Mammals
Small herds of Spotted Deer, a solitary Sambhar, a darting Barking Deer or being surprised by a Black-naped Hare running across your path are just some of the pleasant surprises of the National Park, but nothing can really match the awe, fear and goose-pimply feeling when one is confronted by a large Leopard. The density of Leopards is one of the highest for any such wilderness, which makes this encounter a very real possibility. Sighting a Porcupine, which is rare, or a Palm civet, hardly seen these days or encountering a striped Hyena can make it a memorable experience. The lucky few can possibly see the elusive Four-horned Antelope or the extremely shy Mouse Deer. The monkey species includes the Rhesus Macaque, which is an introduced species, the Bonnet Macaque and the completely vegetarian Hanuman langur (leaf monkey). The Indian flying fox is the biggest of the 17 bat species found in the park.
Birds
The National Park is a bird watchers’ paradise. From the tiny Tickell's Flowerpecker (small bird in India), many species of Sunbirds (old world equivalent of the humming birds) to the majestic White-bellied Sea Eagle. It is a visual feast with birds like the Paradise Flycatcher, the elusive Trogon, many species of Kingfishers, Woodpeckers, the continuous calling of the Brown-headed Barbet, the wildly screeching Parakeets, the metallic calls of the Racket-tailed Drongo, the musical call of the Tickell’s Blue Flycatcher or the extremely melodious song of the Malabar Whistling Thrush or the familiar refrain of the Spotted babbler are just a few facets of nature's symphony in this forest.
Reptiles, Amphibians, Butterflies etc.
The Reptilian world is well represented by Crocodiles in Tulsi Lake, Monitor Lizards, Pythons, Cobras, Russell's viper, Bamboo-pit Viper and the extremely rare Ceylonese Cat Snake recently discovered by the staff of Bombay National History Society. Smaller reptiles also add to the wonder of this park. The invertebrate world from Crabs to Spiders to insects, Giant wood spiders, Signature spiders, Black wood spider with their large webs in monsoon is a treat to any naturalist. The insect world shows abundant variations in the form of Silk cotton bugs, Beetles and several kinds of Mantis. The Butterfly world is represented in a fascinating range of sizes and colors and the spectacular Blue Mormon, the phenomenal artist of camouflage the Blue Oak leaf, the bright Jezebels and Large Yellow and White Orange tips, Monarchs, Egg fly, Sailors are some of the many attractive butterflies one can find here.