Some of the important animals still thrive in the interior forests include

Panthera tigris  -Tiger (Kaduva)

Melursus ussinus - sloth Bear(karadi)

Pauthera pardus- Leopard ( pu1i)

and Elephas nzaximus- Indian Elephant (Ana )

Indian Bison – Gaur (Kattu Pottu) is common in north Wynad and Nilambur. 

Wild Boar (Kattupanni)

Hemitragus hylocrius - Nilgiri Tahr( Kattadu)

 Felis chaus - Jungle cat (Kattu poocha);

Cuon alpinns - Indian wild dog are seen in interior and foothills of the Western Ghats in north Kerala. Kattadu is commonly found on the slapes of the Kundaha, the hills surrounding the Attappadi valley and in the sides of the Palghat gap.

Among the Squirrels , Ratufu indica - Indian Giant squirrels or Malabar squirrels( Annan) are generally found in north Kerala. Other types in Kerala include Ratufa macronra -Indian squirrel and Funambulus suflineatus Waterhouse- Dusky stripped squirrel.

Cervus nuicolor – sambar(Kalaman ) is the largest of the deer tribe.

Axis axis (Pulliman) is abundant especially in the Nilambur forests.

Tragulus meminna - Mouse-deer( Kezhaman) is widely distributed.

Among the lesser denizens of the jungles monkeys and lemurs are well represented in the Ghat forests. Nilgiri langur-Karin Kurangu,

Macaque radiata- Macaque (Vella kurangu), and

Loris malabaricus -slender Loris(Kuthitevangu) are common in the forests. Jackal (Kurukan) is a fa-

Herpestes edwardsi -Indian Grey Mangoose (Kiri) is the commonest mangoose found all over the forests and foothills.

A number of varieties of birds are seen throughout Kerala, and some of them commonly found include:

 Pavo cristatus - common Peafowl(Myle)

 Psittacula cyanocephala – Parakeet (Thatta);

Gracula religiosa – Hill Myna(Kattu Myna);

 Acridotheres tristis - common Myna,

Motacilla maderaspalensis - wood pecker (Maramkotthi);

Athena brama - Spotted owlet(Munga);

 Milvus migrans – Pariahkite (Parunthu);

Corvus splendeus – Hougecrow( kakka)

Corvus macrorhynchos - Jungle-crow(Bali-kakka);

 Hrcruius mrrcrocercus - king crow(kakka keel)

Centropus sinensis – Coucal(Uppan);

Erget - (Kokku)

Kerala is rich in fresh water and marine-water fishes. The rivers and back-waters are full of various types of fresh-water fishes. The long coast line of Kerala is a source of different kinds of marine fishes. The people in Kerala generally use varieties of marine and fresh-water fishes.

Some of the commonly used fresh water fishes include :

Etroplus suratensis – Chromides( karimeen);

Ophicephalus  sp. (Bral);

Etroplus maculates (Pallathi);

Alacrone seenghala  -cat-fish (Karatta);

The marine fishes which are generally used by the people are:

Thynnus thunnina - Tunny-fish( Ayila);

Pseudo sciaena – Jewfishes( kora);

Engraulis indicus – Clupea(Netholi),

Chirocentrus dorab –Clupea(Muliuvala);

Clupea ilish –Clupea(Paluva);

Dussumieria acuta – clupea(chala);

Sardinella longiceps – (Nallamathi);

Carcharias gangetious –(Sravu);

chempalli; Lactarius deticatulus, white fish( Parava); Silver promfret:

Avoli; Mural; whip Rays(Threndi)

Many reptiles, such as king cobra, viper, python, various turtles and crocodiles are found in Kerala.