South Asian wildlife

[[file:Orangutan Bukit Lawang Sumatra banner.jpg|1280px|Sumatran orangutan}} The Indomalayan Biogeographic Region consists of South Asia, Southeast Asia, Taiwan and southern China. The Hindu Kush and the Himalayas, and the Patkai range form the border to the Eurasian wildlife|Palearctic region. In Indonesia, it borders Australasian wildlife|the Australasian region. The Indomalayan region is tropical, with exception of highlands, where climate is colder.

Mammals

Ecozone_Indomalaya.svg|The Indomalayan Region.

“ The tiger's roar filled the cave with thunder. Mother Wolf shook herself clear of the cubs and sprang forward, her eyes, like two green moons in the darkness, facing the blazing eyes of Shere Khan. ”

—Rudyard Kipling, The Jungle Book

The Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is the only elephant species which is regularly tamed.

The Asiatic lion (Panthera leo leo) is an endangered population of lion found mainly in the Gir Forest National Park in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

The Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the world's most numerous tiger species, and the national animal of India and Bangladesh.

The leopard (Panthera pardus) was prevalent across the region, but is today endangered.

The orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus, Pongo abelii and Pongo tapanuliensis) is endemic to Indonesia.

The proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is a large monkey named for its exceptionally long nose. It lives only on the island of Borneo, and can be seen in all three countries (Malaysia, Indonesia, and Brunei) that divide the island. It generally lives in trees near water and is able to swim. They can be spotted easily from the rivers near Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei and Bako National Park in Malaysia.

Macaques (Macaca) can be found in this region. They like to spend their time on the ground rather than in trees, though they may climb up a tree if you scare them. In areas with humans, you might see them trying to steal people's food.

Birds

Pheasants (Phasianinae) are characteristic of south Asia.

The peafowl or peacock has two species in South Asia; the Indian Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) and the Green Peafowl (Pavo muticus).

Reptiles

Monitor lizards (Varanus) can be found in Indonesia and Malaysia. They are generally very big lizards, growing up to two meters or even more. Most live on land, but some can swim or climb trees. Though their size may be scary and they generally don't attack humans unless threatened and will probably waddle away (at a surprising speed!) when they hear you coming. The largest that still exist are Komodo dragons, which can grow up to three meters and can be seen in Komodo National Park in Indonesia.

Destinations

• Botanical tourism in Singapore
• Indian National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries
• Indian Zoos and Botanical Gardens