OT Staff
India hosts five of the seven sea turtle species: Olive Ridley, Green, Hawksbill, Loggerhead, and Leatherback. They nest in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, and Odisha.
The whale shark, the largest fish, can grow up to 40 feet long. Despite their size, they are gentle filter feeders, primarily consuming plankton. Found in Gujarat's waters, especially near Saurashtra, conservation efforts protect them from fishing and habitat loss.
Dugongs, or sea cows, are shy marine mammals grazing on seagrass in the Gulf of Mannar and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Rare and elusive, they play a critical role in maintaining healthy seagrass beds, vital for the marine ecosystem’s health.
Manta rays, with wing-like fins reaching up to 23 feet, are graceful swimmers and gentle filter feeders. Common in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, they are popular among divers due to their impressive size and peaceful nature.
Humpback dolphins, recognizable by the hump beneath their dorsal fin, are found along India’s western coast. Known for playful behaviour, they are often spotted in Goa and Maharashtra’s coastal waters.
Predatory and fast, barracudas are commonly found in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep. Known for their torpedo-shaped bodies and sharp teeth, they are formidable hunters yet pose little danger to humans.
Highly venomous but generally docile, sea snakes inhabit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and the Gulf of Mannar. Skilled swimmers, they can stay submerged for long periods.
Found in the coral reefs of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Napoleon wrasses are large, vibrant fish known for the hump on their forehead. Growing up to six feet, they are a favourite among divers.
Eagle rays, identified by their spot patterns and bird-like heads, are common in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. They have wingspans up to 10 feet and are bottom feeders, foraging for molluscs and crustaceans.
White-tip reef sharks, distinguished by their white-tipped fins, are common in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands' coral reefs. Nocturnal hunters, they rest in caves during the day.