous forests in the western Himalayas Vulnerable
Cheer Pheasant Catreus wallichii High-altitude grasslands and scrub on steep, rocky hillsides Vulnerable
Bearded Vulture Gypaetus barbatus High, rugged mountains of the Karakoram and Himalayas Near Threatened
White-rumped Vulture Gyps bengalensis Plains and open country near human habitation Critically Endangered
Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos Mountainous regions, open country, and cliffs Least Concern
Houbara Bustard Chlamydotis undulata Arid and semi-arid desert and steppe regions Vulnerable
Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo Winters in grasslands and agricultural fields near wetlands Least Concern
Indian Peafowl Pavo cristatus Foothills, grasslands, and agricultural areas Least Concern
Indian Cobra Naja naja Plains, forests, agricultural fields, and urban areas Not Evaluated by IUCN
Russell’s Viper Daboia russelii Grasslands, scrub jungles, and agricultural plains Least Concern
Saw-scaled Viper Echis carinatus Sandy, rocky, and arid regions of Sindh, Punjab, and Balochistan Least Concern
Indian Rock Python Python molurus Woodlands, rocky foothills, and river valleys Near Threatened
Bengal Monitor Varanus bengalensis Forests, riverbanks, and agricultural lands across the country Least Concern
Leopard Gecko Eublepharis macularius Dry, rocky grasslands and deserts of Pakistan and Afghanistan Least Concern
Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard Saara hardwickii Arid and semi-arid desert regions of the Thar Desert Near Threatened
Green Sea Turtle Chelonia mydas Nesting on sandy beaches of the Sindh and Balochistan coast Endangered
Indian Star Tortoise Geochelonia elegans Scrub forests and semi-arid grasslands in Sindh Vulnerable
Marco Polo Sheep Ovis ammon polii High-altitude plateaus and mountains of the Pamirs, above 3,500 meters Near Threatened
Blue Sheep Pseudois nayaur High-altitude alpine meadows and rocky slopes in the Himalayas and Karakoram Least Concern
Chinkara Gazella bennettii Arid plains, scrublands, and deserts of central and southern Pakistan Least Concern
Blackbuck Antilope cervicapra Grassy plains and open woodlands, now mainly in protected areas Least Concern
Hog Deer Axis porcinus Tall, dense grasslands and riverine forests, especially along the Indus Endangered
Indian Crested Porcupine Hystrix indica Forests, rocky areas, and agricultural lands across the country Least Concern
Cape Hare Lepus capensis Open grasslands, semi-deserts, and scrublands Least Concern
Long-tailed Marmot Marmota caudata High-altitude alpine meadows and grasslands in the Himalayas and Karakoram Least Concern
Woolly Flying Squirrel Eupetaurus cinereus High-altitude coniferous forests in remote Himalayan regions Endangered
Musk Deer Moschus chrysogaster Alpine forests and scrub in the Himalayas Endangered
Pallas’s Fish Eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus Large rivers and lakes in the lowlands and foothills Endangered
Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis Winters in open steppes, grasslands, and agricultural areas Endangered
Indian Flying Fox Pteropus medius Forests and urban areas with large trees for roosting Least Concern
Alexandrine Parakeet Psittacula eupatria Forests, woodlands, and agricultural areas, including urban parks Near Threatened
Orange Bullfinch Pyrrhula aurantiaca Temperate and subalpine forests of the western Himalayas Least Concern
Verditer Flycatcher Eumyias thalassinus Open temperate and subtropical forests Least Concern
Kaiser-i-Hind Teinopalpus imperialis High-altitude Himalayan forests Near Threatened
Sindh Ibex Capra aegagrus blythi Arid, rocky mountains of southern Balochistan and Sindh Vulnerable
Arabian Sea Humpback Whale Megaptera novaeangliae Coastal waters of the Arabian Sea off the Balochistan coast Endangered
Marsh Harrier Circus aeruginosus Reedbeds and wetlands throughout the country during winter Least Concern
Black Kite Milvus migrans Ubiquitous in urban centers, open country, and wetlands Least Concern
Common Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Open country, cliffs, and even urban buildings Least Concern
Saker Falcon Falco cherrug Winters in open plains and semi-deserts Endangered
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus Cliffs, mountains, and increasingly, tall urban structures Least Concern
Great Horned Owl Bubo virginianus Forests, deserts, and urban areas Least Concern
Spotted Owlet Athene brama Open habitats, agricultural land, and near human settlements Least Concern
Sand Cat Felis margarita Sandy and stony deserts of Balochistan Near Threatened
Jungle Cat Felis chaus Wetlands, scrublands, and riverine forests Least Concern
Smooth-coated Otter Lutrogale perspicillata Rivers, lakes, and mangrove swamps in the Indus basin Vulnerable
Golden Mahseer Tor putitora Fast-flowing rivers and streams of the Himalayan foothills Endangered
Siberian Crane Leucogeranus leucogeranus Formerly wintered in wetlands; now considered extirpated as a visitor Critically Endangered
Indian Flying Squirrel Petaurista philippensis Tropical and subtropical forests Least Concern
Marbled Polecat Vormela peregusna Arid steppes and semi-deserts of Balochistan Vulnerable
Indus Valley Toad Bufo stomaticus Plains, river valleys, and agricultural lands Least Concern
Skardu Frog Nanorana vicina High-altitude streams and springs in the Himalayas Vulnerable
Sind Krait Bungarus sindanus Arid and semi-arid plains of Sindh Least Concern
Afghan Tortoise Testudo horsfieldii Arid steppes and sandy areas in Balochistan Vulnerable
Olive Ridley Sea Turtle Lepidochelys olivacea Nests on sandy beaches along the Makran coast Vulnerable
Indus Baril Barilius modestus Freshwater rivers and streams of the Indus River system Least Concern
Himalayan Vulture Gyps himalayensis High-altitude mountains and plateaus Near Threatened
Eurasian Lynx Lynx lynx High-altitude forests and rocky areas in northern Pakistan Least Concern
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus Winters in large freshwater lakes and coastal lagoons Near Threatened
White-bellied Sea Eagle Haliaeetus leucogaster Coastal areas, estuaries, and large inland rivers Least Concern
Yellow-throated Marten Martes flavigula Himalayan forests Least Concern
Rock Agama Laudakia nupta Arid, rocky outcrops and cliffs in southern Pakistan Least Concern
Honey Badger Mellivora capensis Grasslands, forests, and arid regions Least Concern

Images and Descriptions

Snow Leopard

Snow Leopard

Known as the ‘Ghost of the Mountains,’ this elusive big cat has a smoky-gray coat with dark rosettes, perfectly camouflaged for hunting ibex and blue sheep in rugged, rocky terrain.

Markhor

Markhor

Pakistan’s national animal, this large wild goat is famed for its magnificent, tightly spiraled horns. It’s an agile climber, browsing on vegetation on precipitous cliffs.

Indus River Dolphin

Indus River Dolphin

A functionally blind freshwater dolphin that navigates and hunts using echolocation. It is one of the world’s rarest cetaceans and is endemic to the Indus River in Pakistan.

Himalayan Brown Bear

Himalayan Brown Bear

A large, reddish-brown subspecies of the brown bear, it is mostly herbivorous, feeding on roots and grasses, and hibernates in dens during winter. It is one of the rarest animals in the region.

Asiatic Black Bear

Asiatic Black Bear

Also known as the moon bear for the white, crescent-shaped patch on its chest. It is an omnivore and an adept climber, often foraging for fruits and nuts in trees.

Indian Pangolin

Indian Pangolin

A unique, nocturnal mammal covered in large, overlapping keratin scales. It feeds exclusively on ants and termites, using its long, sticky tongue to capture them from their nests.

Persian Leopard

Persian Leopard

A powerful and adaptable big cat, this subspecies is extremely rare in Pakistan. It is a solitary hunter with a diet that includes wild goats, boar, and smaller mammals.

Urial

Urial

A species of wild sheep with large, curved horns that curl outwards. Males are reddish-tan with a distinctive black ruff on their necks, and they live in herds on open, grassy terrain.

Himalayan Ibex

Himalayan Ibex

A wild goat species with impressive, long, scimitar-shaped horns. They are excellent climbers, often seen grazing on steep, treacherous slopes to avoid predators like the snow leopard.

Chukar Partridge

Chukar Partridge

The national bird of Pakistan, it is a rotund, ground-dwelling bird known for its distinctive ‘chuk-chuk’ call. It has a black gorget, a white throat, and bold stripes on its flanks.

Mugger Crocodile

Mugger Crocodile

A medium-sized crocodile that is a skilled ambush predator, feeding on fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. They are known for digging burrows to escape extreme temperatures.

Gharial

Gharial

A unique fish-eating crocodile distinguished by its very long, thin snout lined with sharp teeth. Once widespread, it is now on the brink of extinction due to habitat loss and pollution.

Indian Wolf

Indian Wolf

A subspecies of gray wolf adapted to warmer climates. They are smaller and have shorter fur than their northern relatives, hunting in small packs for antelopes, rodents, and hares.

Striped Hyena

Striped Hyena

A primarily nocturnal scavenger with powerful jaws capable of crushing bone. It has a distinctive sloping back, a shaggy mane, and dark vertical stripes on its body.

Golden Jackal

Golden Jackal

A highly adaptable canid that resembles a small wolf. It is an omnivorous and opportunistic feeder, scavenging and hunting small mammals, birds, and reptiles, often near human settlements.

Caracal

Caracal

A sleek, medium-sized wild cat with long, black-tufted ears. It is a formidable hunter, known for its incredible ability to leap into the air to catch birds in mid-flight.

Pallas's Cat

Pallas’s Cat

A small, stocky wild cat with a flattened face, low-set ears, and dense, long fur. This elusive feline is a specialist hunter of pikas and other small rodents in its harsh habitat.

Fishing Cat

Fishing Cat

A medium-sized wild cat that is perfectly adapted to a semi-aquatic life. It has partially webbed paws and is a skilled swimmer, primarily hunting for fish in shallow waters.

Leopard Cat

Leopard Cat

A small wild cat with leopard-like spots that is widespread across Asia. It is a nocturnal and solitary hunter, preying on small rodents, birds, reptiles, and insects.

Rhesus Macaque

Rhesus Macaque

A highly intelligent and adaptable primate with a pinkish face and expressive brown eyes. They live in large, social troops and have a varied diet of fruits, seeds, and small animals.

Himalayan Monal

Himalayan Monal

A spectacular, multi-colored pheasant, with the male displaying an iridescent plumage of metallic green, purple, red, and blue. It uses its strong beak to dig for roots and tubers.

Western Tragopan

Western Tragopan

One of the rarest and most beautiful pheasants, the male has a stunning plumage of black, crimson, and white spots, along with a bright blue and red inflatable throat lappet used in courtship displays.

Kashmir Flycatcher

Kashmir Flycatcher

A small, migratory passerine bird. The male has a distinctive reddish-orange throat and breast. It is a rare summer visitor, breeding in a very restricted range that includes northern Pakistan.

Cheer Pheasant

Cheer Pheasant

A large, long-tailed pheasant with a prominent crest and subtle gray-brown barring. It is known for its loud, ringing ‘cheer’ calls, especially during the early morning.

Bearded Vulture

Bearded Vulture

A magnificent bird of prey, also known as the Lammergeier. It is unique among vultures for its diet, which consists almost exclusively of bone marrow, which it gets by dropping large bones onto rocks.

White-rumped Vulture

White-rumped Vulture

Once abundant, this large vulture has suffered a catastrophic population decline due to poisoning from livestock medication. It is a social bird that feeds on carrion in large groups.

Golden Eagle

Golden Eagle

A powerful and majestic bird of prey with a broad wingspan and golden-brown plumage on its nape. It is a formidable hunter, preying on mammals, reptiles, and other birds.

Houbara Bustard

Houbara Bustard

A large, terrestrial bird that is well-camouflaged for its desert habitat. It is a prized game bird, and its populations are under threat from unsustainable hunting pressures.

Demoiselle Crane

Demoiselle Crane

The smallest species of crane, known for its elegant appearance and graceful courtship dance. Huge flocks pass through Pakistan on their arduous migration over the Himalayas.

Indian Peafowl

Indian Peafowl

The male, known as a peacock, is famous for its spectacular tail fan of iridescent blue, green, and gold feathers, used in elaborate courtship displays. It is a common sight in eastern Pakistan.

Indian Cobra

Indian Cobra

A highly venomous snake famous for the distinctive hood it flares when threatened. The back of the hood often has a pattern resembling spectacles. It preys on rodents, lizards, and frogs.

Russell's Viper

Russell’s Viper

A highly venomous viper responsible for many snakebite incidents. It is perfectly camouflaged with a pattern of dark brown ovals, and it delivers a powerful hemotoxic venom.

Saw-scaled Viper

Saw-scaled Viper

A small but extremely venomous viper, known for the characteristic sizzling sound it makes by rubbing its serrated scales together as a warning. It is nocturnal and very aggressive.

Indian Rock Python

Indian Rock Python

A large, non-venomous constrictor that can grow over 4 meters long. It is a slow-moving, ambush predator, killing its prey, such as deer and wild boar, by suffocation.

Bengal Monitor

Bengal Monitor

A large lizard that can grow up to 175 cm in length. It is a powerful predator and scavenger with a varied diet, using its keen sense of smell to find food.

Leopard Gecko

Leopard Gecko

A popular pet worldwide, this ground-dwelling, nocturnal gecko has movable eyelids and a distinctive spotted pattern. In the wild, it feeds on insects and other invertebrates.

Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard

Indian Spiny-tailed Lizard

A stout, herbivorous lizard that lives in extensive burrows. It is named for the sharp, spiny scales on its powerful tail, which it uses as a defensive weapon against predators.

Green Sea Turtle

Green Sea Turtle

A large marine turtle that migrates long distances between feeding grounds and nesting beaches. Females return to the same beaches where they were born to lay their eggs.

Indian Star Tortoise

Indian Star Tortoise

A small to medium-sized tortoise named for the beautiful, star-like patterns on its high-domed shell. Its unique shell shape helps it to right itself if it gets overturned.

Marco Polo Sheep

Marco Polo Sheep

A magnificent subspecies of argali, famous for its exceptionally long, spiraling horns, which can be over 140 cm long. It is adapted to the extreme cold and high altitudes of Central Asia.

Blue Sheep

Blue Sheep

Also known as Bharal, this animal is neither a true sheep nor a true goat. Its slate-gray coat provides excellent camouflage against the rocky cliffs where it lives and forages.

Chinkara

Chinkara

Also known as the Indian Gazelle, this small, graceful antelope is incredibly shy and can go for long periods without water, obtaining moisture from plants and dew.

Blackbuck

Blackbuck

A stunning antelope where mature males have a dark blackish-brown coat and long, spiraling horns. They are among the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds of over 80 km/h.

Hog Deer

Hog Deer

A small, stocky deer named for its pig-like habit of running through the undergrowth with its head down. Its population has severely declined due to habitat loss and hunting.

Indian Crested Porcupine

Indian Crested Porcupine

A large, nocturnal rodent covered in long, sharp quills, which are modified hairs. When threatened, it raises its quills and rattles them, charging backwards to impale a predator.

Cape Hare

Cape Hare

A nocturnal herbivore with long ears and powerful hind legs, adapted for spotting predators and making quick escapes. It is a common sight in the arid and semi-arid regions of the country.

Long-tailed Marmot

Long-tailed Marmot

A large ground squirrel that lives in social colonies and hibernates for up to seven months a year. They are known for their loud, whistling alarm calls.

Woolly Flying Squirrel

Woolly Flying Squirrel

One of the largest and rarest squirrels in the world. This nocturnal glider was thought to be extinct for decades before being rediscovered. It feeds on pine needles and buds.

Musk Deer

Musk Deer

A small, primitive deer that lacks antlers. Instead, males have long, tusk-like canine teeth and a musk gland, the product of which is highly valued in perfumes, leading to severe poaching.

Pallas's Fish Eagle

Pallas’s Fish Eagle

A large, powerful eagle with a distinctive pale head and a broad white band on its tail. It primarily feeds on large fish, which it snatches from the water’s surface with its sharp talons.

Steppe Eagle

Steppe Eagle

A large, migratory bird of prey that breeds in Central Asia and winters in Pakistan. It is often seen scavenging at carcasses but also hunts for small mammals and birds.

Indian Flying Fox

Indian Flying Fox

A large species of fruit bat with a wingspan of over a meter. They live in large, noisy colonies and play a vital role in pollination and seed dispersal.

Alexandrine Parakeet

Alexandrine Parakeet

A large, intelligent parakeet with a bright green plumage, a long tail, and a distinctive red patch on its shoulder. It is a highly social bird, often seen in noisy flocks.

Orange Bullfinch

Orange Bullfinch

A small, striking finch where the male has a bright orange head, breast, and back. It is a resident of high-altitude forests, feeding on seeds, buds, and berries.

Verditer Flycatcher

Verditer Flycatcher

A beautiful, small bird where the male is entirely a stunning turquoise-blue color. It is an insectivore, often seen sallying from a perch to catch insects in mid-air.

Kaiser-i-Hind

Kaiser-i-Hind

A rare and spectacular swallowtail butterfly, its name means “Emperor of India.” The male has iridescent green hindwings, making it a highly prized species among collectors.

Sindh Ibex

Sindh Ibex

A subspecies of wild goat found in the Kirthar and Hingol National Parks. It is slightly smaller than the Himalayan Ibex, with scimitar-shaped horns, and is well-adapted to the hot, dry climate.

Arabian Sea Humpback Whale

Arabian Sea Humpback Whale

A non-migratory and genetically distinct population of humpback whales. This isolated group is one of the most endangered whale populations in the world, facing threats from shipping and fishing.

Marsh Harrier

Marsh Harrier

A medium-sized bird of prey that glides low over marshes and fields while hunting. The male is pale gray, while the female is a rich chocolate brown with a creamy head.

Black Kite

Black Kite

A highly adaptable and opportunistic raptor, often seen soaring in large numbers over cities. It is a scavenger and predator with a diet that includes almost anything it can find or catch.

Common Kestrel

Common Kestrel

A small falcon known for its characteristic hunting method of hovering in mid-air before diving on its prey, which mainly consists of small mammals and insects.

Saker Falcon

Saker Falcon

A large, powerful falcon prized in falconry. It is a formidable hunter, preying on medium-sized mammals and birds. Its populations are declining due to habitat loss and illegal trapping.

Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon

Renowned as the fastest animal in the world, capable of reaching speeds over 320 km/h during its hunting stoop. It preys almost exclusively on other birds, caught in mid-flight.

Great Horned Owl

Great Horned Owl

A large and powerful owl, also known as the Indian Eagle-Owl. It has prominent ear tufts, large yellow eyes, and a deep, hooting call. It is a nocturnal predator of mammals and birds.

Spotted Owlet

Spotted Owlet

A small, common owl that is often active at dawn and dusk. It lives in small family groups and has a distinctive, chattering call. It roosts in tree hollows or old buildings.

Sand Cat

Sand Cat

A small, desert-specialist wild cat with broad, furred paws that protect it from hot sand. It is a nocturnal hunter of rodents, reptiles, and insects, and can survive without drinking water.

Jungle Cat

Jungle Cat

A long-legged cat with a sandy-gray coat and small ear tufts. Despite its name, it prefers open habitats over dense jungle and is a proficient hunter of rodents, birds, and fish.

Smooth-coated Otter

Smooth-coated Otter

A highly social species of otter that lives in family groups. It is an expert swimmer and fisher, recognizable by its smooth, sleek coat and flattened tail.

Golden Mahseer

Golden Mahseer

A large, powerful freshwater fish, often called the ‘tiger of the water’ for its fighting ability. It is a prized sport fish, threatened by dam construction and overfishing.

Siberian Crane

Siberian Crane

A large, snow-white crane with black primary feathers. Though it no longer winters in Pakistan, its historical presence highlights the importance of the region’s wetlands for migratory birds.

Indian Flying Squirrel

Indian Flying Squirrel

A large, nocturnal gliding squirrel. Using a membrane of skin between its limbs, it can glide for long distances between trees to forage for fruits, nuts, and leaves.

Marbled Polecat

Marbled Polecat

A small, striking carnivore with a marbled pattern of dark brown and yellowish patches on its back. It is a solitary, nocturnal hunter that preys on rodents and other small animals.

Indus Valley Toad

Indus Valley Toad

A common and widespread toad in Pakistan. It is a nocturnal insectivore that plays a crucial role in controlling agricultural pests. It breeds in temporary pools during the monsoon season.

Skardu Frog

Skardu Frog

A medium-sized frog endemic to the high-altitude regions of northern Pakistan and Kashmir. It is adapted to cold, fast-flowing mountain streams where it breeds and forages.

Sind Krait

Sind Krait

A highly venomous nocturnal snake. It has a glossy black body with narrow white crossbands. Its venom is a potent neurotoxin, making it one of the most dangerous snakes in the region.

Afghan Tortoise

Afghan Tortoise

Also known as the Russian Tortoise, this small species is a popular pet. It is an active burrower, digging extensive tunnels to escape the heat of the day and to hibernate.

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

The smallest and most abundant sea turtle. Known for its unique synchronized mass nesting behavior called ‘arribada,’ though this is rare on Pakistani beaches.

Indus Baril

Indus Baril

A small, silvery fish native to the freshwater systems of Pakistan. It is an important part of the riverine food web, feeding on insects and serving as prey for larger fish and birds.

Himalayan Vulture

Himalayan Vulture

One of the largest vultures and birds in Asia, it soars on thermal updrafts over the high Himalayas. It is a scavenger that feeds on the carcasses of large mammals like yaks.

Eurasian Lynx

Eurasian Lynx

A medium-sized wild cat with long ear tufts, a short tail, and large, padded paws that act like snowshoes. It is a secretive and solitary hunter of deer, goats, and smaller mammals.

Dalmatian Pelican

Dalmatian Pelican

The largest species of pelican, with shaggy, silvery-white plumage and a bright orange pouch. It is a powerful flier and a social bird, fishing cooperatively in groups.

White-bellied Sea Eagle

White-bellied Sea Eagle

A large bird of prey with a white head, belly, and tail, and contrasting dark gray wings. It is a skilled hunter, snatching fish from the water’s surface in a dramatic fashion.

Yellow-throated Marten

Yellow-throated Marten

A large, colorful marten with a bright yellow throat and chest. It is a bold and powerful predator that hunts both on the ground and in trees, preying on a wide variety of animals.

Rock Agama

Rock Agama

A large, robust lizard where males display vibrant blue and orange coloration during the breeding season. They are often seen basking on rocks in hot, dry regions.

Honey Badger

Honey Badger

Renowned for its fearlessness and ferocity, this powerful carnivore has a thick, loose skin that protects it from stings and bites. It has a broad diet, including honey, rodents, and snakes.