What to Know Before You Go Desert National Park in Rajasthan

The range of both flora and fauna is, to many, surprisingly large for a desert area. The unique ecosystem reflects the successful adaptation by a range of mammals, birds, insects and flowers to a harsh climate with temperature ranges from below freezing to over 55°C (130°F).

The rolling landscape of sand-dunes and scrub-covered hills is often breath-taxingly beautiful. The active dunes of Sam contrast strikingly with the 180 million-year-old wood fossils at Akal 17 km (10 miles) from Jaisalmer which indicate that this now arid area must have once been hot, humid and luxuriant.

The scant vegetation and the animals dependent on it are in turn dependent on whatever water is available. Waterholes are therefore the ideal spots from which to watch animals and birds.

The small, active desert fox is an important predator keeping a natural check on the population of desert rats and gerbils. The fox, although normally shy, is often seen in the Miazalor area, especially in the winter, basking in the sun. The wolf is perhaps the main predator and jackal is found on the periphery of the park.

Many of the villages on the edge of the park are Bishnoi and the areas around these settlements are natural sanctuaries where the strong religious beliefs of the Bishnois ensure protection to all living creatures. Groups of blackbuck, chinkara and nilgai are found around the villages and now thrive in the park's areas of sparse, arid grassland. The blackbuck is a true antelope, living in large herds of 50 to 60 animals (mainly fawns and doe) on the open grasslands. The chinkara or Indian gazelle is spread throughout the park, in the sandy areas as well as the scrub grasslands, in small groups or as individuals. Also Visit - Rajasthan tour packages from Delhi India with Swantour.com

Some smaller mammals have adapted to the desert environment by burrowing like the gerbil, by living in colonies or by being nocturnal, like the crested porcupine.

Desert birdlife is extensive, ranging from a large number of birds of prey to sand grouse, doves, quails, partridges, shrikes, flycatchers, bee-eaters, warblers and desert coursers. The most remarkable bird of the desert is the Great Indian Bustard, weighing up to 14 kg (30 pounds) and standing up to 45 cm (18 inches). A reluctant flyer, the bustard lives on an omnivorous diet of locusts, grasshoppers, seeds, berries, lizards and even snakes. Habitat destruction and hunting threatened this majestic bird but it has thrived here and the population in the Desert National Park alone is now estimated to be over 1,000.

The Houbara bustard is also found in the park. Of the three resident species of sand-grouse, the Indian sand grouse is most impressive with its routine of arriving in small groups to join large turbulent flocks in the early morning, all of them gathering to drink at the same place each day. The pintail sand grouse is a winter visitor. The many insect and reptile species evident throughout the park form important links in the desert food chains. The 43 species of reptiles include lizards, chameleons and snakes.