Though Sri Lanka is very small in land area, the great diversity in habitats harbors are a rich and diverse fauna and flora, with many species endemic to the island. Historically as well as in the modern era, successive rulers and governments of Sri Lanka have strived to provide sanctuary and protection to our beautiful wild



Monday, November 8, 2010

What a fantastic place Sri Lanka is for seeing many of the wild animals of the Indian Sub-continent!  This island-country off the southeastern coast of India is home to Asian elephants, leopards, monkeys, mongoose, sloth bears, jackals, Sambar and chital deer, water buffalo and wild boars.  Reptiles  and amphibians include crocodiles and venomous snakes such as kraits, vipers and cobras, plus the more friendly geckos, frogs, and birds


MAMMALS
. Largest, and perhaps best known of the Sri Lankan wildlife is the Asian Elephant Elephus maximus.



Of the four species of wild cats found in Sri Lanka, the leopard is the largest. No information exists for all the species of cats in regard to their population, distribution and status. There is also small scale poaching of all the species of cats for their skins, teeth and meat.
Sri Lankan Leopard Pantera pardus kotika in Yala National Park.  With only about 35 leopards here,


The sloth bear is the only species of bear found in Sri Lanka, further research is needed to find out more about its ecology, distribution and status.



Of the five species of deer found in Sri Lanka, the spotted deer and its cousin, the sambar, have the largest distribution. Though there are still large populations of spotted deer in some areas, all five species of dSri Lanka has more than 400 species of deer consisting of residents, visitors and migrants. Of this 26 species are endemic to the island


BIRDS

Sri Lanka has more than 400 species of birds consisting of residents, visitors and migrants. Of this 26 species are endemic to the island. Large and small scale clearing of jungles and forests, causes local extinctions of the more specialized species, and threatens the survival of others. It is imperative to establish regional and urban wildlife sanctuaries for their long term survival.


FISH


The inland waters of Sri Lanka have more than 60 species of fresh water fish of which over 24 species are only found in Sri Lanka. Closer to a 1,000 species of fish are found in the coastal waters surrounding the island



REPTILIA
The cobra is one of the most well known snakes of the over 90 species of snakes found in Sri Lanka. There are also many species of lizards, two species of crocodiles and monitors, two species of aquatic turtles and one species of tortoise found in the island




INVERTEBRATES

Of the diverse and amazing array of  invertebrates found in Sri Lanka, there are over 240 species of butterflies, of which 14 species are endemic