Animals

1. కుక్క

   kukka

   Dog

   Usage

   Street dogs are common. "Kukka karichindi" means a dog bit me

2. పిల్లి

   pilli

   Cat

   Usage

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

3. పక్షి

   pakshi

   Bird

   Usage

   The general word for birds — useful at reservoirs and wetlands

4. చేప

   chepa

   Fish

   Usage

   Used for the animal and the dish; fish is plentiful along the Godavari and the coast

5. గుర్రం

   gurram

   Horse

   Usage

   For carriages and riding

6. ఆవు

   aavu

   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. ఎద్దు

   eddu

   Ox / Bull

   Usage

   Pulls carts in villages; decorated and honoured at Sankranti — do not touch it then

8. గేదె

   gede

   Buffalo

   Usage

   Kept for milk — most Indian milk is buffalo milk. Herds often block the road

9. పంది

   pandi

   Pig

   Usage

   Useful when stating dietary restrictions

10. కోడి

    kodi

    Chicken

    Usage

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

11. బాతు

    baathu

    Duck

    Usage

    Seen on ponds and canals; rarely on menus

12. మేక

    meka

    Goat

    Usage

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

13. గొర్రె

    gorre

    Sheep

    Usage

    Grazed in the dry interior; flocks can block the road

14. ఏనుగు

    enugu

    Elephant

    Usage

    Seen at temples and in reserves — follow the handler's instructions

15. కోతి

    kothi

    Monkey

    Usage

    Snatches food and bags at temples and hilltop sites. Avoid eye contact and hold your bag in front

16. పులి

    puli

    Tiger

    Usage

    Found in reserves such as Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam — the word to use when booking a safari

17. పాము

    paamu

    Snake

    Usage

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

18. నాగుపాము

    naagupaamu

    Cobra

    Usage

    Venomous, and also an object of Naga worship. Keep away and call for help

19. మొసలి

    mosali

    Crocodile

    Usage

    Lives in rivers and reservoirs — worth asking about before swimming

20. తాబేలు

    thaabelu

    Turtle / Tortoise

    Usage

    Seen in rivers and ponds; sea turtle conservation runs along the coast

21. కప్ప

    kappa

    Frog

    Usage

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

22. బల్లి

    balli

    House gecko

    Usage

    Common on guesthouse walls. Harmless and eats insects

23. ఊసరవెల్లి

    oosaravelli

    Chameleon

    Usage

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

24. ఎలుక

    eluka

    Rat / Mouse

    Usage

    Grounds for asking to change rooms

25. కుందేలు

    kundelu

    Rabbit

    Usage

    Seen as a pet or at a zoo, and wild in dry scrubland

26. గబ్బిలం

    gabbilam

    Bat

    Usage

    Flies around old buildings and big trees at dusk. Do not handle them

27. దోమ

    doma

    Mosquito

    Usage

    Carries dengue and malaria. Show it when asking for a coil or screen

28. బొద్దింక

    boddinka

    Cockroach

    Usage

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

29. చీమ

    cheema

    Ant

    Usage

    Swarms on sweets left out — keep them sealed

30. తేనెటీగ

    theneteega

    Bee

    Usage

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

31. ఈగ

    eega

    Fly

    Usage

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

32. సాలీడు

    saaleedu

    Spider

    Usage

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

33. సీతాకోకచిలుక

    seethaakokachiluka

    Butterfly

    Usage

    Common in gardens and fields after the rains

34. నెమలి

    nemali

    Peacock

    Usage

    India's national bird, seen in villages and reserves and noisy before the rains

35. ఉడుత

    uduta

    Squirrel

    Usage

    The striped palm squirrel, common even in city parks

36. కాకి

    kaaki

    Crow

    Usage

    Everywhere in every town — it will take food left outside

37. తేలు

    thelu

    Scorpion

    Usage

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

38. గాడిద

    gaadida

    Donkey

    Usage

    Used to carry building materials and laundry. Aimed at a person it means "fool", so keep it to the animal

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