Periyar National Park

🇮🇳 India

🐘 Elephants at the Periyar Lakeshore
🌍 #77 Global · 4.3 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ #12 in Asia #30 in Tropical Forest
Indian Subcontinent, India 829 spp. recorded

Periyar National Park is a tropical rainforest in the Western Ghats of Kerala, India, cradling rolling hills, evergreen canopy, and the Periyar River. Its mist‑clad valleys and teak‑lined slopes set it apart from neighboring dry‑deciduous reserves.

9.517° N   77.158° E

Wildlife

SIGHTING PROBABILITY Share of citizen-science records from the park that report this species
<5%
Rare5–20%
With luck20–40%
Possible40–70%
Likely>70%
Very likely
ACTIVITY PATTERN
☀️ Diurnal 🌙 Nocturnal 🌅 Crepuscular ☀️🌙 Day & Night

⭐ Iconic Species

Asian Elephant ★
EN Endemic

Asian Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Elephas maximus

60–70% · Likely
Tiger ★
EN Endemic

Tiger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Panthera tigris

Insufficient data
Lion-tailed Macaque ★
EN Endemic

Lion-tailed Macaque

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macaca silenus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

White-cheeked Barbet
LC Endemic

White-cheeked Barbet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psilopogon viridis

70–80% · Very likely
Southern Hill Myna
LC

Southern Hill Myna

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Gracula indica

70–80% · Very likely
Malabar Parakeet
Endemic

Malabar Parakeet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psittacula columboides

70–80% · Very likely
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
LC

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dicrurus paradiseus

70–80% · Very likely
Black Leaf Monkey
VU Endemic

Black Leaf Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Semnopithecus johnii

70–80% · Very likely
White-bellied Treepie
LC Endemic

White-bellied Treepie

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dendrocitta leucogastra

60–70% · Likely
Grey Junglefowl
LC Endemic

Grey Junglefowl

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Gallus sonneratii

60–70% · Likely
Indian Giant Squirrel
LC Endemic

Indian Giant Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Ratufa indica

60–70% · Likely
Gaur

Gaur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bos frontalis

60–70% · Likely
Malabar Whistling-Thrush
LC Endemic

Malabar Whistling-Thrush

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Myophonus horsfieldii

60–70% · Likely
Malabar Grey Hornbill
VU Endemic

Malabar Grey Hornbill

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ocyceros griseus

60–70% · Likely
Red-whiskered Bulbul
LC

Red-whiskered Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus jocosus

60–70% · Likely

⭐ Iconic Species

Asian Elephant ★
EN Endemic

Asian Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Elephas maximus

60–70% · Likely
Tiger ★
EN Endemic

Tiger

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Panthera tigris

Insufficient data
Lion-tailed Macaque ★
EN Endemic

Lion-tailed Macaque

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macaca silenus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Black Leaf Monkey
VU Endemic

Black Leaf Monkey

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Semnopithecus johnii

70–80% · Very likely
Indian Giant Squirrel
LC Endemic

Indian Giant Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Ratufa indica

60–70% · Likely
Gaur

Gaur

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Bos frontalis

60–70% · Likely
Sambar
VU Endemic

Sambar

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Rusa unicolor

60–70% · Likely
Bonnet Macaque
VU Endemic

Bonnet Macaque

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macaca radiata

50–60% · Likely
Wild Boar
LC Endemic

Wild Boar

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sus scrofa

40–50% · Likely
Indian Crested Porcupine
LC

Indian Crested Porcupine

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Hystrix indica

40–50% · Likely
Stripe-necked Mongoose

Stripe-necked Mongoose

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Herpestes vitticollis

Insufficient data
Jungle Palm Squirrel
LC Endemic

Jungle Palm Squirrel

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Funambulus tristriatus

Insufficient data
Indian Chevrotain
LC

Indian Chevrotain

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Moschiola indica

Insufficient data
Indian Muntjac
LC

Indian Muntjac

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Muntiacus muntjak

Insufficient data
Dhole
EN

Dhole

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Cuon alpinus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

White-cheeked Barbet
LC Endemic

White-cheeked Barbet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psilopogon viridis

70–80% · Very likely
Southern Hill Myna
LC

Southern Hill Myna

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Gracula indica

70–80% · Very likely
Malabar Parakeet
Endemic

Malabar Parakeet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psittacula columboides

70–80% · Very likely
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
LC

Greater Racket-tailed Drongo

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dicrurus paradiseus

70–80% · Very likely
White-bellied Treepie
LC Endemic

White-bellied Treepie

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Dendrocitta leucogastra

60–70% · Likely
Grey Junglefowl
LC Endemic

Grey Junglefowl

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Gallus sonneratii

60–70% · Likely
Malabar Whistling-Thrush
LC Endemic

Malabar Whistling-Thrush

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Myophonus horsfieldii

60–70% · Likely
Malabar Grey Hornbill
VU Endemic

Malabar Grey Hornbill

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Ocyceros griseus

60–70% · Likely
Red-whiskered Bulbul
LC

Red-whiskered Bulbul

☀️ Diurnal Bird

Pycnonotus jocosus

60–70% · Likely
White-throated Kingfisher
LC

White-throated Kingfisher

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Halcyon smyrnensis

60–70% · Likely
Orange Minivet
LC

Orange Minivet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Pericrocotus flammeus

60–70% · Likely
Malabar Barbet
LC Endemic

Malabar Barbet

🌅 Crepuscular Bird

Psilopogon malabaricus

50–60% · Likely

📊 Most Spotted

Bengal Monitor
NT

Bengal Monitor

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Varanus bengalensis

40–50% · Likely
Large Scaled Forest Lizard
LC

Large Scaled Forest Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Calotes grandisquamis

30–40% · Possible
Keeled Indian Mabuya
LC

Keeled Indian Mabuya

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Eutropis carinata

30–40% · Possible
Anamala Pit Viper

Anamala Pit Viper

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Craspedocephalus anamallensis

30–40% · Possible
Wall's Vine Snake
Endemic

Wall's Vine Snake

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ahaetulla isabellina

Insufficient data
Mutilating Gecko
LC

Mutilating Gecko

🌙 Nocturnal Reptile

Gehyra mutilata

Insufficient data
Western Ghats Flying Lizard
LC

Western Ghats Flying Lizard

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Draco dussumieri

Insufficient data
Indian Black Turtle
LC

Indian Black Turtle

🌅 Crepuscular Reptile

Melanochelys trijuga

10–20% · With luck
Common Green Forest Lizard
LC

Common Green Forest Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Calotes calotes

Insufficient data
Oriental Garden Lizard
LC

Oriental Garden Lizard

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Calotes versicolor

Insufficient data
Dhaman
LC

Dhaman

☀️ Diurnal Reptile

Ptyas mucosa

Insufficient data
Common House Gecko
LC Endemic

Common House Gecko

☀️🌙 Day & Night Reptile

Hemidactylus frenatus

Insufficient data

📊 Most Spotted

Kerala Warty Frog
VU Endemic

Kerala Warty Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Minervarya keralensis

40–50% · Likely
Bicolored Frog
LC Endemic

Bicolored Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Clinotarsus curtipes

30–40% · Possible
Keira's shrub frog
VU

Keira's shrub frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Raorchestes keirasabinae

20–30% · Possible
Ponmudi Bush Frog

Ponmudi Bush Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Raorchestes ponmudi

Insufficient data
Variable Bush Frog
LC

Variable Bush Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Raorchestes akroparallagi

Insufficient data
Waynad bush frog
LC Endemic

Waynad bush frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Pseudophilautus wynaadensis

Insufficient data
Beautiful Dancing Frog
EN

Beautiful Dancing Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Micrixalus adonis

Insufficient data
Castle Rock night frog
NT

Castle Rock night frog

Amphibian

Nyctibatrachus petraeus

Insufficient data
Common Indian Toad
LC

Common Indian Toad

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Duttaphrynus melanostictus

Insufficient data
Malabar Tree Toad
LC Endemic

Malabar Tree Toad

Amphibian

Pedostibes tuberculosus

Insufficient data
Jerdon's Narrow-mouthed Frog
NT Endemic

Jerdon's Narrow-mouthed Frog

🌅 Crepuscular Amphibian

Uperodon montanus

Insufficient data
Charpa Tree Frog

Charpa Tree Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Polypedates occidentalis

Insufficient data

Animal Events

🦌

Boat Safari & Elephant Gatherings

JanFebAprDec

Elephants congregate along Periyar Lake shores to drink, bathe, and socialize, offering unparalleled viewing during boat safaris.

Asian Elephant
EN Endemic

Asian Elephant

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Elephas maximus

60–70% · Likely
🦌

Lion-tailed Macaque Troop Foraging

JanAprNovDec

Troops of Lion-tailed Macaques descend to lower canopy layers to feed on figs and other fruits, making them more visible to observers in the forest understory.

Lion-tailed Macaque
EN Endemic

Lion-tailed Macaque

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Macaca silenus

Insufficient data
🐸

Monsoon Mating Chorus

MayJunJulAug

Amphibians like the Bicolored Frog and Kerala Warty Frog gather in temporary rainwater pools to breed, creating a deafening nocturnal chorus.

Kerala Warty Frog
VU Endemic

Kerala Warty Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Minervarya keralensis

40–50% · Likely
Bicolored Frog
LC Endemic

Bicolored Frog

☀️ Diurnal Amphibian

Clinotarsus curtipes

30–40% · Possible

Sighting Calendar

Chance of spotting each species, month by month

Months
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Species Total
70–80
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
Asian Elephant
70–80
70–80
30–40
70–80
50–60
30–40
30–40
40–50
70–80
40–50
20–30
60–70
Tiger
40–50
10–20
<5
<5
20–30
20–30
<5
5–10
<5
<5
20–30
20–30
Lion-tailed Macaque
40–50
<5
<5
30–40
5–10
<5
5–10
5–10
5–10
30–40
20–30
20–30
White-cheeked Barbet
80–90
90–100
70–80
70–80
80–90
80–90
50–60
60–70
70–80
50–60
70–80
50–60
Southern Hill Myna
80–90
80–90
80–90
60–70
80–90
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
50–60
Malabar Parakeet
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
80–90
80–90
80–90
70–80
80–90
50–60
70–80
50–60
Greater Racket-tailed Drongo
70–80
80–90
60–70
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
60–70
70–80
70–80
80–90
60–70
Black Leaf Monkey
80–90
70–80
60–70
60–70
70–80
40–50
50–60
50–60
50–60
70–80
50–60
70–80
White-bellied Treepie
80–90
70–80
50–60
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
Grey Junglefowl
70–80
80–90
40–50
50–60
70–80
50–60
60–70
50–60
60–70
60–70
40–50
50–60
Indian Giant Squirrel
80–90
40–50
70–80
50–60
60–70
40–50
50–60
50–60
70–80
60–70
60–70
50–60
Gaur
70–80
60–70
50–60
70–80
60–70
40–50
50–60
70–80
40–50
20–30
50–60
70–80
Malabar Whistling-Thrush
70–80
60–70
40–50
40–50
70–80
70–80
70–80
70–80
60–70
70–80
60–70
30–40
Malabar Grey Hornbill
70–80
70–80
30–40
60–70
70–80
70–80
50–60
70–80
70–80
40–50
50–60
40–50
Red-whiskered Bulbul
70–80
60–70
50–60
60–70
50–60
50–60
50–60
50–60
60–70
60–70
50–60
30–40
Animal Events
🦌 Boat Safari & Elephant Gatherings
🐸 Monsoon Mating Chorus
🦌 Lion-tailed Macaque Troop Foraging

Sighting Zones

Warm areas are where all species together are recorded most, so they track where people go as much as where animals are. For one species, see the map on its own page.

0.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★ Excellent
🐘 Elephants at the Periyar Lakeshore

Where Wildlife Score

How good is this park for seeing wildlife?
🦜

Biodiversity

Good

How rich is the wildlife?

4.3 Global avg
4.0 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
Species by taxon
🦅 Birds
508
🐒 Mammals
116
🦎 Reptiles
148
🐸 Amphibians
57
829 Total Species
850 Global average across 296 parks
72 Threatened 4 Endemic
🔭

Sighting

Excellent

How likely to see animals?

3.6 Global avg
4.5 ★★★★★ ★★★★★
🎯
Top-12 Avg Probability
62% Global avg
70%
📊
Coverage (196 species at ≥5% of 829 in the inventory)
24% Global avg
24%
🔀
Taxon variety in top 12 (9 bird, 3 mammal)
46% Global avg
50%
🔭
Species per 10 outings (distinct species a visitor would meet over 10 outings — effort held equal across parks)
134 Global avg
137
🌟
Iconic-group species (≥15%) (every species from the 19 iconic groups — monkeys, cats, toucans, macaws, sloths, crocodilians… — not just the 4 highlighted above)
15 Global avg
20
⭐
High-prob species (>40%)
27 Global avg
34

Quick answers

What animals can you see in Periyar National Park?

The most likely sightings are White-cheeked Barbet (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Southern Hill Myna (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Malabar Parakeet (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Greater Racket-tailed Drongo (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers), Black Leaf Monkey (seen by 70–80% of wildlife watchers) — among 829 recorded vertebrate species, based on citizen-science data from GBIF.

When is the best time to visit Periyar National Park for wildlife?

January has the highest combined sighting rate for the park's top species in our month-by-month GBIF data. The full sighting calendar on this page shows each species' best months.

Can you see Asian Elephant in Periyar National Park?

Yes — about 62% of wildlife watchers report a Asian Elephant sighting in Periyar National Park, based on 22 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Tiger in Periyar National Park?

Yes — about 20% of wildlife watchers report a Tiger sighting in Periyar National Park, based on 3 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

Can you see Lion-tailed Macaque in Periyar National Park?

Yes — about 22% of wildlife watchers report a Lion-tailed Macaque sighting in Periyar National Park, based on 4 days of visitor records from GBIF citizen-science data.

⚖️

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