Animals

1. നായ

   naaya

   Dog

   Usage

   Street dogs are common. "Naaya kadichu" means a dog bit me

2. പൂച്ച

   poocha

   Cat

   Usage

   For the resident guesthouse cat, or to say you are allergic

3. പക്ഷി

   pakshi

   Bird

   Usage

   The general word for birds — useful at Thattekad or Kumarakom bird sanctuaries

4. മീൻ

   meen

   Fish

   Usage

   Used for the animal and the dish. Fish is central to Kerala meals

5. കുതിര

   kuthira

   Horse

   Usage

   For riding and horse carts

6. പശു

   pashu

   Cow

   Usage

   Sacred in Hinduism. Never shoo or strike a cow even when it blocks the road, and read the situation before photographing one

7. കാള

   kaala

   Ox / Bull

   Usage

   Pulls carts in villages and works the paddies at planting time

8. എരുമ

   eruma

   Buffalo

   Usage

   Kept for milk — most Indian milk is buffalo milk

9. പന്നി

   panni

   Pig

   Usage

   Useful for stating dietary limits. Pork does appear on Kerala menus

10. കോഴി

    kozhi

    Chicken

    Usage

    For ordering chicken; used for both the bird and the meat

11. താറാവ്

    thaaraavu

    Duck

    Usage

    Herded in huge flocks in the Kuttanad backwaters; duck curry is a local speciality

12. ആട്

    aadu

    Goat

    Usage

    Wanders freely even in towns. Indian "mutton" is usually goat

13. ചെമ്മരിയാട്

    chemmariyaadu

    Sheep

    Usage

    Uncommon in Kerala but kept on high-altitude farms

14. ആന

    aana

    Elephant

    Usage

    A symbol of Kerala, paraded in ornaments at temple festivals. Always follow the mahout's instructions

15. കുരങ്ങ്

    kurangu

    Monkey

    Usage

    Snatches food and bags at temples and hill stations. Avoid eye contact and hold your bag in front

16. പുലി

    puli

    Leopard

    Usage

    Found in reserves such as Periyar. "Tiger" is a separate word, kaduva (കടുവ) — in standard Malayalam, puli means leopard

17. പാമ്പ്

    paambu

    Snake

    Usage

    Possible in villages and rubber plantations; go to hospital at once if bitten

18. മൂർഖൻ

    moorkhan

    Cobra

    Usage

    Venomous. Kerala has sacred snake groves called "kaavu". Keep away and call for help

19. മുതല

    muthala

    Crocodile

    Usage

    Lives in rivers and backwaters — worth asking about before swimming

20. ആമ

    aama

    Turtle / Tortoise

    Usage

    Sea turtle conservation runs along the coast

21. തവള

    thavala

    Frog

    Usage

    Calls loudly through the monsoon — handy for explaining a noisy night

22. പല്ലി

    palli

    House gecko

    Usage

    Common on guesthouse walls and harmless. Careful: "palli" written with the retroflex letter means a church or mosque

23. ഓന്ത്

    onthu

    Chameleon

    Usage

    The lizard on garden trees and walls, distinct from the indoor gecko

24. എലി

    eli

    Rat / Mouse

    Usage

    Grounds for asking to change rooms

25. മുയൽ

    muyal

    Rabbit

    Usage

    Seen as a pet or at a zoo

26. വവ്വാൽ

    vavvaal

    Bat

    Usage

    Flies around big trees at dusk; fruit bat colonies roost in trees all over. Do not handle them

27. കൊതുക്

    kothuku

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Carries dengue and chikungunya. Show it when asking for a net or coil

28. പാറ്റ

    paatta

    Cockroach

    Usage

    Report it at reception when asking for a clean or a room change

29. ഉറുമ്പ്

    urumbu

    Ant

    Usage

    Swarms on sweets left out — keep them sealed

30. തേനീച്ച

    theneecha

    Bee

    Usage

    Literally "honey fly". Mention it in advance if you are allergic

31. ഈച്ച

    eecha

    Fly

    Usage

    Gathers on street food — use it when asking for a cover

32. ചിലന്തി

    chilanthi

    Spider

    Usage

    Often in room corners; mostly harmless, but you can ask for a clean

33. ചിത്രശലഭം

    chithrashalabham

    Butterfly

    Usage

    The Western Ghats are rich in species, especially after the rains

34. മയിൽ

    mayil

    Peacock

    Usage

    India's national bird, seen in drier lowlands and reserves

35. അണ്ണാൻ

    annaan

    Squirrel

    Usage

    The striped palm squirrel, common on coconut palms and in city parks

36. കാക്ക

    kaakka

    Crow

    Usage

    Everywhere. It will take food left on a balcony

37. അട്ട

    atta

    Leech

    Usage

    Unavoidable when trekking the Western Ghats in the rains. Remove with salt or repellent rather than pulling

38. തേൾ

    thel

    Scorpion

    Usage

    Hides under firewood and stones. Check inside your shoes before putting them on outdoors

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