10 Small Mammals That Silently Keep India’s Forests & Farms Alive

India’s small mammals may be easy to miss, but they play dominant roles in protecting forests, farms, and gardens. Let’s get to know these silent workers.

1. Hedgehog Hedgehogs hunt insects and slugs, reducing garden and crop pests without chemicals, helping farmers and gardeners maintain healthy plants.

2. Palm squirrel As they dash and forage, palm squirrels scatter seeds far and wide, promoting tree growth and forest regeneration across India.

3. Grey mongoose Mongooses keep populations of rodents and snakes in check, playing a critical role in balancing ecosystems and protecting farmland.

4. Giant squirrel This large squirrel carries nuts and seeds through the forest treetops, aiding the spread of plants and the regeneration of woodlands.

5. Flying fox Flying foxes feed on nectar and fruit, pollinating flowers and dispersing seeds necessary for the survival of many Indian forests and orchards.

6. Shrew Shrews consume vast amounts of insects every day, helping control pests and supporting healthy crops and native plants.

7. Mole-rat By digging tunnels, mole-rats aerate soil, improving water flow and nutrient distribution, which benefits plant roots and farmland fertility.

8. Palm Civet Palm civets eat fruit at night and disperse seeds across wide areas, encouraging forest growth and biodiversity.

9. Nilgiri marten Found in the Western Ghats, Nilgiri martens prey on small animals like rodents and birds, keeping populations balanced and ecosystems healthy.