Environment › Species in news
Reptiles, amphibians and aquatic species
Reptiles, amphibians, fish and the mammals of rivers and seas as species: crocodiles, turtles, snakes, frogs, dolphins, sharks and the fish of India's rivers and coasts. Prelims has asked which is India's national aquatic animal.
UPSC has asked
- Prelims 2015: India's national aquatic animal
Showing 1 of 2 subjects, those that changed from 1 to 15 July 2026.Show all
Himalayan salamander
Copy link to Himalayan salamanderPrelims and Mains
The Himalayan salamander (Tylototriton himalayanus) is one of only three salamander species found in India, and occurs in eastern Nepal, Darjeeling and western Bhutan. Molecular work in 2015 separated it from Tylototriton verrucosus. More than 80 per cent of its habitat lies outside protected areas, in tea gardens, village commons and community forest.
What changed
13 Jul 2026New subject
- Conservation work on the species in Darjeeling, built on wetland restoration and removal of invasive species, won a 2026 Whitley Award.