Fauna & Flora

The Andaman & Nicobar Islands conjure up images of primeval rainforest teeming with rare fauna & flora, deserted beaches and coral reefs, mangrove creeks, and limestone caves. Virtually unexplored and unknown to the outside world, you can be among the first and privileged few to experience these 'Invisible Islands', so succinctly named by Jacques Cousteau in his 1990 film on the Andamans.

  • Forest Coverage

    The Andaman Islands are blessed with a unique tropical rainforest canopy, made of a mixed flora with elements from Indian, Myanmarese, Malaysian and endemic floral strains. So far, about 2,200 varieties of plants have been recorded, out of which 200 are endemic and 1,300 do not occur in mainland India.

    The South Andaman forests have a profuse growth of epiphytic vegetation, mostly ferns and orchids. The Middle Andamans harbours mostly moist deciduous forests. North Andamans is characterised by the wet evergreen type, with plenty of woody climbers. The present forest coverage is claimed to be 86.2% of the total land area.

    This atypical forest coverage is made-up of twelve types namely:

    1. Giant evergreen forest
    2. Andamans tropical evergreen forest
    3. Southern hilltop tropical evergreen forest
    4. Cane brakes
    5. Wet bamboo brakes
    6. Andamans semi-evergreen forest
    7. Andamans moist deciduous forest
    8. Andamans secondary moist deciduous forest
    9. Littoral forest
    10. Mangrove forest
    11. Brackish water mixed forest
    12. Submontane hill valley swamp forest
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  • Timber

    Andaman Forests abound in a plethora of timber species numbering 200 or more, out of which about 30 varieties are considered to be commercial. Major commercial timber species are Gurjan (Dipterocarpus spp.) and Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides). The following ornamental woods are noted for their pronounced grain formation:

    1. Marble Wood (Diospyros marmorata)
    2. Padauk (Pterocarpus dalbergioides)
    3. Silver Grey (a special formation of wood in white chuglam)
    4. Chooi (Sageraea elliptical)
    5. Kokko (Albizzia lebbeck)

    Padauk being sturdier than teak is widely used for furniture making.

    Burr and the Buttress formation in Andaman Padauk are world famous for their exceptionally unique charm and figuring. The largest piece of Buttress known from Andaman was a dining table of 13' x 7'. The largest piece of Burr was again a dining table to seat eight persons at a time.

    The holy Rudraksha (Elaeocarps sphaericus) and aromatic Dhoop/Resin trees also occur here.

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  • Mammals

    About 50 varieties of forest mammals are found to occur in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Some are endemic, including the Andaman Wild Boar. Rodents are the largest group with 26 species, followed by 14 species of bat. Among the larger mammals there are two endemic varieties of wild boar, Sus scrofa andamanensis from Andaman and S. s. nicobaricus from Nicobar, which are protected by the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 (Sch I). The Spotted Deer Axis axis, Barking Deer and Sambar were all introduced to the Andaman District during the British Raj, though the Sambar did not survive. Around 1962 there was an attempt to introduce the Leopard in order to control the population of Spotted Deer, which was unsuccessful because of unsuitable habitat. These were ill-considered moves as exotic introductions can cause havoc to island flora and fauna. Interview Island (the largest wildlife sanctuary in the Andaman Islands) in Middle Andaman holds a population of feral elephants. These elephants were brought in for forest work by a timber company, which subsequently released them when it went bankrupt. This population has been subject to research studies.

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  • Butterflies and months

    With about 225 species, the A&N Islands house some of the larger and most spectacular butterflies of the world. Ten species are endemic to these Islands. Mount Harriet National Park is one of the richest areas of butterfly and moth diversity on these Islands.

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  • Marine Life

    The biological importance of the islands is still being researched. Recent surveys have identified 219 coral species, 120 species of algae, 70 species of sponges, 571 species of reef fish, and 8 species of shark. The islands also contain dugong, dolphin, and turtle habitats. The Nicobars contain some of the best nesting sites for leatherback turtles in the Indian Ocean. Zoologists estimate that the coral species in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago are comparable in richness and biodiversity to the coral triangle between the Philippines, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea

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  • Shells

    Shells are perhaps the most colourful and fascinating objects known to man other than gems since time immemorial. They served as money, ornaments, musical instruments, drinking cups, in magic and in the making of fine porcelains. They were also the symbols in rituals and religious observances, and the returning pilgrims wore them as a token of divine pardon.

    These islands are traditionally known for their shell wealth, especially in the genera Turbo, Trochus, Murex and Nautilus. Earliest recorded commercial exploitation began during 1929. Shells are important to these islands because some like turbo, trochus & nautilus etc. are used as novelties supporting many cottage industries producing a wide range of decorative items & ornaments. Shells such as giant clam, green mussel and oyster support edible shellfishery, a few like scallop, clam, and cockle are burnt in kilns to produce edible lime.

    Strangely though, you’ll find very few shells while beachcombing – it’s all out there where it should be – in the sea and by the reefs.

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  • Birds

    Birding Andamans

    • Bird Life in the Andaman Islands

      The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are home to over 240 species of birds, of which 18 are endemic. All the endemic birds are forest-dwelling species; some appear quite common in disturbed forest and have been recorded near the capital, Port Blair, in South Andaman. Access to some of the islands is extremely limited - most records and collections are from Middle and South Andaman - and many species have thus appeared to be restricted to these two islands. A recent survey has shown, however, that they occur more widely. One species with an extraordinarily small range is the Narcondam Hornbill, Aceros narcondami, being confined to the small, isolated island of Narcondam (6.82 km2). Reports from the early twentieth century mention that the Nicobar Megapode, Megapodius nicobariensis occurred on Little Andaman and the Coco Islands, but the species is presumed extinct there now.

      Much more research needs to be conducted on bird species in the Andaman Islands. Many of them which are variants to those found on mainland India or South East Asia could be redefined as distinct species. More birdwatching enthusiasts are encouraged to visit and publish trip reports.

    • Endemic Bird Species

      Species endemic to the Andaman islands

      • Andaman Serpent-eagle, Spilornis elgini
      • Andaman Crake, Rallina canningi
      • Brown Coucal, Centropus andamanensis
      • Andaman Scops-owl, Otus balli
      • Narcondam Hornbill, Aceros narcondami
      • Andaman Woodpecker, Dryocopus hodgei
      • Andaman Drongo, Dicrurus andamanensis
      • Andaman Treepie, Dendrocitta bayleyi

      Species endemic to both Andaman and Nicobar Islands

      • Nicobar Scrubfowl, Megapodius nicobariensis
      • Andaman Woodpigeon, Columba palumboides
      • Andaman Cuckoo-dove, Macropygia rufipennis
      • Andaman Hawk-owl, Ninox affinis
      • White-headed Starling, Sturnia erythropygia

      Additional Endemic species

      If the taxonomic recommendations in Birds of South Asia. The Ripley Guide, are accepted, the following additional species are also endemic to the Andaman Islands:

      • Green Imperial-pigeon
      • Andaman Barn-owl
      • Hume's Hawk-owl
      • Andaman Cuckooshrike
      • Andaman Bulbul
      • Andaman Shama
      • Andaman Flowerpecker

    • Distribution of Birds (Endemic & Non-Endemic)

      Havelock Island
      • Sunda Teal • Andaman Woodpecker • Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker • Mangrove Whistler • Besra • Changeable Hawk Eagle • Andaman Serpent Eagle • Japanese Sparrowhawk • Sanderling • Black-naped Tern • Watercock • Common or Swinhoe’s Snipe • Brown Hawk Owl • Andaman Hawk Owl • Andaman Scops Owl • Oriental Scops Owl • Edible Nest Swiftlet • Brown-backed Needletail • Red-breasted Parakeet • Long-tailed Parakeet • Vernal Hanging Parrot • Alexandrine Parakeet • Chestnut-headed Bee-eater • Brown Coucal • Stork-billed Kingfisher • Blue-eared Kingfisher • Dollarbird • Collared Kingfisher • White-headed Starling • Common Hill Myna • Pacific Swallow • Red-rumped Swallow • Dusky Warbler • Olive-backed Sunbird • Yellow Wagtail • White-rumped Munia • White-rumped Shama • Asian Brown Flycatcher • Orange-headed Thrush • Black-naped Monarch • Andaman Drongo • Large Cuckoo shrike • Andaman Treepie • White-breasted Woodswallow • Black-naped Oriole

      The Wandoor and Jolly Buoy Islands, South Andaman
      • Andaman Woodpecker • Stork-billed Kingfisher • Collared Kingfisher • Chestnut-headed Bee-eater • Brown Coucal • Vernal Hanging Parrot • Alexandrine Parakeet • Red-breasted Parakeet • Long-tailed Parakeet • Brown-backed Needletail • Watercock • Beach Thick-knee • Black-naped Tern • Crested Serpent Eagle • Besra • Mangrove Whistler • White-breasted Woodswallow • Large Cuckoo shrike

      Mt Harriet National Park, South Andaman Island
      • Andaman Crake • Andaman Woodpecker • Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker • Dollarbird • Brown Coucal • Vernal Hanging Parrot • Alexandrine Parakeet • Red-breasted Parakeet • Long-tailed Parakeet • Brown-backed Needletail • Andaman Wood Pigeon • Andaman Cuckoo Dove • Andaman Crake • Japanese Sparrowhawk • Andaman Treepie • Black-naped Oriole • Large Cuckoo shrike • Bar-bellied Cuckoo shrike • Andaman Drongo • Black-naped Monarch • Orange-headed Thrush • Asian Brown Flycatcher • White-headed Starling • Black-headed Bulbul • Dusky Warbler • Olive-backed Sunbird • Forest Wagtail

      Chiriya Tapu, South Andaman Island
      • Andaman Crake • Andaman Woodpecker • Fulvous-breasted Woodpecker • Collared Kingfisher • Stork-billed Kingfisher • Chestnut-headed Bee-eater • Brown Coucal • Vernal Hanging Parrot • Alexandrine Parakeet • Red-breasted Parakeet • Long-tailed Parakeet • Brown-backed Needletail • Mangrove Whistler • Black-naped Oriole • Large Cuckoo shrike • Bar-bellied Cuckoo shrike • Andaman Drongo • Andaman Treepie • Asian Brown Flycatcher • White-rumped Shama • White-headed Starling • Common Hill Myna • Pacific Swallow • Black-headed Bulbul • Oriental White-eye • Pale-footed Warbler • Dusky Warbler • Olive-backed Sunbird

      Port Blair, South Andaman Island
      At Chatham: • Collared Kingfisher • Pacific Reef Egret • Greater Sand Plover • White-bellied Sea Eagle • Terek Sandpiper • Little Tern • Great Knot At Corbyn’s Cove • Mangrove Whistler • Stork-billed Kingfisher • Collared Kingfisher • Watercock • Wood Sandpiper • Pond Heron • Yellow Bittern • Cinnamon Bittern • Pacific Swallow • Rusty-rumped Warbler • Dusky Warbler • Blyth’s Reed Warbler • Clamorous Reed Warbler

    • Web Articles on Birdwatching in the Andaman Islands

      • South Andaman Trip Report, February - March 2002 by Anand Prasad
        Published on www.kolkatabirds.com
        "The islands make an ideal birding holiday. In two weeks you have plenty of time to see the birds and to relax with some snorkelling and swimming in a very beautiful, quiet environment..."
        Read full article

      • Island Birds – Theodore Bhaskaran
        Published by The Hindu, October 2nd, 2005
        "The Andaman and Nicobar islands are the proverbial paradise for birdwatchers..."
        Read full article

      • Trip Report: Andaman Islands 12th - 15th November 2004 – Tim Woodward
        Published by Surfbirds Admin (surfbirds AT surfbirds.com)
        "The Brown Coucal was one of the easiest endemics to locate as it was so widespread..."
        Read full article

      • Trip Report: Andaman Islands: March 22-25, 2004, (direct from Bangkok), Gary and Marlene Babic
        Published by www.birdtours.co.uk
        "In addition, the local Oriental Scops-owl has a call unlike any other Oriental Scops-owl and may be a new species, and the local White-rumped Shama is also quite distinctive with a white breast..."
        Read full article

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