Abstract

Habitat preference of five harbivores in Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in the Western Ghats of South India, was studied during the years 1992 to 1995. Indian porcupine (Hystrix india), Blacknaped Hare (Lepus nigricollis), Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Sambar (Cervus unicolor) and Wild Boar (Sus scrofa) showed preference for Teak plantations when compared to moist deciduous and evergreen forests. Among the herbivores studied, only Porcupine and Sambar showed significant difference in habitat use during summer and monsoon season. Possible reasons for the difference in habitat use of herbivores is discussed