The Oulx-Amazas Xerotermic Oasis occupies part of the eastern slope of Mount Cotolivier (2.106 m), from the valley up to about 1,500 m of altitude and part of the mainstream of the Dora Riparia which runs along the slopes. In all, more than 300 hectares where are located the pinewoods of the pebbly shore of the Dora, with willow Salix purpurea and Salix eleagnos, grasslands by mowing and dry grasslands on calcareous substrate, with wonderful flowers of orchids. It is precisely in the latter habitat that you can observe the orchids typical of Mediterranean environments, the Ophrys, that make unique this corner of the valley. Some of these orchids, as the O. fuciflora, have developed a reproductive strategy particular: one of the petals, Labello, visually imitates olfattivamente, and even as fluff, the back of a bumblebee female. In this way are pollinated by young males of the insect.
Here also flourished the Aceras antropophorum that, observed closely, shows its flowers in the form of a man, from which the name. Between the colorful butterflies, Parnassius apollo and Hyles hippophaes are protected species at European level, but Polyommatus exuberans is a licenide endemic to the Susa Valley, is only here. Among the reptiles that found in these environments milder temperatures with respect to the rest of the valley, it is not difficult to meet the smooth colubro, a snake absolutely harmless, but which is often confused with the Viper because, if surprised, as a defensive strategy, does everything to assomigliarle. The slopes of Cotolivier are also known by the lovers of birdwatching in the migration of birds of prey, including the honey buzzard, which as the name suggests scientific, pernis apivorus, nourishes insects, wasps especially. Also Wolf, priority species as the level of protection, is present in this site.