Customs & Rituals The term Custom comes from the Latin word Consuetudinem, meaning ‘habit’; while the term Ritual comes from the Latin word Ritualis, meaning (religious) rites. Traditions are the customs that are passed down from one generation to another. All three–customs, rituals and traditions–are extremely important to reinforce social bonds and structures. Customs and […]
Common name : Maranai Scientific name : Martes gwatkinsii Family : Mustelidae Native to : Nilgiri mountain range and parts of the Western Ghats, India Interesting fact : They have been known to raid beehives of farmers and are thus considered a nuisance. Conservation status : Vulnerable It is the only species of a marten
Common name : Blue bull, Rojh Scientific name : Boselaphus tragocamelus Family : Bovidae Native to : India Interesting fact : They fall prey most commonly to vehicular accidents. Conservation status : Least Concern The nilgai has thin legs and a robust body that slopes down from the shoulder; males have distinctive white marks on
Scientific name : Alces alces Family : Cervidae Native to : Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia and Russia Interesting fact : It is the largest living species of deer. Conservation status : Least Concern Their diet consists of both terrestrial and aquatic vegetation and fruits. An adult moose stands 4.6-6.9 feet high at the shoulder, and weighs
Common name : Little mountain monkey, Colocolo Scientific name : Dromiciops gliroides Family : Microbiotheriidae Native to : South America, primarily, Chile and Argentine Interesting fact : It is the only living South American marsupial, called a ‘living fossil’ since others of its genus are extinct. Conservation status : Near Threatened It is an omnivore
Common name : Mungus, Mungisa Family : Herpestidae Native to : Southern Asia, Africa, and Southern Europe Interesting fact : They are immune to a snake’s venom and are used to control population of vermin as well. Conservation status : Threatened There are 33 species of mongooses, ranging from 24 to 58 cm in length,
Common name : Dirt tosser Family : Talpidae Native to : North America, Asia and Europe Interesting fact : Their blood cells have a special protein which helps them reuse oxygen inhaled, helping them survive below the earth. There are twelve sub-species of these sub-terranean mammals; a group of moles is called a ‘labour’! They
Common name : American mink Scientific name : Neovison vison Family : Mustelidae Native to : America and Europe Interesting fact : Trapped for fur Conservation status : Critically Endangered in America The mink is a common name for the semi-aquatic mammal. For centuries, they were trapped for fur, and only recently, due to various
Common name : Suricate Scientific name : Suricata suricatta Family : Herpestidae Native to : Africa Interesting fact : They are especially scared of birds; aeroplanes send them scurrying into their burrows! Conservation status : Least Concern The meerkat is a small carnivore belonging to the mongoose family. It has a long slender body and
Common name : Cinereus shrew Scientific name : Sorex cinereus Family : Soricidae Native to : Alaska, Canada, Northern United States Interesting fact : They eat constantly, as they can survive only a few hours without food. Conservation status : Least Concern It is grey-brown in colour with a light grey underside and a pointed
Common name : Shakhawat Scientific name : Capra falconeri Family : Bovidae Native to : Mountainous North-Eastern parts of Asia Interesting fact : It is the national animal of Pakistan. Conservation status : Endangered It is a large species of a wild goat found in Asia. They stand 65-115 cm at the shoulder, measure 132-186
Common name : Golden dog, Kalak Scientific name : Chrysocyon brachyurus Family : Canidae Native to : Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Peru Interesting fact : They are killed for body parts which are believed to have magical properties. Conservation status : Vulnerable It is an omnivorous mammal which looks like a long-legged fox, with a
There was a kind couple. The husband and wife were generous and helped everyone. But they did not have any children. Now, God was happy with them. So, he blessed them with a special son on Christmas. One night, God appeared to the wife in a dream and promised that He would take care of
Common name : Drillo, Papio sphinx Scientific name : Mandrillus sphinx Family : Cercopithecidae Native to : Southern Cameroon, Gabon, Guinea and Congo Interesting fact : They have blue faces around the noses. Conservation status : Vulnerable It is an omnivorous primate found in the tropical rainforests. They have red lips and nostrils, yellow beards,
Common name : American lynx, Canada lynx Scientific name : Lynx canadensis Family : Felidae Native to : North America, Europe, Asia Interesting fact : It is the national animal of the Republic of Macedonia and Romania. Conservation status : Least Concern Lynx are medium-sized wild cats with short tails and characteristic tufts of black