STUDIES ON WILDLIFE OF NARBADA VALLEY. PART IV. MAMMALS

(With 2 Plates) INTRODUCTION The mammal collection made during Narbada Survey 1962-1971 consists of 106 specimens comprising 41 taxa. Very few large mammals were collected because of non-receipt or late receipt of shooting permits, later followed by complete ban on shooting. However, practically all central Indian species of these magnificent animals were seen during the survey. Detailed ecological observations were made on twentyone species of bats around Jabalpur city, and Suncus murinus Linn, Pteropus g. giganteus Briinnich, Rhinopoma h. hardwickei Gray, Tetraceru8 quadricomis Blainville, Tatera indica Hardwick, Vandeleuria o. obracea Bennet and have been published elsewhere (Khajuria vide references). Parts I, II, III of these reports deal with General Introduction with summary of results, reptiles and birds respectively. All measurements are in m. m. and are taken after Khajuria (1971). Sincere thanks are due to Shri D. K. Harshay, Museum Assistant, Central Regional Station, Zoological Survey of India for checking the data of the present report. Also see acknowledgements in Part I.

Remarks: The flying fox on the left bank of the river started. leaving its roost at 7 A. M. and continued to about 7.45 A. M. Although they flew over the river after a hot day, it was not found to drink except one specimens which could not be identified with certainity. Two specimens were seen to pursue others for a short distance. The direction of their flight was towards the west although not exactly the same in case of all individuals. Although males (?) of the flying fox were seen pursuing females (?), no mating was observed. A female shot was heavily pregnant (foetius measured, ca 7 cm. in diameter). Khajuria (1965Khajuria ( , 1971a described in detail the habits of this bat.

Rhinopoma bardwickei hardwickei Gray
Hardwickei's Rat-tailed Bat 1831. Rhinopo'nta hardwickei Gray, Zool. Misc., p. 37 (India). Remarks: A large colony consisting of about 50 individuals occupied a temple under active worship near the Narbada river. They were not molested on religious grounds' and did not mind human presence and noise of temple bell even at a distance of Iimile. They were not found to leave the roost upto 8 P. M. It was a mating season. Mating has been described in detail by Khajuria (1973 Material: 1 ~ Narbada bridge at Manot, Mandla Dist. 12. 11. 63. Remarks: A colony occupied a long vertical crevice in the pillar of bridge fully exposed to sun. Khajuria (1975) 16.S;occipitionasal length,19.5;postmolar length,12;9 ;8 ;9 ;6 ;cranial width,10.5 ;Interorbital width,6 ;mandibular width,15. Remarks: Two colonies of this bat were observed in old building DB the bank of Narbada river at Mandla town on 22. 11. 63 from 11 a . . m. to 3 p. nl. without collection of any specimen so as not to disturb the bats. One of the colony contained only about 100 specimens and occupied a small old temple with high dome-shaped ceiling, while the other contained about 500 specimens and occupied a dilapidated doublestoreyed building, with a flat, cemented, low ceiling hardly three metres above the floor. Both stories were occupied. The first storey was very dark but the second one was well-lighted because of a large window. The first colony did not show any special feature while the specimens of the second colony in the first storey could not be observed accurately.
The second colony in the second storey were observed at a distance of Ii metres from the specimens. Although slight movements on the part of the observer caused considerable disturbance in the colony, quiet watching was allowed even from a distance of two metres.
The scene was somewhat reminiscent of the mating behaviour of the flying fox in miniature-frequent shifting of positions with short flights, 19hts with claws, chaser, attempts to lick the genital organs and shrieks fesembling Krin-Krin and Krun-Krun, sound possibly given out by females and males respectively. This commotion was not due to the presence of the observer. There was large, thick, cluster containing about a 100 specimens more or less in the centre of ceiling but a little away from the direct light from the door and the window. There was always great commotion in this cluster on account of the new individuals joining the cluster and pushing their way though it and some flying away from it and the new entrants were possibly either females which had previously been dislodged from the cluster. Quite a large number of specimens were, however, scattered around this nucleus and could be observed in detail. Most of the frequent short fights appear to be due to the fact that some individuals ali~hted almost on the 240 Records of the Zoological Survey oj 1.
other individuals which had to flyaway on account of their precarious held on the ceiling. Some individual were also seen pairing in the usual posture described above in the case of the flying fox, outside the cluster, but without any special protests from the female. Although the male has a distinct black beard it was not possible to ascertain the sex of all specimens because of darkness. The pairing formation of bats lasted only for a few moment possibly because the other pairing individuals were disturbed by non pairing bats alighting very close and sometimes even over them. Attempts to lick the vulva were J observed only in half a dozen individuals and lasted only for a moment without any serious protest from the female. It is also to be noted, that there are no spines on the tongue of this species. The central cluster disappeared a number of times due to the movements of the observer but was reformed within minutes, showing that it was one of the essential characteristics of the colony.
Testis in mature males is characterized by the black beared bulging. Thp glans through faintly papillated is devoid of any spines. This probably accounts for lack of any serious protest from the female during copulation. The vulva was open, reddish in colour and about Ij-mm, in diametre, the penis is well covered with prepuse.
Two individuals were seen reversing there upside down hanging posture for a moment during which they hung by the claws of their thumb. However, no passage of excreta was observed during this posture. When disturbed the flying individuals tried to pass as near the observer as possible urinating or passing excreta while doing so. This may be due to panic or to a deliberate effort on the part of animals to keep off the intruder. This habit has also been observed by the writers under certain conditions in other colonial species of bats, e. g., Rhinopoma hardwickei Gray, Lyroderma lyra. Scotophilu8 temminclci Horsfield and Scotophilu8 heathi, Taphozou8 melanopogon when at sexual rest was not observed to show the habit. The habit may be due to panic or it may be a deliberate effort on the part of the animals to keep off the intruder.
Two males and two females from this colony were kept in captivity for three days in a room. A mature male and female were seen to fix themselves in the usual pairing position for about 45 minutes. The female frequently tried to free itself from the hold of the male with usual shrieks but without success. The male was, however, not seen to ·have any special hold on the female except that its wings and body were in contact with those of the female. No copulating movements on the part of the male were observed, This prolonged pairing in captivity shows that in natural state the effective mating may be taking place within the cluster of the females where the disturbance from other individuals was less.
The place was again visited on 28.11.63 but the scene of 22.11.63 could not be observed; only about a dozen individuals were seen scattered here and there. There was however no reduction in number of individuals in the smaller colony in the temple. Four females from former colony were dissected but were not found to be pregnant. The vulva was more or less, closed and lacked the reddish tinge.
Two species of Rhinopoma hardwickei and Taphazou8 melanopogon were found to inhabit the caves. The same was' reminscent of the one seen in Mandla town in November in a colony of T. melanopogon in light, various sounds and condition. In all probability, it was a mating colony but since the bats have the habit of lying one alive the other in ordinary condition, mating pairs could not be identified with certainty. They urinated frequently on the intruders. Measurements: External: forearm, 68.5; Oranial: Condylobasal length, 23 ; occipitonasal length, 21.5; palatal length, 8.5; postmolar length, 15.5; mS-m s , 10; m 1 -m 1 , 7 ; c 1 -m1,6 ; c 1m s, 10.5 ; c 1ma, 13; cranial width, 13; interorbital width, 5.5 ; mandibular length, 19.
Remarks: They were found in a small cave on the bank of the Narbada river. r-rhe colony consists of about 50 individuals. They inhabited soapstone mine at Jogakhurd in small numbers in well lighted places open on many sides and were difficult to collect. Records oj tke Zoological Survey 0/ I 'fIiJ,iAJ llemarks; They occupied dilapidated house on an island in Narbada river. The specimen were quite active and were not found hibernating. The specimen were seen scattered in different room"s. 7.5 7.5-7 (7.3) m 1 -m 1 6 5.5-6.5 (6.0) c 1 -m S 6 5.5-6 (5.8) c 1 -m 1 3 3-3.5 (3.5) c 1 -m S 6 6-7 (6.3) Cranial width 8 7.5-8 (7.6) Interorbital width 5 4.5-5 (4.6) Mandibular length 9 9-9.5 (9.3) Remarks: Six specimens were purchased. They were inhabiting a wide opening in stone brick wall. All were adult, females although some are younger in age as appear from their size and tooth wear. Sexual segregation appears to have taken place. The whole of the colony has been collected.
Remarks: These specimens provisionally identified as p. c. crysotkix as the locality is intergrading zone between this and nominate race. A small colony of the bat was reported to inhabit a hole in a house. The external genitalia resemble the nominate race. Oranial: Skull inside the skin.
Remarks: Observations were made on the habits of the Iangur, around Choral village (Indore Dist.) from 1.11.69 to 7.11.69. The area .. on the right bank of the river particularly the village was frequented by a large troup including about five (1) adult males ten (1) adult females and six (1) yearlings. At least one female was heavily pregnant. Some attempts resembling mating chase by some males were also observed. Sometime the monkeys crossed the river where the water was shallow. They started feeding actively soon after sunrise, had midday rest in some shady place, and retired to trees soon after sunset. Their main food was the leaves of a tree locally known as 'Arjan' although they were occasionally seen feeding on several trees and shrubs. One day they were voraciously feeding on the bitter leaves of 'Nim' tree Aradiraeta sp. The mothers spent considerable time, on 'grooming' their yearlinge young which assumed several postures before their morthers to get better attention. These postures varied from prostrate, supine, sitting, half erect, erect and normal quadripedal. One yearling was greatly attached to its mother and continued screaming even when properly attended to. It would not leave the cfed-up' mother even after serious scolding from the latter.
The heavily pregnant female was seen on 7.11.69 to be isolated on a tree from the other troup. The overlord was also separated from others and kept a careful watch on her. Both of them shifted at night to an isola ted tree. Oranial: Skull mounted with specimen.
Remarks: This jackal is one of the commonest animals throughout the valley. Although useful as a scavenger, it is also reported to be a great pest of poultry and young of several game animals. Its meat is considered as a delicacy by some tribes. If properly managed, its fur can be a useful article of commerce. Material: 2 c , Jabalpur dist. 8. 11. 64 (mounted).

Records of the Zooiogicai Survey oj india
Remarks: This civet was very common both near human habitation and in forested areas. A number of times, it was seen crossing forest roads and once on a guava tree in fruit. It was found on a number of times in cities in fruit gardens. It appears to have special liking for guava.
Remarks: The animal is rare everywhere, possibly because of its persecution for the supposed value of its musk. Because of its scent found near holes of rats which it hunts, some of villagers think that there is a species 'musk' rat also which belief appears to be unfounded. Oranial: Skull-mounted with skins.
Remarks: This animal is common and also not shy of man. Once a pair was seen crossing the road just a few metres in front of the observer. The male mounted the female which continued walking with protests in form of screams. A pair was found to live in holes in trees about 3-4 mts. above ground. It appears to be sensitive to non-living objects to which it was once attracted with aggressives display. Oranial: Skull-mounted with specimens.
Remarks: It appears to be one of the commonest cat in the forest.
It was seen on forest roads and in grassy clearings hunting hares and rodents. Oranial: Skull-mounted with specimens.

Panthera pardus pardus (Linnaeus)
Remarks: The leopard is not so common as supposed. During the survey, we saw it only twice but it may be due to its stealthy habits.

Records of the Zoological Survey of Inilia
The specimen though fully adult have unbranched small antlers. This deer was found throughout the area in forested area but is rare. Groups of females including 4-5 individual were seen occasionally in May. An adult female shot by a poacher was seen at Amarkantak. The stag in hard antlers were found in May and January. Their wallows and resting places could be identified from their foot prints and droppings where they were common, e. g., Amarkantak.
Remark: Although seldom seen, it was reported to be common in scrub jungle where it is frequently poached. A small herd of 5 is kept in the premises of Jabalpur Central Jail where it roams about freely in lawn and is a sourse of recreation to prisioners. Material: 1 ~ M. P., Rani Durgavati Road, Jabalpur Dist. June 1963 (mounted.) The hare was common and was never missed on grassy meadows at night. A method adopted in villages to hunt it and other hares is to go through its habitat early in the mornin~ in winter and at noon in KHAJURlA AND GHOSAL ; Studies on Wildlife of Narbada Valley 249 summer when it suns itself or rests outside bushes. The hunter looks sideway while moving forward. As soon as the animal is spotted, the hunter tries to encircle it uttering loud sound. The animal crouches down instead of runni~g away and then approached within a shooting distance. Oranial measurements: 1 ~ (Jabalpur); occipitonasal length, 37. 4; nasal, 11.7 ; palate, 18.7 ; frontal, 10.9 ; upper tooth row, 7.1.

Order
Remarks: Hinder portion of stripes of one specimen (Manot) is somewhat greyish orange not whitish or white. Tail of other two specimens is blackish with few white hairs. Underparts of one specimen (Manot) is pinkish white. The squirrel is very common in the ea~em parts of the valley upto Distt. Hoshangabad. Two young were kept in captivity and fed on cows' milk but did not survive for more than a week. One female from a large family living in a house in Jabalpur city avoided mounting by a male by getting under its belly at least for j hr. but did not run away. Remarks: Only two specimens have reddish fur on the back. The species is found among rocks near Jabalpur city but it is known to inhabit fields and even sandy beds of ri~ers elsewhere. The whitish colouration of the long distal part of the tail appears to be an adaptation as it generally protudes from the haunts of the rats but looks something unlike the taU of a rat. Khajuria (in press) has given a detailed account of its habits and morphology. Material: 10' Military Grass Farm, Cantt., Jabalpur, 24. 4. 1961 (mounted).
Remark8: A great variation in colour of under parts is observed without geographical significance. In 4 specimens they are greyish and in 2 specimens, they are whitish while in one it is yellowish~ Generally the fur of this species is harsh but two specimens from Mandla, have softer fur. The skulls of the species were commonly found in the pellets of the owls. It is common near human dwellings. Material: 1 unsexed, near Jabalpur city, skull damaged 1 unsexed, Burmanghat, Narsinghpur

Mus booduga booduga
Remark8: This mouse appears common in the field and sometime appear to enter houses.