Thorny and fleshy species, both of which are xerophytic adaptations, are charteristic of this vegetation type. Narrow belts of riverine vegetation occur along stream banks, notably the Moyar. There are teak plantations, particularly in Benne Block, and a eucalyptus plantation in the Masinagudi area. Tragulus meminna , which is ubiquitous, and wild boar Sus scrofa . Rodents include giant squirrel Ratufa indica maxima and flying squirrel Petaurista petaurista .
Bird life is rich.
Regional endemics include Malabar trogon Harpactes fasciatus and Malabar grey hornbill Tockus griseus . Predatory birds include crested hawk-eagle Spizaetus cirrhatus and crested serpent eagle Spilornis cheela . Much of the sanctuary is exploited for forest produce. The earliest plant collections were made by Beddome et al . More recent ecological studies were carried out between 1970 and 1973 by Sharma et al .