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Mundanthurai Sanctuary has diverse geographical features, which supports a wide variety of flora and fauna. The terrain of the Sanctuary is rolling and has narrow water streams. According to estimates, Mundanthurai Sanctuary has a forest cover of about 567 sq km, mainly comprising of thick evergreen forest. The high mountain ranges of the Western Ghats have dense cover of evergreen, moist deciduous forests and savannah grasslands. In addition, the marshy areas are full of tall grasslands, making the region one of the good habitats of large mammals. The thick vegetation of the Mundanthurai Sanctuary provides both excellent cover and nourishment.
Animal, which roam in the Sanctuary, are Tiger; Bonnet macaque, Langurs, Slenders Loris, Sloth Bear, Sambar, Chital and wild dog to name a very few. It is an excellent natural habitat for various species of fauna and varieties of reptiles and insects.
The two distinguished animals are: -
Sambar is particularly an Indian species; they are dark brown with chestnut marks on the bottom. Sambars are wanderers that live in woodlands like Kalakkadu Sanctuary and feed mainly on coarse vegetation, grass, and herbs. They live in herds of 5-6 members, grazing grass, sprigs, fruit and bamboo. although mainly of the tropics, these deer range up to high elevations such as the mixed coniferous and deciduous forests of Mundanthurai Sanctuary
Sloth Bears inhabit forested areas and grasslands at lower elevations of south India, mainly Tamil Nadu. They can live both in dry and jungle areas. The main food for Sloth Bears is termites, which are abundant in sanctuaries. They also eat other insects, bird eggs, honey, fruits and a range of vegetation.
The reptile species in Mundanthurai Sanctuary includes the Marsh Crocodile, Monitor Lizard, Rock Python, Bamboo Pit Snake, Rat Snake, Wolf Snake, Vine Snake, Common Krait, and Russell's viper. The Sanctuary also has few variety of turtles, frogs are and amphibians.
The moderate and favorable climatic conditions in and around Mundanthurai Sanctuary support a unique and diverse wildlife. Over 500 species of wildlife have been identified in Mundanthurai Sanctuary so far.
Periyar National Park also has a good population of birds. Over 200 species of birds have been spotted in the Sanctuary. The species of birds found in Mundanthurai Sanctuary include the Nilgiri Wood Pigeons, Black-winged Kite, Blue-winged Parakeets, Great Indian Hornbill, White-bellied Tree Pies, Laughing Thrushes, Fly Catchers, Darters, Cormorants, Barbets and Plovers among many others
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