Indian State Animals: Complete State-Wise List of 28 States and 8 Union Territories

The state animals of India have been chosen to highlight the wildlife diversity in India, from the Asiatic lion of Gujarat, the one-horned rhinoceros of Assam, the Sangai deer of Manipur to the snow leopard of Ladakh.

There are 28 states and 8 Union Territories in India. This article presents the list of state animals for all the states and Union Territories of India along with their scientific names, notable wildlife facts, and conservation importance. This information needs to be used with caution, as it may vary at times.

What Is a State Animal?

A state animal is one that is declared by the government of the state as a symbol of that particular region. It may represent the biodiversity of that region, cultural heritage or a priority for conservation.

State animals differ from the national animal of India, which is the tiger (Panthera tigris). While declaring a state animal is a matter of regional symbolism, it does not necessarily make any particular provision for its protection as wildlife under law, such as the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.

Complete List of State Animals of India’s 28 States

The table provides the details about the recognized state animals and their scientific names.

Note Regarding Rajasthan: The chinkara is the state animal in the category of wildlife of Rajasthan, while the camel is the state animal in the category of livestock of Rajasthan.

Note Regarding Bihar: The gaur is often cited as the state animal of Bihar. The Gangetic dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India, which is also the state aquatic animal of Bihar.

Complete List of Union Territory Animals

India has eight Union Territories. The following table presents the commonly published designations, with a qualification for the Union Territory for which a designated animal is not listed in the cited reference lists.