Working of Camera Trap
Every camera trap works in a similar manner which relies on motion detection. The camera trap is fitted with an infrared light illuminator that is not visible to the animals/birds. When an object passes across the beam of infrared light, the detector gets activated which turns on the flash and the camera. The flash illuminates the passing object (animals/birds) and the camera captures the image. The infrared light (wavelength of 940 nm) is outside the visible spectrum and thus not visible, and the animal/bird is not affected by it.Applications of Camera Trap
Camera Traps are usually set up around locations like a water body or trails which have indicators like pug marks, scats or claw marks of the animals.Camera Traps are used around the world for various purposes most likely focused on conservation, some of the major purposes of camera traps are:
- Surveying, Tracking and Monitoring
- Determining the activity pattern (at what time the animal is active)
- Behavioural pattern (behaviour such as foraging, hunting, and mating)
)
Camera Trap Images Captured Around Utsav Camp Sariska
1. Striped Hyena (Hyaena Hyaena)
IUCN status: Near Threatened
The Indian striped Hyena is a specialist nocturnal scavenger actively searching for carcasses and if an opportunity arises, will prey on small animals like jackals, hares or goats. It has creamy mud colour fur with black stripes and a long fluffy tail. The hindlimbs are shorter than the forelimbs and hence the posterior body has a downward slope. The Indian striped Hyena is majorly distributed in arid regions of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
2. Jungle cat (Felis Chaus)
IUCN status: Least Concern
Jungle cat is a medium-sized nocturnal cat found all over Central India with dense vegetation, woodlands, grasslands, and cultivation fields. It has a sandy grey coat with no spots or stripes on the body and is seen actively hunting birds, rodents, snakes and occasionally peacocks and porcupines.
3. Small Indian civet (Viverricula Indica)
IUCN status: Least Concern
The small Indian civet is a nocturnal animal with a pale grey coat with longitudinal bands running across its body. The feet portion has black fur and the long greyish tail has alternating seven to nine black rings. It hunts primarily at night and is fond of hunting mice, rats, birds, and occasionally poultry birds. The small Indian Civet is distributed throughout India in dense forests, forest edges, and grasslands.
4. Wild Boar (Sus Scrofa)
IUCN status: Least Concern
The wild boar, also called the wild pig is a brownish-grey pig found all over Central India across all habitats. It has a large stout body with a prominent nose and short lean limbs. The wild boards usually stay in herds digging grounds for roots, tubers, and seeds and occasionally scavenge and steal kills from other predators.
5. Blue Bull (Boselaphus Tragocamelus)
IUCN status: Least Concern
The Blue Bull, commonly known as ‘Nilgai’ is the largest antelope species of India. The males are greyish-blue in colour and have sharp conical horns. The females are light brown in colour and have no horns. The Nilgai prefers open grasslands with short and scattered shrubs. It is considered one of the major pests in Central India due to its frequent invasion into the agricultural fields which cause economic loss to the farmers.
6. Golden Jackal (Canis Aureus)
IUCN status: Least Concern
Golden Jackal is a small nocturnal canine that resides primarily in scrublands, forest edges and dry forests. It has a creamy yellow or dark beige colour fur with a narrow-pointed muzzle, long furry tail and short legs. Golden Jackal primarily hunt hares, rodents, pheasants, francolins, fawns, ducks and poultry birds.
7. Ruddy Mongoose (Urva Smithii)
IUCN status: Least Concern
The Ruddy Mongoose inhabits open forests, dry river beds, burrows and rocky hills. It is found all over Peninsular India. It has grey coat fur with a black-tipped tail. The body is elongated with short limbs preying mainly on birds, scorpions and snakes. In some cases, will scavenge and raid the nests of birds eating the eggs.
)
8. Indian Fox (Vulpes Bengalensis)
IUCN status: Least Concern
The Indian Fox, also known as the Bengal Fox is an endemic fox species of the Indian subcontinent. It has a greyish coat with hints of rufous fur on its legs and underparts. It has a dainty appearance and a long black-tipped bushy tail. The Indian Fox is mainly nocturnal feeding on small mammals and birds, reptiles, insects and also on fruits.
9. Indian Leopard (Panthera Pardus Fusca)
IUCN status: Vulnerable
The Indian Leopard has a pale yellow to yellowish brown coat with black rosette patterns all over its body. The rosette pattern is unique to each individual and the tail ends in a white tip. The Leopard is one of the most elusive wild cats and lives solitarily, being active at night. It has a broad diet and is highly opportunistic preying on primates, hares, deers, peafowls, and wild boars.
10. Indian Crested Porcupine (Hystrix Indica)
IUCN status: Least Concern
The Indian Crested Porcupine is the largest rodent species in India which spends the entire day resting in underground burrows on hill slopes and rocky terrain. It is highly nocturnal and comes out of its burrow at night to feed on fruits, grains, insects, roots and smaller vertebrates. The porcupine is dark grey to black in colour with long sharp quills running from its head to the tail which are used for self-defence (although there is a misconception that the porcupine shoots its quills when threatened).
)
Vultures of Sariska
Discover the diverse vulture species inhabiting Sariska, their ecological roles, and the environmental effects they bring.
Read More
Deciduous Jungle of Sariska
The deciduous jungle of Sariska is home to a variety of trees and plants, each with significant medicinal and commercial value. Discover more about these remarkable species in this detailed guide.
Read More
Mythological Importance of Sariska
Learn about the mythological significance of Sariska, including its temples, forts, and more, in this insightful blog.
Read More
)
Sariska Tiger Reserve
Uncover Sariska Tiger Reserve in Alwar, Rajasthan! Delve into its history, park timings, and more in this detailed blog.
Read More
)
Avifauna of Utsav Camp Sariska, Around the Camp, and Nearby Wetlands
Explore the Avifauna of Utsav Camp Sariska, with diverse bird species around the camp and nearby wetlands, offering a birdwatcher's paradise and serene natural beauty.
Read More
Migratory Birds of Sariska
Delve into the migratory birds of Sariska and discover their seasonal migration patterns in this insightful blog.
Read More
Boulders of Tehla
Explore the enchanting world of Tehla's boulders, and its diverse flora and fauna, beautifully depicted in this detailed blog.
Read More