Polymathesaurus

Have you ever had a pet cuter than anything else in the galaxy? Tough luck cos whatever it is you think is cute, is not! Mooncake is cute. Cuter than anything in the galaxy, hence the name (not that most of you will get it anyway) Mooncake is an Indian Chameleon (Chameleo zeylanicus), infact the only chameleon on Indian Subcontinent!!!!! Some pointers on why Mooncake is better than any other pet ever- 1. Mooncake eats without much bickering unlike your pet. 2. No hair everywhere!!!!!!! (Seriously right?!) 3. No smells, none whatsoever. 4. No need to clean every hour or so! 5. Next to zero expenditure on food! Roaches, crickets, grasshoppers, moths. You name it, he’ll eat it. What Whattt!!!! 6. Does robotics better than Robert Muraine himself so yeah beat that. Anyways, hear is Mooncake munching on a fresh dragonfly. #mypetisbetterthanyours #reptilesofinstagram #chameleon https://www.instagram.com/p/B4h8t-iF5_C/?igshid=v3q29s85di4v

Bonelli’s Eagle (Aquila fasciata) Large billed Crows (Corvus macrorhynchos) Both of these birds are commonly found in dense forests of Indian Subcontinent. In this particularly interesting scenario, we witnessed how a couple of Crows bullied a Bonelli’s Eagle out of there probable nesting area. From what we observed it seemed like the Raptor was there to quench its thirst but the Corvus couple wasn’t too keen on having a predator in their yard. Possibly because of their young ones being there so they did what any good parent would do? Stop the predator from drinking and run him off. Funniest part that happened was the crows themselves became thirsty after repeatedly attacking the lone Bird of Prey and drank water right in front of the Eagle but didn’t actually let him have a proper drink. Finally the Eagle took off, and contrary to the narrative Siddharth presented in the stories, it was the Crows who ran him off from the water hole. #wildlifeofindia #birdsofprey #birdsofinstagram #birdsofindia #indianwildlife #indianbirds #avifauna (at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwzhFR0lHI7/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=u5dt8mg30u9l

Spectacled Cobra (Naja naja) Photographed by : Vivek Sharma Death has many faces, but very few match the beauty of a पद्म नाग. #snakesofindia #cobra #elapid #bigfour #indianwildlife #wildlifeofindia #reptilesofindia #indianreptiles #snakes (at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwm_EdYluOT/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=7ke2nfrwvcee

Black hooded Oriole (Orioles xanthornus) is a resident passerine bird of tropical forests of Indian Subcontinent. A folk tale goes in Bengal that An unfortunate girl of a merchant family was tortured by her mother-in-law. Troubled by her, she smeared herself with turmeric and covered herself with a sooty earthen pot and killed herself. A goddess resurrected her as A Black hooded Oriole. Hence giving the bird its name, “haldi Pakhi” in Bengali. Alluring. #blackhoodedoriole #wildlifeofindia #indianwildlife #indianbirds #indianfauna #birdsofindia https://www.instagram.com/p/BwaJPc5FQZu/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1wb79tbw79ghl

Woolly-necked Stork (Ciconia episcopus) is one of the larger birds found in our country. The striking features include a crimson red iris and dark Red bills. It has broad wings and the shadow it casts when it soars over your head will make you feel like a teeny tiny thing. A solitary bird, it is rarely seen in flocks but maybe seen in small nuclear families sometimes. Astonishing. #birdsofindia #wildlifeofindia #indianwildlife #indianbirds #avifauna #woollyneckedstork (at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwaIBiXFX9k/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l8zp3fgrmybv

1st pic: Stork-billed Kingfisher ( Pelargopsis capensis) is a tree Kingfisher is a sparsely distributed bird in the Indian Subcontinent. A very large kingfisher, it is an avid hunter and very territorial, often caught brawling with larger predators like Eagles! 2nd pic: White-throated Kingfisher ( Halcyon smyrnensis) is a Tree Kingfisher commonly found in the Indian Subcontinent. This is the one you usually see around your homes or roads. Pic 3: Common Kingfisher ( Alcedo atthis) is a small Kingfisher found in much of Eurasia. Despite named “common” it is comparatively less seen than the white throated Kingfisher. True to its name, it mainly feeds on Fishes unlike the fore mentioned Kings who feed on a variety of preys. All three of them are magnificent enough to deserve a separate post of their own but for the viewer’s ease in seeing their differences, Siddharth put them together in one post. #avifauna #wildlifeofindia #indianwildlife #indianbirds #birdsofindia (at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwXxbDrlnwe/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bymu4b6et6fy

Indian Paradise Flycatcher ( Terpsiphone paradisi) is a native bird of Indian Subcontinent. दूधराज, as it is known in Hindi, is the state bird of Madhya Pradesh. Males have elongated tails with a black head and white body or rufous body in some morphs. Females are short tailed with rufous wings and a black head. This one here is a female of course. Very shy and conservative so to speak. Didn’t come out for 1 single decent pic but since it was a lifer, Siddharth took whatever he could and obviously posted too to brag about having seen it. #indianwildlife #indianbirds #wildlifeofindia #indianwildlife #avifauna (at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwXv32AFWBi/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=hs7w413bs8ub

spotted dove (Spilopelia chinensis) is another pigeon species found in the Indian Subcontinent. Also known as the pearl-necked Dove, it is a relative of the much more common laughing dove seen even inside the city. This one, although, is still mainly found in open forests. #avifauna #indianbirds #indianwildlife #wildlifeofindia #birdsofindia (at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwXuStlg6kK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=qz4in9rx7gwp

yellow-footed green pigeon (Treron phoenicoptera) is a species of Green Pigeon found in the Indian Subcontinent. Known as हरियल, it is the state bird of Maharashtra. Found in dense forests, it is an absolute pleasure looking at their flocks in the evening sitting atop and singing. Quite common but rarely seen. #avifauna #birdsofindia #wildlifeofindia #indianwildlife #indianbirds (at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwXtMvaFOD9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9569qb6910vt

White eyed Buzzard ( Butastur teesa) is a bird of prey found all over the Indian Subcontinent. Despite its name, it’s not a true Buzzard but a Hawk. Amazingly Beautiful. #birdsofprey #wildlifeofindia #indianwildlife #avifauna (at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwXq-c3Fk5x/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1a0z7ka2fsrda

Buff striped Keelback Snake (Amphiesma stolatum) is a non venomous snake found in the Indian Subcontinent. Commonly known as सीता की लट्ठ, it is an amazing cute little snake which feeds mainly on frogs and snails hence is mostly found around water bodies. Although kept in the least concern category by IUCN, it is rarely seen nowadays. It’s completely harmless and You know who to call if you see one nearby. #buffstripedkeelback #snakesofindia #nonvenomous #localfauna #wildlifeofindia #indianwildlife https://www.instagram.com/p/BwPvNDWlFTD/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1p2gvqz3pafvv

Jungle Cat (Felis chaus) is a wild feline species found natively in Asia. Although not in danger according to IUCN, it is threatened by the loss of habitat. A beautiful animal with amazing camouflage, it is nearly impossible to get a glimpse of in broad daylight so it suffices to say that Siddharth is amazingly lucky to have seen this individual in the crisp darkness. It was truly a sight to behold when The Cat walked and prowled and curled and stood on the reed covered ground mere metres away from 2 wildlife fanatics. Picture Courtesy: Mr. Vivek Sharma. #junglecat #felis #chaus #wildlifeofindia #indianwildlife (at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BwFthcqlSuK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1gsdcytqitg13

Spotted Owlet (Athene brama) is one of the smallest species of the Owl family. It is a widespread species in the Indian Subcontinent and is quite common around human settlements, farmlands, etc. albeit pretty hard to spot. They are capable predators and often live in a small group called Parliament. Yes a Parliament. Go figure. Siddharth almost went passed them but thankfully a second look got him the reward. Fun fact- when disturbed, they start staring hard at intruders until the intruder leaves! #spottedowlet #athenebrama #birdsofinstagram #birdsofprey #localfauna (at Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh) https://www.instagram.com/p/BumqVO9FFRb/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=ixwso2wt2vqc

Short toed snake Eagle (Circaetus gallicus) is a medium sized bird of prey found in the agricultural plains and open forests. It’s basically amazing. It stays more in the air than on trees! It is a resident species of Indian subcontinent. It gets its name because it mostly feeds on reptiles. Kinda contradictory for Siddharth to like it but seeing how magnificent it is, can’t not love it! #birdofprey #raptor #localfauna https://www.instagram.com/p/BuYRXDmlTHa/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=l9x8fv3jwm5d

Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) is a scavenging omnivore found throughout Asia. Pretty cool to look at and quite voracious. Also, aren’t that scared of humans. Take caution while approaching! 😅😄 #canid #scavengers #localfauna https://www.instagram.com/p/BuYPfnjlbrB/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1nynar99i0m18

Picture 1 & 2 - The Indian Vulture (Gyps indicus) is an Old World vulture native to the Indian Subcontinent. It is a Critically Endangered species as the population has severely declined. It breeds mainly on hilly crags in central and peninsular India and the fact that Siddharth got to see them from a distance as short as 50 m. is incredible. Pictures 3 & 4 - The Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus) is another old world Vulture found in the Indian Subcontinent. Probably the biggest bird you’ll ever come across (if you ever did get the chance to see it) it’s wing span is between 9-11 feet!!!!! Siddharth literally saw it from more than a couple hundred metres away sitting on top of a tree basking in the noon. Magnificent sight. #scavengers #oldworld #criticallyendangered https://www.instagram.com/p/BuYO0f7laab/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=fzkj0jegps8v

Lycodon aulicus- Common Wolf Snake. Some models are so beautiful that you can’t post about them just once. So here’s 3 more shots of our favourite, Lycan!!! Yeah that’s what Siddharth is naming this wolf snake. Lycan has been the most curious snake by far Siddharth has handled. Continuously moved, never stopped once and even gave a couple of warning shots when got interrupted too much. Otherwise totally harmless cute little fella. #wolfsnake #snakesofinstagram #discoversnakes #nonvenomous #lycodon https://www.instagram.com/p/Bs-jskwFU8E/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lxas5y9j0qh3