| Due to its variety of climatic conditions there is a creation of different types of forests whose natural shelter and food harbor a range of fauna, some of which are peculiar to Arunachal Pradesh. It is the only state, which has the four major cats, the tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and the snow leopard-and lesser feline species like the golden cat and marbled cat. More than 500 bird species have been recorded, many of which are highly endangered and restricted to this state like the white-winged duck, sclater monal, Bengal floricans etc. A large mammal called mithun-a cross between the wild gaur and domestic buffalo-is a majestic animal here. Individual wealth is reckoned in terms of the number of mithuns possessed. Mithun counts for cash transactions and is looked upon as a precious part of a dowry. Arunachal Pradesh has an equally rich variety of reptiles, amphibian, and pisces. Arunachal Pradesh also has a number of national parks and sanctuaries. |
