Myotis formosus (Hodgson, 1835)

Accepted

Korean Orange-whiskered Bat

This checklist contains 434 mammalian species found in India. This checklist is based on Wilson and Reeder (1993)taxonomic order and is largely based on Nameer (2000). The mammals of India ranges in size from the Eurasian pygmy shrew (Sorex minutus) to the Asian Elephant (Elephas maximus). Many of the carnivores and larger mammals are restricted in their distribution to forests in protected areas, while others live within the cities in the close proximity of humans. Some species are common to the point of being considered vermin while others are exceedingly rare. Many species are known from just a few specimens in museums collected in the 19th and 20th centuries. These enigmatic species include nocturnal small mammals such as the Malabar Civet (Viverra megaspila). While the status of many of these species is unknown, some are definitely extinct. Populations of many carnivores are threatened. The tiger (Panthera tigris), dhole (Cuon alpinus), Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus), Malabar Large-spotted Civet (Viverra civettina) and Himalayan Wolf (Canis himalayensis) are some of the most endangered species of carnivore. Two species of Rhinoceros are extinct within the Indian region but the remaining species has its last stronghold within India. The Asiatic Cheetah is believed to have gone extinct.