The topography of Tamil Nadu is delightfully varied and diverse. Of the 1,30,058 sq km land area, 17.6% is covered with forest area. These spreads over the plain and on mountain slopes. Dry lands are bestowed with dry-decidious forests, thorn forests, scrubs and mangroves. The Western Ghats and a few cooler regions are endowed with moist decidious, wet evergreen forests, sholas and grasslands.

There are 5 National Parks and 17 Wildlife Sactuaries in Tamil Nadu. The famous ones are :

Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park

Spread over 958 sq kms, this sanctuary can be reached though Topslip in Anamalai Hills on the Western Ghats. An ecological Paradise, this sanctuary encompasses a National Park with an area of 108 sq kms. About 800 species out of 2000 South Indian Flora are distributed here.

This sanctuary nurtures Arboreal animals like lion tailed macaque, bonnet macaque, Comon Langur, nilgiris langur, Malabar Giant squirrel and Grizzled Giant Squirrel. The ground animals listed are: Tiger, Panther, Elephant, Gaur, Pangolin, Sambar, Spotted Deer, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Wild boar, Dhole, Sloth Bear, Porcupine, Nilgiris TAhr, Civet Cat and Taddy Cat. The Avifauna includes Racket Tailed Drongo, Black Headed Oriole, Paradise Fly-catche, WhistlingThrush, Emerald Dove, Green pigeon, Tickell's Flower Pecker, Rufus Wood Pecker, Rose Ringed Parakeet, Black Eagle, Great Indian, Malabar pied HornBill, Fiary Blue Bird and green billed malkhoha etc.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in Nilgiri Hills, the offshoot of the Western ghats meet the eastern ghats. This 321 sq km wide sanctuary encompasses a National Park measuring an area of 103 sq kms. More Info

Mukkurthi National Park

Located on the high altitudes of the Nilgiris, 40 kms from Udhagamandalam. It contains a viable population of Nigiri Tahr (Hamitrgus-hilocrius), Sambar, Nilgiri Marten, Barking deer, ........... More Info

Kalakkadu Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in an area of 223 sq kms in the Tirunelveli District. Wildlife seen in the sanctuary inludes Lion Tailed Macaque, Nilgiri Langur, Bonnet Macaque and common Langur, Nilgiri Tahr, .............. More Info

Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary

Situated in an area of 567 sq kms in the Tirunelveli District. Animal wealth includes Tiger, Bonnet Macaque, Langurs, Slender Loris, .............. More Info

Point Calimere Wild Life Sanctuary

Sprawling on 17.26 sq km surrounded by sea and shore, comprising forests of tidal swamps, this sanctuary is situated in Nagapattinam district. It is bestowed with populations of varied wild life such as Chittal, Wild Boar, ............ More Info

Srivilliputhur Grizzled Squirrel Wild Life Sanctuary

Located in Virudhunagar District, 45 kms off Virudhanagar Town. Interesting species are Flying Squirrel, Tree Shrew, Elephant , Lion-Tailed Macaque, many species of birds, ........... More Info

Guindy National Park

Situated in Chennai. Compositions of animals Black Buck, Chital, Jackal, Pangolin and a variety of Avi fauna. More Info

Vallanadu Black Buck Sanctuary

A scrub forest area spread over to 16.41 sq km this sanctuary is situated in Thuthukudi (Tuticorn) District. Blackbuck, Spotted Deer, Macaques, Jungle cat, Mangoose and hares are plenty. This sanctuary can be visited through out the year.

Vedanthangal And Karikili Bird Sanctuaries

Situated in the Kanchipuram district. In all 115 species of birds have been recorded in this sanctuary. More Info

Arignar Ann Zoological Park - Chennai

Situated in the outkirts of Chennai. More than 170 species of Mammals, Aviaries & reptiles are exhibited. More Info

The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust - Nemmeli

This Crocodile Bank has been established with an aim to protectand conserve the endangered reptiles such as crocodiles, Alligators etc. Situated 14 kms from Mamallapuram, this trust now houses more than 6 species of crocodiles.

Viralimalai

This small town is situated south of tiruchirapalli, is bestowed with a large number of wild Peacocks, which roam around the Murugan Temple situated here.

Gulf Of Mannar Marine National Park

This a marine Bio Sphere, running along with coasts of Ramanathapuram and Tuthukudi (Tuticorin) Districts. This national Park is full of coral reefs, Dolphins, Turtles, .......... More Info