Dangerous insects of Sri Lanka. Animals of Sri Lanka - acquaintance with interesting representatives of the fauna Monkeys in Sri Lanka where to see

Even having visited the island several times, its nature never ceases to amaze. The country is unique in a large number of national parks and reserves, and the population of the island treats the "smaller brothers" very carefully, because most of the population are Buddhists, and one of their commandments says: "All living things run away from suffering. Know yourself in the living and do no harm." The nature of Sri Lanka is amazing, diverse and rich.

One of the most famous is national park Yalla. It was created in 1900 as a reserve, and in 1938 received the status of a national park. 44 species of mammals live here (including elephant, leopard, Sri Lankan sloth, red slender loris, which is an endangered species, fishing cat, Indian buffalo, mongoose, etc.). Also in Yalla there are 46 species of reptiles, 18 species of amphibians, 21 species of freshwater fish, and 215 species of birds. On the territory there is an interesting attraction - the ancient Buddhist temple complex Situlpawe, which in itself deserves attention. In the north-west of the country is the largest national park in Sri Lanka - Vilpatu. In 1938, it was created to protect savanna forests and bushes. Asian elephants, buffaloes, sloth bears, leopards, hornbills, ibises, pelicans, peacocks, etc. live here. There are more than 40 fresh and salt lakes in the park. Of great interest is the Gal-Oya National Park. The height of the territory is from 30 to 900 m above sea level, on its territory there is a large reservoir, several peaks, evergreen forests, savannahs, mountain meadows, and a Buddhist monastery with the ruins of ancient buildings. Gal-Oya is home to 32 species of mammals and more than 150 species of birds: elephants, axises, buffaloes, leopards, macaques, wild boars, Javanese marabou, gray pelicans, red-faced bush cuckoo, Indian cormorant, white-bellied eagle and many others. Among reptiles, the marsh crocodile and the star turtle are common. Waterfowl and elephants can be seen in national parks Udawalawe, Mineria, Vasgamuwa, Lahugala-Kitulana, Maduru-Oya (by the way, the well-known tribe of the Veddas lives here), Flood Plains.

There are also "bird sanctuaries" in Sri Lanka. A striking example is the Kumana National Park, in which 255 species of waterfowl and near-water birds live and breed: black stork, Eurasian spoonbill, sandpipers, pintails that fly to Ceylon from Russian Siberia, loaf (listed in the Red Book in Russia), red heron, big white heron, pelican, Indian cormorant, varieties of pheasants, plover, stilt, tules, turnstone, fifi (found in Altai in Russia), handbill, herbalist, carrier, woodcock, etc. Also a large number of birds (160 species) lives in the Kaudulla National Park, and only in this reserve are found spotted deer-albinos. 68 species of birds live in the urban national park of Horagolla in the west of the island (40 km from Colombo), which was originally declared a nature reserve wildlife due to its great biodiversity. The park has 68 species of birds. The most common here are parrots, crested bulbul, bearded. There is also a gray hornbill and a pygmy kingfisher. They live in Khoragol and different kinds butterflies, including the blue Mormon and the bird-winged butterfly.

The pride of Sri Lanka are marine national parks. To minimise negative impact on the ecosystem, the coral reefs in the Hikkaduwa region were declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1979, and Pigeon Island received the status of a national park in 2003. Coral island Pigeon is a nursery for the rock dove (which is why it is called pigeon island), and in its coastal waters 100 species of corals and 300 species of coral fish, as well as blacktip reef sharks, hawksbill turtles, green turtles and the smallest sea turtles olive turtles Ridley. Hikkaduwa has 60 species of coral and 170 species of coral fish, and an abundance of seaweed provides a favorable habitat for sea turtles, dugongs and some shrimp. The reef was seriously damaged both as a result of natural processes and in connection with human activities, the damage was also caused by the tsunami that occurred in 2004. Now coral reefs are gradually recovering.

In the southwestern part of Sri Lanka is the only tree massif rainforest- Sinharaja National Park, it is included in the worldwide network of biosphere reserves in 1978 and is included in the list world heritage UNESCO in 1988. Flora and fauna are rich in endemics, many of which are listed in the Red Book. The rainforest of Sinharaja is home to many reptiles, rare birds, butterflies, and, of course, mammals. Among them are leopard, Ceylon azure magpie, Ceylon starling, python and others. There are 21 species of endemic birds and several rare species of insects, reptiles and amphibians in the Sinharaja National Park.

Due to the special relationship local residents to the animals, they feel here rightful owners peacefully coexisting with man. Civilization has long reached the island, the country is actively developing a transport network, new roads are being built, almost everywhere there is communication and the Internet. And yet, despite this, Sri Lanka still attracts tourists from all over the world precisely with the primordial nature of its nature, because in the savannas, river valleys, in the jungle and mountain gorges, animals, birds and insects are in charge, another life is in full swing here and dominate "laws of the jungle", and we are given a unique chance to look at it with our own eyes.

Hello, dear readers - seekers of knowledge and truth!

Sri Lanka attracts thousands of travelers. They dream of being there, but when they get there, they don't want to leave.

What is the reason? In the warm waves of the Indian Ocean, in an atmosphere entangled in historical mystery and legends, in the unique taste of Ceylon tea, or in the impenetrable jungle and its exotic inhabitants?

It is about the latter that we want to talk with you today. The animals of Sri Lanka are one of the treasures of the island. They are almost not afraid of people and live very close to them with their usual wild life.

The article below will show how diverse the fauna of the Sri Lankan island is, what inhabitants of the earth, sea and air are found here. You will find out what unusual animals are found in Sri Lanka, why they are interesting. And if you have long wanted to go on a trip, but do not dare because of possible dangers, the article will definitely be useful to you - we will tell you whether you should be afraid of dangerous animals.

fauna diversity

Sri Lanka can rightly be called a unique region, because it is home to hundreds of species of animals, birds, butterflies, insects, marine life.

More than 15 percent of all representatives of the fauna living here live only here - these are the so-called endemics.

Take a look at this impressive list of animal species for yourself:

• mammals - 90 species;
• reptiles - 170;
• amphibians - more than 100;
• birds - 225;
• fish - more than 80;
• beetles - over 3 thousand;
• butterflies - almost 250 species.

Unfortunately, at the same time, many animals are on the verge of extinction and are listed in the Red Book. These include the famous sloth bear, Sri Lankan leopard, Indian sambar deer, Sri Lankan elephant.

Animals near us

To see the animal world in Sri Lanka, you do not need to specifically look for it - it is already around. Many animals are so accustomed to people that they practically do not notice them, and sometimes they live as one big family.

There are also very nimble animals that bathe in the rays of people's love and for this they receive treats directly from their hands. This applies, of course, primarily to monkeys and chipmunks, which are also called palm squirrels.

palm squirrel

A variety of monkeys are found in the immediate vicinity of a person:

• purple-faced langurs are endemic, they can be recognized by their bright red muzzles;
• gray langurs - they are also called "Hanuman" in honor of the monkey-faced god Hanuman;
• purple langurs;
• loris - small nocturnal animals, the Sri Lankans call them "unahapuluva" in their own way;
• macaques - they wear a red-brown skin with a white spot on the stomach, the locals call them "rilavu".

Both monkeys and squirrels can sometimes be very arrogant: there have been cases when they climbed into tourists' bags, took away food, or even stole valuables. It's funny, but you should be more careful with them so as not to become a victim of an exotic pickpocket.

gray langur

Almost all tourist spots offer elephant trekking or bathing. Black, gray, brownish, they are everywhere here, because elephants are considered sacred animals in Sri Lanka and India.

Walking along the street during the day, you can see flying foxes sleeping upside down on trees and wires. They are much larger bats, have a reddish color and, when sleeping, are covered with black wings, like cloaks. Although they can be frightening in appearance, they are not at all scary to humans.

flying fox

Also during the day you can meet mongooses - predators similar to large ferrets, geckos, striped monitor lizards.

Mongoose

On some beaches there is a great opportunity to see turtles, touch them, and some lucky ones even manage to swim with them.

Turtles on the beaches of Sri Lanka

More and more entertainment is gaining momentum, which is called the buzzword "birdwatching". In order to see different parrots, herons, cormorants, flamingos and small unknown birds, people buy excursions. However, some birds can be seen and heard for free, such as ravens, toucans and handsome peacocks.

Flamingos in Kumana National Park

Another impressive sight in the “blessed land”, as Sri Lanka translates, is the flight of butterflies. In March-April, they migrate, and you can admire the whole variety of these creatures.

And the most frequent guests on the territory of people are all kinds of insects. Huge size beetles, spiders, ants, cockroaches are found on the streets, in houses and hotel rooms.

Probably, meeting with them does not seem desirable for many, but at the same time, all animals do not pose a danger to people. The main rule of communication with local animals is to be careful and try not to touch them, limiting yourself to simple photography so as not to cause trouble for yourself and the animals themselves.

Animals in the wild

You can touch the wild nature in Sri Lanka not only on a multi-day trip through the impenetrable jungle. To do this, there are numerous protected areas and reserves. These include, for example, the Yala National Park in the province of Uva, the Habarana Nature Reserve near Sigiriya, or the Dehiwala Zoo.

Leopard in Yala park

Wild animals live here in their usual habitat: rare Sri Lankan leopards, of which there are only 600, porcupines, spotted deer, wild boars, whole herds of good-natured elephants. But, perhaps, the main curiosity of these open spaces is the Ceylon bear.

It doesn't look at all like what we are used to. brown bear. It has a dark color with a light spot on the muzzle, similar to a mask. The mouth of the Ceylon bear is somewhat similar to the trunk - its lips are very mobile, therefore, the people call the bears "lippers".

Ceylon bear

Sloths eat ants and termites, ruining their homes. For this, they also received the nickname "anteater bears." At the same time, they are not capable of harming a person, although no one has yet canceled the precautionary measures.

Immersion in Ceylon reality will be deeper in the forests. But you need to prepare thoroughly for such trips: wear closed clothes made of thick fabric, waterproof shoes, socks, and a hat.

Sinharaja rainforest

The thing is that here, especially in the rainy season, snakes are found: from harmless whipworms to life-threatening cobras or Russell's vipers. Leeches up to five centimeters in size are found right there on the trees - they are not so much dangerous as unpleasant, because the wounds from them heal for a long time. In addition, you can see ticks, spiders, scalapendras, scorpions, which can scare you with just their appearance.

But do not be afraid of all sorts of "horror stories" - although poisonous animals are found in Sri Lanka, they are far from human habitats. In addition, they themselves try not to catch the eye of a person. If a person does not become a provocateur, animals do not have to defend themselves, so cases of attacks on people are very rare.

If you encounter a snake while traveling, stop, freeze, without making any sound. Then gradually step back, but do not turn your back on the snake.

“Are there crocodiles, sharks, mosquitoes?” - you ask. We answer yes, but...

Swamp crocodiles do exist and reach eight meters in length, but they live far from human settlements. So, if you don’t specifically climb into the water under prohibition signs, then you are not in danger.

There are sharks in the sea too. But these are nurse sharks and reef sharks a little over a meter in size. They are not dangerous to people, besides they swim far from the shore.

nurse shark

Terrible mosquitoes in the form of malarial mosquitoes are also nothing more than an invented fear. In the tourist area, the air is treated with repellents in such a way that even ordinary mosquitoes are practically absent.

Conclusion

Animal world Sri Lanka is beautiful and wonderful. It helps to feel unity with nature, reminding us that we are all brothers. But do not forget that animals are by nature wild creatures that need freedom. Follow the precautionary rules, and you will feel harmony with the surrounding world of this country.

Thank you very much for your attention, dear readers! May all your journeys be fulfilled. Support the blog - share the article in in social networks if you like it, and let's search for the truth together.

Despite the developed Agriculture- In Sri Lanka, it was possible to preserve, almost intact, entire oases of wildlife. Such national reserves on island 20. Endemics live on their territory, as well as endangered and not very animals and insects. Moreover, they all live in close proximity to humans. Many hotels are organically integrated into the structure of the reserve. In general, the inhabitants of the jungle flicker here and there throughout Sri Lanka. For this we love her.

Sri Lanka is an island where elephants walk the streets - like our dogs, for example. Or they live in families on the plains and in the jungles of Sri Lanka. This is a special kind of Sri Lankan Asian elephant - his forehead is in the form of two domes. And the ears are very small.

Wild elephants can be seen in Yala Park in the province of Uva or in the Habarana Reserve - this is not far from Sigiriya. In Habarana, you can even swim on an elephant in the lake, where water lilies grow and turtles live. This is so cool.

For those who need even closer contact with elephants - for example, children, we suggest visiting the Pinnawala nursery - where the elephants are completely tame. For $ 10 there you can squeeze elephants all day long, and watch them swim in the river and eat.

You can meet an elephant just near the road. But you need to carefully look at his behavior - if he turns his ears back and raises his trunk, or trumpets angrily - this means he is not happy with you. Then it's better to leave. Angry elephants can rock and even overturn a jeep.

For those who are more comfortable keeping their distance, the Dehiwala Zoo is suitable. The second largest zoo in Asia is located near Colombo. There every day elephants show their dance show. In addition to them, pygmy hippos live in this huge park, sea ​​lions. African lions, ostriches, rare species bears, giraffes and many more different animals and birds on the little things.

Almost elusive for tourists, but not for poachers, endangered Sri Lankan leopards live in Sri Lanka. Here is the birthplace of the Sri Lankan leopard - and tourists with guides spend the whole night chasing him on a photo hunt. But taking a picture is more often obtained with the help of a photo trap.

The second powerful herbivore of the island is the wild water buffalo. It seems to be nothing unusual - but this bull weighs more than a ton and has a spread of horns 2 meters long. And this is a real wild animal - and not a domesticated mix, of which there are many around the world.Water buffalo can be seen in the national parks of Yala, Udawalawe and Wasgamuwa.

In the dense greenery of Sri Lanka, several species of deer graze, including the disappearing king of deer - Zambar. They are difficult to see during the day - they graze at night, and at this time of day they can be found with the help of a lantern on a night safari.

Sri Lankan bear is very cute. There is a mask on his muzzle. He destroys anthills and termite mounds, for which he was nicknamed the anteater bear, or sloth. It is best to track him down at night in Udawalawa and Yala Park - you can find him by the grunt he makes. It is harmless to humans. But you don’t need to get close - like any wild animal.

In addition, more common animal species live in Sri Lanka: several types of wild cats, otters, and mongooses. The latter, in other matters, belong to the category of legendary, for their ability to quickly fight with poisonous snake. It is considered a special success to see this fight, the lucky ones manage to film it.

And if you raise your head higher in the jungle, you can find many squirrels, monkeys and lemurs, including the famous loris with huge eyes.

AT warm waters The ocean that washes Sri Lanka is home to a huge number of dolphins. And in the south and southeast, blue whales migrate from November to April. If you're lucky, you can see an absolutely fantastic sight. About 10 huge whales in one place.

There are also many turtles on the coast of Sri Lanka. Some of them even become the "trick" of the hotel or the beach - they are given names, and tourists have an additional entertainment - to collect algae in order to feed the giant reptiles later. Or - if you're lucky - watch the birth of baby turtles.

Turtles are among the TOP FIVE of the most popular inhabitants of Sri Lanka - which you will meet in any reserve without any effort. The remaining 4 positions are occupied by monkeys, chipmunks, peacocks and buffaloes. They are just everywhere!

It is not only rich, but also diverse, and also amazing. The whole island can be called one big nature reserve, where hunting for animals is prohibited. Local residents live in unity with nature.
One of clear examples the contact between man and nature is Yala Park, located on the coast of the Indian Ocean in the southeast of Sri Lanka. This is the best place to see all the beauty of wildlife and watch a variety of animals. You will see their behavior in the wild, the attitude of adult animals to their cubs and much more, which cannot be described in words.
Mineria Park is located around the Polonnaruwa reservoir. Due to the sufficient amount of water, there is a very rich vegetable world, and accordingly there is a lot of water and food for animals, in addition, they have a place to hide here, so many animals have chosen this secluded place. Only over 200 elephants live in this park! Although the territory of the park itself is small.
Bundala is another amazing area in its own way. It differs from others in that there are lagoons, near which more than 20 thousand migratory birds prefer to rest and eat. Sea turtles lay their eggs on the local sand dunes. And in the thorny thickets of bushes, elephants, wild buffaloes and deer freely walk.
In Sri Lanka, there was also a forest untouched by man - Sinharaja. Here everything looks like it was created by nature itself, i.e. The forest is in its original state. Therefore, do not leave Sinharaja without your attention, be sure to set aside time in your schedule to visit the virgin forest.
In 1975, the largest elephant nursery was opened in Pinnawala. All elephants who have lost their parents or those who have suffered at the hands of poachers are brought here. In the nursery, babies are taught the necessary skills to work in Ceylon, and some are sent to zoos in different corners peace. By visiting the nursery, you can see the process of learning with your own eyes or even see how the smallest ones are fed with milk from a bottle.
Five species of sea turtles live on the coast of Kozgoda. Here you will see not only adult inhabitants of large sizes, but also very tiny, just hatched turtles.
In addition to the well-known elephants, a lot of other animals can be found on the island. Leopards, lynxes, panthers, wild cats, jackals, 5 species of monkeys and even large Ceylon bears live here. And you can also see many different lizards, snakes, crocodiles, weavers, monitor lizards and wild boars. There are also many birds here. The most beautiful of them are parrots of all kinds of colorful colors, flamingos, peacocks and storks.
The Ceylon bear is not the same as the brown bear, it is distinguished by its mouth, which resembles a bit of a trunk. The lips are long and mobile, because of them the local bears are called "slugs". And besides the monkeys that jump everywhere and often sit on the trees near the huts, flying dogs, squirrels, and foxes also hang on the branches. They cling to the branches with their paws and hang upside down, like bats. Sometimes you can see branches hung with whole clusters of unusual animals. This spectacle, although terrifying in appearance, is not dangerous.
Crocodiles settled in the rivers, located far from the villages. The size of the local crocodiles reach 8 meters. Swimming in these rivers is strictly prohibited. A lot of dangerous poisonous snakes live here, the cobra and tikpalonga are considered the most terrible of them.
Insects have also chosen the island. Several species of butterflies, ants, termites, as well as malarial mosquitoes and other species of insects live here.
The island is just full of exotic animals. Walking through the forests, you will see that chameleons are sitting on literally every tree, merging in color with the foliage of the trees. And monitor lizards swim in the rivers, which, due to inexperience, can be confused with crocodiles. And of course, you will certainly be surprised by chipmunks, who not only beg for food from visiting tourists, but also brazenly climb into bags to feast on something tasty. Turtles crawl lazily along the beach sands. And when you approach the hut, do not be surprised if it is guarded by people who are not familiar to us. watchdogs and porcupines!
Also keep an eye on your belongings when monkeys are near you. They can steal something in a second, and if you try to drive her away, she may even throw herself at you. They are very arrogant here and are not afraid of anything at all.
Elephants are the symbol of Sri Lanka. They come in different colors - gray, black and gray-brown. An elephant safari is something without which it is impossible to leave Sri Lanka. it business card Ceylon. Do not deny yourself this great pleasure! Astride an elephant, you will make your way through the thickets of vines, move through the swamps and see many interesting animals that you will not be able to see otherwise.
Despite the abundant world of wild animals, there are also many domestic animals such as cows, goats, chickens, pigs, cats and dogs. You will certainly be struck by the fact that the cows here, however, like the rest of the animals are very thin. The ribs are glowing! But this is not surprising, since the locals themselves (the Sri Lankans) are short, black and very thin. It even looks like they dried in the sun. Although, in fairness, it is worth noting that the Sri Lankans are very kind to their livestock.
Dogs are also common here, they can be found anywhere. The Sri Lankans do not consider them their friends, but simply live as if they do not notice them at all. We can say that they live separately from each other.
Sri Lankan dogs are friendly and will not refuse a treat if you offer them. And they will even be happy if you stroke or scratch them. But do not forget that these are, first of all, animals that are not accustomed to affection, and whose reaction cannot always be predicted, so be careful. And do not allow children to stroke dogs at all.
When night falls on the ground, friendly daytime dogs turn into watchdogs. Therefore, be extremely careful during night walks. If a pack of dogs is running at you with loud barking, wave your hand at them, it will scare them away. With all the indifference of the Sri Lankans to dogs with recently rich people of Ceylon began to show interest in dog breeds and even get a dog they liked. Therefore, if you see a thoroughbred well-groomed dog, this directly speaks of the well-being of its owner and high social position in society. Dalmatians enjoy special authority among the local rich.
In the seas and rivers, a rich underwater world is a variety of fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. And if you can’t decide where you would go on vacation, don’t hesitate! There is something to see here. Undersea world You will be surprised, and the animal will simply shock you! Being alone with nature, in the full sense of the word, you will feel like a pioneer - a person who finds himself on a desert island, where only you and nature. Although you will always be under the gaze of monkeys, chipmunks, monitor lizards, chameleons, you will still take a break from the bustle of the city and Everyday life. One day you can relax and unwind on the beach, the second you can arrange an elephant safari. If you want to get to know Ceylon and the local culture better, you can visit tea plantations, spice gardens, see how elephants help the locals to work. Also go on excursions to local attractions, there are more than enough of them here.
In addition, you will be able to get acquainted with the relationship of wild animals with each other, their attitude towards domestic animals, and also see the interaction between man and animal, which is extremely interesting.
Even those animals that we have seen more than once in zoos or on TV screens look completely different here. They do not feel like slaves, but full-fledged residents. And you already feel like you are visiting them here.
Whatever way of rest you choose - active or passive, in any case without a lot of impressions and positive emotions You can't leave here! Therefore, stock up on cameras, camcorders and forward towards the unknown, but such an alluring world of the jungle!

The fauna of Sri Lanka is quite numerous and very diverse. On this big island you will see many interesting animals. Only mammals in Sri Lanka are about 90 species, including deer, wild pigs and other animals that can be found in forests and savannahs in large numbers. Even a meeting with a leopard in Sri Lanka is very likely. For example, in some protected areas, such as Wilpatte or Yala National Park, there is an impressive population of these big cats. In total, about 600 leopards live in Sri Lanka today. The population of elephants on the island is also large, but due to the fact that their habitat has been significantly reduced in last years The elephant population is gradually declining. The elephant is probably one of the most impressive animals on the island. In various national parks, large herds of elephants can still be seen passing through the countryside.
In this article we will talk about the most famous and interesting animals in Sri Lanka, provide photos of some of these animals and tell a lot of interesting things about the fauna of the island.

Wildlife of Sri Lanka

Typical representatives of the animal world of Sri Lanka are also porcupine, wild boar and sloth bear. There are also many types of monkeys, including macaques. Among the monkey species endemic to this island are the baraffe and blattaffe, which can be identified by their bright red face.
In general, animals in Sri Lanka are rather modest and shy, but there are also animals that are not afraid of humans and therefore are relatively common. These are, for example, geckos, which can be seen almost anywhere. The local population is so accustomed to this reptile that they do not even pay attention to it. There are many other types of reptiles, including those found exclusively in Sri Lanka, such as the swamp crocodile. In addition, a huge number of turtles and snakes live on the island. As you know, 83 species of snakes live in Sri Lanka, among which there are poisonous ones, including the cobra.

Birds in Sri Lanka

The bird population in Sri Lanka is very diverse, as on an island surrounded by Indian Ocean, inhabited by 427 species of birds. Here you can see herons of various sizes, crows, parrots, flamingos, cormorants and many other birds.
Birds in Sri Lanka are so diverse and interesting that many tourists even go on special bird watching tours. Sometimes such excursions last not one, but two or more days.

Fish in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is rich in fish and amphibians. It's not about sea ​​creatures, namely about freshwater fish. As you know, 54 species of fish and 38 different amphibians live in the waters of Sri Lanka. Many fish are very attractive and impressive with their colorful designs, which is why they are popular as aquarium fish in other parts of the world.
Some types of fish in Sri Lanka did not originally exist, but were brought by the British from Europe. Thus, one should not be surprised at the presence of trout in the rivers of the island. This fish feels quite comfortable in the clear waters of the local rivers.

Butterflies in Sri Lanka

The butterfly population in Sri Lanka is also extremely diverse. This island is known for its colorful butterflies. Of the approximately 240 butterfly species, most live in the lower regions. highlands. The annual butterfly migration in Sri Lanka is a unique and delightful sight. Insects fly during March and April on Samanala Kandu, the so-called mountain of butterflies.

Monkeys in Sri Lanka

Whether we accept the theory of evolution or not, apes are closest to humans in the evolutionary tree. Their behavior and comical facial expressions remind us of many of our moods. From the suburbs of Colombo to the most remote parts of Sri Lanka, you will be able to spot different types of monkeys, the most common of which are macaques. Other interesting monkeys in Sri Lanka: Hanuman's langur (aka gray langur), purple lagur and slender lorises, rare and hard to spot due to their nocturnal nature. Monkeys in Sri Lanka are commonly referred to as "Wanduroo", macaques as "Rilawa", and lorises as "Unahapuluwa".
The macaque is Sri Lanka's most common primate and is evenly distributed throughout the island from the coastal plains to the central hills. The macaque is a reddish brown monkey with a whitish underbelly.
Hanuman Langur is a monkey that is widespread in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma and Sri Lanka and is named after the Indian Hindu monkey god Hanuman, immortalized in the Ramayana epic. The fur color of this monkey ranges from gray to dark brown. Usually these monkeys can be seen in a group of ten to thirty individuals, and sometimes in large numbers. These groups are often accompanied by a large dominant and aggressive male.

Crocodiles in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, all crocodiles are called "Kimbula". As we have already said, this island is inhabited by the swamp crocodile, which is very fond of swampy surroundings, where it digs holes to create shelters. This crocodile is on the red list of endangered species. Adult crocodiles are brown or blackish gray in color, while young crocodiles are usually pale olive in color with black stripes all over their bodies.
Crocodile Mugger (another name for the swamp crocodile) looks like an alligator in appearance and has a wide muzzle about 0.5 meters long. Its head is rough without any ridges, and its jaw contains 19 upper teeth on each side. The limbs are protected by keeled scales, and a jagged fringe is visible on the outer edge of each leg.
The Mugger crocodile is known to migrate long distances in search of food and water or new environment a habitat. In Sri Lanka, the swamp crocodile usually lives along an extensive river network, irrigation canals, lakes and estuaries. Mugger is very common in Yala National Park, as there are about 500 individuals. Crocodile attacks on people have not been recorded in the national park, although there are frequent attacks of crocodiles on local residents on the Nilwala River. True, in all cases they occurred due to an encroachment on the habitat of crocodiles or because of the negligence of people.

Turtles in Sri Lanka

monitor lizards in sri lanka

There are quite a lot of lizards on the island, including monitor lizards, the size of which can reach two meters. Not every adult can not always remain calm if he sees a 2-meter monitor lizard in front of him. In general, monitor lizards in Sri Lanka, as in any other country in the world, are not aggressive, and do not particularly seek to meet people. However, in some cases monitor lizards can attack a person, especially if a person provokes this animal. By itself, the bite of a monitor lizard is not dangerous, but the teeth of this lizard can have a huge amount of bacteria. Therefore, if you do not immediately treat the wound, then the wound will hurt and fester very much.
But still, we note once again that monitor lizards will attack a person only in those cases when they simply have no choice.

Palm squirrels (chipmunks) in Sri Lanka

There are three types of palm squirrels in Sri Lanka: white striped squirrel, called Vana Lena or Mukalan Lena in Sinhala and Karapu Anil in Tamil, palm squirrel called Iri Lena in Sinhala and Sinna Anil in Tamil, and sand squirrel called Pulutu Lena or Podi Lena in Sinhala and Sinna Anil in Tamil .
The palm squirrel is the most common type of squirrel on the island. The other two species are much less common. There are four subspecies of the palm squirrel in Sri Lanka, which are found in different geographic areas of the island. One of the subspecies lives in the mountains, the second - in the humid zone, and the other two in the dry zone (in the north and in the south). In most cases, these subtypes are difficult to identify unless captured.
Because of their body stripes, palm squirrels are called chipmunks in Sri Lanka. These squirrels have small ears covered with soft fur, thick tails, the length of which is approximately equal to the length of the body and head. When squatting while eating or holding something with their front paws, the squirrel's tail is held in an "S" shape.
Palm squirrels in Sri Lanka make their nests from any material they can find, including dry grass, the soft bark of some trees, wool, etc. In urban areas, they can build their nests even under the roof of some houses and in other convenient places. .
Many households in Sri Lanka, especially in rural areas, have a squirrel as a pet. Some locals have giant squirrels. Squirrels can become very tame, easily tamed, and won't leave when released from their cage.

Leeches in Sri Lanka

One of the things that keep people from visiting Sri Lanka's rainforests is the presence of small leeches in these forests. Leeches in Sri Lanka, which are only 3-5 cm long, scare some people even more than poisonous snakes or ferocious mammals.
Repellent on shoes and legs helps against leeches, but the fact is that moisture on the ground and plants will quickly wash off the repellent, and you will be left without protection. So you should take care of other methods of protection. Chief among them are special socks. This is the most effective and convenient way to avoid being bitten by leeches while trekking through the rainforests of Sri Lanka. These long fabric knee socks will not only save you from leech bites, but also effectively prevent tick bites.

Dangerous animals in Sri Lanka

Many tourists, before deciding to travel to rainforests or to other regions of Sri Lanka with an abundance of various animals, they are interested in what dangerous animals there are on this island. In fact, there are quite a lot of dangerous animals in Sri Lanka, so we advise you to always remain vigilant, even when you are on the territory of the hotel.
Remember that there are many snakes in Sri Lanka, including poisonous ones. For local residents, a snake crawling through the streets of the village is not some an unusual phenomenon, and no one scatters to the sides, no one screams. They know that even the most dangerous snake does not pose any danger to them if they do not touch it themselves. So you just need to be careful and not climb into all sorts of suspicious places.
FROM dangerous insects things are more complicated. For example, a scorpion might crawl into your shoes or hide in your clothes. This can happen even in a large hotel, not to mention bungalows located in the countryside.
Spiders, centipedes, leeches, ticks - all these insects can pose a certain danger to humans. A lethal outcome, of course, is unlikely, but health problems and severe pain are possible in case of their bites.
But not only snakes and insects can pose a danger to humans in Sri Lanka. This island is home to a large number of crocodiles, wild cats and other animals that can attack you. As a rule, such animals live in national parks or in other places far from resort areas. So, if you do not want to meet them, then you are unlikely to see them.
Do not forget that seemingly cute animals, such as dogs and monkeys, can also pose a certain danger.