Sri Lanka - ancient world With rich history and deep traditions, the world center of Buddhism with magnificent temples and palaces. The whole world knows Ceylon tea, unique Sri Lankan spices, Exotic fruits, multi-colored sapphires, magic batik and elephant nurseries.

But not only temples and palaces are the value of the island. Eternal summer reigns in Ceylon, and the feeling of a revived fairy tale does not leave for a minute, especially at night - the low dome of the night sky, close stars, which, it seems, you can reach with your hand, fireflies flying around, a thick aroma of unusual flowers and bewitching sounds, coming from the dark jungle. On this small island, several climatic zones. In just a few days you will be able to visit the impenetrable jungle, and highlands, and in the arid savannah, and on sandy beaches.

An unforgettable impression is left by the royal Botanical Garden in Kandy with its large palm avenue, orchid collection, bamboo thickets and an incredible banyan tree with a crown width of more than 100 meters. Hanging in clusters from acacias and ficuses right overhead flying foxes.

The fauna in Ceylon is very rich, and from the point of view of a resident middle lane Russia is unusual. Generally speaking, the whole island - nature reserve where hunting of animals is prohibited. More precisely, hunting is simply impossible, since Buddhism is the basis of the worldview of the islanders. And from the standpoint of this world philosophy with its doctrine of the transmigration of souls, the murder of any living being is a serious crime. Man lives here not in opposition to nature, but in unity with it. And although from a European point of view, Sri Lanka can be called a civilized world "with a stretch" - there are no wild animals hit by cars, dogs and cats that died on the highway! However, there are no high-speed tracks and crazy racers who are not interested in anything other than the ability to squeeze the most out of “car horses”. Brand new Toyotas, Nissans and Mazdas do not reach speeds above 40 km / h. The crowd on the roads is unimaginable, but there are practically no accidents, just as there is no danger for the four-legged inhabitants of the island, which every driver misses on the road.

Exotic animals are everywhere. It is worth literally taking a step away from the road - and on the branches of trees you can find chameleons almost merging with the branches. Monitor lizards swim in the rivers (very similar to crocodiles), chipmunks beg for food from tourists, climbing right into bags on the beach, turtles crawl heavily along the coastal sand, porcupines sit by the huts, like watchdogs, and geckos prey on crickets everywhere.

Well, there is nothing to say about monkeys. Things cannot be left unattended even for a second! Otherwise, they will be dragged away or torn on the spot. When you try to drive away the insolent monkey, not only will it not be frightened, but it can also rush with a whistle!

And, of course, Sri Lanka is elephants. They are smaller here than in Africa, but still impressive. Elephants can be gray, black, but more often grayish-brown, and the trunk and ears are light, darkly speckled. Elephant safari - business card Sri Lankan and at the same time an incredible pleasure. It can be described as a ride on a living all-terrain vehicle. An elephant passes through swamps overgrown with lotuses, almost completely immersed in water and breathing through a trunk exposed like a periscope. He makes his way through the thickets of vines and calmly walks along the scree. Much more can be seen from its back. beautiful views and interesting animals than from a car window. What can I say - try it yourself!

Of course, in addition to all sorts of beauties and wild animals, encountered in abundance during the trip, I was also interested in domestic animals. There are many of them in Sri Lanka. Cows, goats, pigs, chickens, cats and, of course, dogs live next to a person. Actually the "dog" world of Sri Lanka is an integral part of the local fauna. There are a lot of dogs. They peacefully coexist with pigs, elephants, monitor lizards, monkeys and all other living creatures, which are simply filled with everything around.

I must say that almost all animals in Ceylon are very thin. Cows with small udders and protruding ribs are especially striking. But the Sri Lankans themselves are small, black and thin, as if dried by the tropical sun. A white man taller than seventy meters feels like a giant here. I never managed to get used to the thinness of cows and goats, although it was evident that the attitude towards these animals in Ceylon is very caring.

As for dogs, the relationship between these numerous representatives of the animal world and people could rather be characterized as coexistence. Two different populations live side by side, on the same territory, but each has its own life. Dogs can hardly be called human friends here, they are not given any special attention, although there is no rejection either. Dogs are everywhere in Ceylon - in cities and towns, markets and bus stations, in coconut factories and near Buddhist temples. On the wastelands, not far from the villages, "no one's" dogs live in large numbers. Flocks of dogs, like flocks of crows, live in every, even the most luxurious hotel.

Usually dogs are ignored. Nobody calls them and nobody strokes them. And only occasionally you can see how a Sri Lankan friendly calls or pats the dog behind the ear and he is immediately ready to accompany this person along any route.

At first glance, Sri Lankan dogs are friendly and affectionate. Dogs willingly run up if they see that they have been paid attention, accept treats and do not mind being stroked. But at the same time, we were immediately warned that it is better not to touch the dogs. For all their loyalty, there is no question of predictability. Any of the dogs, if it considers the behavior of a person intrusive, at any moment can snap and even rush. Moreover, the reason for this may be minimal. Aboriginal dogs will never pounce “for no reason at all”, but the principle “you are on your own, and we are on our own” is 100% valid here. In addition, no one cares about vaccinating a large livestock, and therefore every bite is fraught with consequences.

Nevertheless, if the daytime behavior of Sri Lankan dogs in relation to strangers can be called indifferent and benevolent, then at night they turn from imposing sloths into vigilant watchmen. As soon as night falls on the village and it becomes a little cooler, the dogs “take over the post”. A night walk around the village will be accompanied by dog ​​polyphony, at any moment a pack with unambiguous intentions can fly out of the yard. Some try to attack from behind. It is enough just to swing at them - they immediately bounce off and keep at a distance, but after such meetings, the desire to take a walk at night disappears.

But wealthy people began to show interest in purebred dogs. A thoroughbred dog in Ceylon is certainly a sign of high social status. We were convinced of this when we looked at the footage of the day one evening. On the camera, in addition to pictures of elephants and monitor lizards, there were home photographs of a Dalmatian owned by the owner of the camera. In the conversation, we touched on the topic of dogs, and this was the only case when the Sri Lankan hotel staff unexpectedly joined the conversation. Photos of the dog (the usual homemade photos of a non-show representative of its breed) passed from hand to hand. The Sri Lankans clicked their tongues and enthusiastically praised the dog, all the while wondering who its owner was. His rating has gone up by an order of magnitude! Why - he is so wealthy that he even spends money on the maintenance of such an exotic dog!

These are the contrasts. Semi-stray, unvaccinated dog population and at the same time complete absence cruelty to dogs. Packs of unnecessary local dogs and a reverent attitude towards a thoroughbred European. As usual, the attitude towards dogs is an exact cross-section of relations in society and the relationship of people to each other.

But dogs will not prevent you from having a great vacation in Sri Lanka, and if you are still thinking about where to spend your vacation, go to Ceylon. Where there is no winter, where you will meet warm ocean and bright stars, where monitor lizards and elephants roam along the road, and dogs, perhaps, are our new reincarnation ...

Source: http://sri-lanka.obnovlenie.ru/article/2443/.

sri lanka animal world

Articles about countries Wildlife of Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is one of the islands located in the Indian Ocean. The fauna of Ceylon (the old name of Sri Lanka) is very similar to the world of South India. 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 the clearest examples of the contact between man and nature is Yala Park, located on the coast of the Indian Ocean in the southeast of Sri Lanka. It is here that you can see all the beauty in the best possible way. wildlife and observe 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. Thanks 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, kids are taught 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 boar. 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 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, also live here. malarial mosquitoes and other types of insects.

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 not by the usual watchdogs, but by 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.

A very sad and shocking incident happened in Sri Lanka the other day.
In Arugam Bay, a crocodile attacked a tourist🐊. Everything happened instantly in front of his friends. The body of a 25-year-old Englishman was fished out of the mud the same day. This is a shock!😱😱😱 This is Sri Lanka, guys. Nowadays! They say that Sri Lanka is a country of absolute exoticism. I think that is a very appropriate description. Sri Lanka is a very vibrant and wild country. It is completely different than Russia or any other country. And just because you, as a person who, for the first time in this country, may not see real threats where they exist, or consider the warnings of local people as unnecessary fantasies.
I would advise you to listen very carefully to the locals and, if possible, follow their advice regarding your safety.
It happens that tourists, on the contrary, are afraid of what is safe. Do not be paranoid and afraid to go to Sri Lanka. If you follow my advice, then Sri Lanka will be a safe country for you. Theft or some other trouble can happen in any country (even in Europe). The reason for this is either your carelessness or chance.

So, I repeat my last year's note:

Before the season, I want to warn tourists about the dangers that may lie in wait for them in Sri Lanka. In general, I think that Sri Lanka is quite safe for a tourist. But I think I have to warn you about some things.
"Forewarned is forearmed" right?

❗1⃣1. As an experienced traveler, I can say that everywhere and always the most dangerous thing is people. And Sri is no exception. The second thing I can note from my experience: watch how the locals do it and do the same ...
👉 A) anxious. You need to understand what country you are going to. The locals are quite modest (notorious people). The girls don't go alone here. Bathe in clothes. Most often chaste before marriage. And guys are often sexually unsatisfied. For the sake of your comfort and safety, it is better not to attract even more attention from local men (you are guaranteed attention anyway, since you are white). No, we are not in India. Violence is rare here. But wankers meet ...
Here are my recommendations for girls:
— ☝️ do not wear swimsuits and pareos outside the beach;
- ☝️ do not sunbathe topless (even in a super-tourist place);
- ☝️ thongs are undesirable;
- ☝️ if you are relaxing in a non-tourist sparsely populated beach - always take a man with you to the beach (husband, boyfriend, brother, just a tourist and a roommate - it doesn’t matter);
- ☝️ if you live in a village (that is, not very tourist place) - always go with someone;
— ☝️ do not make friends with the locals. No matter how "friendly" they seem. Don't go to their house for a dinner party alone.
- ☝️ do not hang out at a party where most of the locals;
- ☝️ don't be too friendly with the local beachboys;
— ☝️ do not smoke or drink with locals;
— ☝️ night outings only in the company of your men (or a large company);
- ☝️next to the Sri Lankans it is better not to swim. In general, the strategy of behavior is approximately clear?! ... I also warn parents. Do not let a minor child go anywhere alone. He should always be in your sight.
👉B) robberies. The fact that you can be cheated here and not given change is normal and should not be a surprise to you. Open robbery with an attack is a rare occurrence here. Nevertheless, the Sri Lankans are cowardly and only drug addicts go for this. Taking a quiet out of a hotel that is unattended - it can happen. Just like in any other country, be vigilant, do not relax. Do not walk at night waving a loot in a deserted place😀))). Don't tempt fate. Do not leave the doors and windows to your room open during the day when you are not in the room, or at night when you are sleeping.

❗2⃣2. In second place in terms of danger is the ocean🌊🌊🌊. Look at the locals how they bathe and you will understand how dangerous this element is. Don't mess with the ocean. Don't underestimate him. This is not a sea or a lake. Be careful.
Here are my recommendations:
- ☝️swim under the supervision of someone on the shore;
— ☝️ do not swim far;
— ☝️ google what a “rip current” or “rip current” is and what to do if you find yourself in it; ☝️ if you climbed onto a boulder that waves beat on (we have such on Perot rock), do not come close to the edge, as you can be washed away by a wave;
— ☝️ do not climb on stones protruding from the water;
- Do not walk on rocks in the water. There are many prickly poisonous sea ​​urchins. Walk on the sand;
- ☝️surf and jump on big waves not the safest thing to do (just keep that in mind and be careful).

❗3⃣3. Road🚀. The first thing to remember is that Sri Lanka drives on the left side of the road. Therefore, when you go out on the road, first look to the right, then to the left 👀. At first, the head on the machine turns in the other direction. The traffic here is without rules and very active. If you are a pedestrian, cross the road carefully. Zebra does not guarantee you anything. They rarely stop and miss. Beware of the buses! If you are on a moped/car, there are two rules: 1 miss the bus, 2 you overtake - signal📣📣📣. And in general, your presence on the road should be indicated by signals as actively as possible. Be mentally prepared to meet the oncoming bus. Unexpectedly, going around in an oncoming lane anywhere is in the order of things here. Also, if you are on a bike, you must wear a helmet. This is not only about security. Without a helmet, you are guaranteed to be in trouble with the police. In general, it seems to me that it is better to entrust the driving of transport to the locals (to ride a tuk-tak or a taxi).
❗4⃣4. Coconuts. Before you lie down under a palm tree in the shade, look up. It's not worth the risk if there are coconuts on the palm tree.
❗5⃣5. Animals and insects are not dangerous here (except for crocodiles🙈)! Well, if you do not try to catch the monitor lizard by the tail, and squeeze the squirrels in your arms. Only local dogs can bark. In this case, just take a stick or stone in your hand, shoot them, shout "paleyyan!" and they will run away. About monkeys! Better not to feed them. Especially if you rent a house without owners. Monkeys are very arrogant people. If they detect that you have something to eat. And you can’t, like a Sri Lankan, mark your territory with a monkey howl. It is quite possible that monkeys will settle in your house. And they will take out all the products along with the refrigerator. If you do not know how to behave with monkeys, it is better not to feed them.
❗6⃣6. Remembering the story of the crocodile🐊... The conclusion is this: do not get close to fresh water.
❗7⃣7. Elephants🐘. There are many wild elephants in Sri Lanka. You can see them not only in the reserves, but also in the center of the island on the road. It will be great luck to meet an elephant. But do not get out of the car and try to feed the elephant. It is not safe. Don't drive close to a wild elephant.
❗8⃣8. In the season there are days when a lot of jellyfish swim up to the shore. Such days are rare. Maybe once a month. You will probably learn from the locals that today is such a day. They always warn tourists. Sri Lankan jellyfish are not like the Black Sea ones. They are much more poisonous. It can be seen from them. The burn from such a jellyfish is not fatal, but it is better not to meet them in the ocean.
❗9⃣9. Be sure to grab hydrogen peroxide and antiseptic creams. Because of the climate here, any combed mosquito bite can flare up quickly. So you need to take action quickly.
❗10⃣10. About local food. Contrary to the common belief that you can get food poisoning in Sri Lanka, this is absolutely not the case. In Sri Lanka they cook in front of you, everything is fresh. It is not customary to leave cooked food in the refrigerator. If you are still afraid for your gastrointestinal tract, I advise you to choose a cafe where they cook in front of you behind a glass partition.

I hope this information will save someone in the upcoming season in Sri Lanka.
The last tip is to smile more and enjoy the rest))

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, elephants show their dance show every day. 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 buffaloes can be seen in national parks 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 species 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 "chip" 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!


In no other country have we seen so many animals as in Sri Lanka. There are not just a lot of them, there are a lot of them. And you don't have to go and pay money to zoos or nurseries. We saw animals everywhere in this green country, and they surrounded us every day. Today I will tell you what animals we saw in Sri Lanka in the wild, not counting reserves and zoos.

Chipmunks or palm squirrels

Elusive fugitives. Constantly on the move. The first nights in Sri Lanka were unusual for us to sleep, they rushed so loudly on the roof. At first we thought they were rats, until one morning Slava caught this rodent on a pole in the camera lens.

Pictured: Chipmunks in Sri Lanka

Chipmunks deftly run along the wires

Stomp on the roofs like elephants

Later, the owner of the guesthouse explained to us that the chipmunks in the house - good sign. They feed on insects and catch all living creatures so carefully that they don’t even need to process the house with anything. Several times a week the chipmunks came to our guesthouse and put on a show. They jumped on the wires, jumped from one floor to another, ran across the balconies, but they didn’t fall into our hands, no matter how hard we tried to lure them.

  • Read:



What do we have for lunch today? Rice again?

Video: Chipmunks of Sri Lanka

mongoose

We have never seen these predators live before and at first we even thought they were ferrets. Some giant ferrets. Later found out who they really are. It is not easy to catch them, they run fast and are afraid of people.

  • Now they are reading:


Who is there?!

Most often we watched them from the window of our dwelling on the 3rd floor. Once we were lucky and we photographed this animal with a baby. Mongooses, like monkeys, also lived near our house.


Something screams at the child

Wet mongoose after rain

Monkeys and marmosets

Where do without them. Exotics came to our area every day and jumped through the trees, surrounding our guesthouse.

  • Healthy:



They impressed us so much that we published a separate article

In addition to the big black monkeys, ordinary macaques live in Sri Lanka. In Unawatuna, the easiest way to meet them is on the beach. There are a lot of them and they are already used to people.


Beauty is a terrible force

Flying foxes or flying dogs

These animals should not be confused with bats, since the size and appearance they are completely different.

  • Read also:

During daylight hours, flying foxes sleep. They hang upside down from tree branches or wires. As if covered with a blanket. We also saw them only in Sri Lanka and in the city. These giants fly around the city in evening time days, they can easily fly over your pool to take a sip of some water.


Video: flying dogs

striped monitor lizards

Where can I order a transfer from the airport?

We use the service - Kiwi Taxi
Ordered a taxi online, paid by card. We were greeted at the airport with a sign with our name on it. We were taken to the hotel in a comfortable car. You have already talked about your experience in this article.

The monitor lizards here are also of impressive size. We first met them when we walked along the narrow streets where the locals live. Seeing one such huge lizard in the water, we got scared, we thought it was a crocodile.

  • It is interesting:


And another one of these monitor lizards was walking on the grass, noticing us, he did not even run away. They bypass people, but at the same time they are not afraid of the human presence.



Some Sri Lankans simply call them "big monitor". And our French friends called them "komodo monitor lizard". Apparently, by analogy with the Indonesian island of Pulau Komodo. In English monitor lizard. Large monitor lizards can be dangerous to humans, so we do not recommend getting close to them.

Video about monitor lizards

geckos

Geckos live in many countries. And in Sri Lanka, of course, too. I won't say that there are a lot of them, but sometimes there are.



Turtles

In Sri Lanka, there are many nature reserves, nurseries, turtle farms. The Sri Lankans treat them favorably. And for free you can touch a big turtle in the sea.

  • Interesting article:


frogs

Symphonies from the cries of frogs we listened to regularly. Especially on rainy days. When we lived in Hikkaduwa, the same frog came to our terrace every evening and did not want to leave for a long time.


elephants

In Hikkaduwa, to see an elephant, you just need to go to the beach more often. Wedding ceremonies in Sri Lanka are becoming more popular every year, European newlyweds order an elephant for beautiful and non-standard photo shoots. Most elephants in Pinnawala, where you can watch them bathe in the river.

  • Read:

Elephants are not uncommon not only in Hikkaduwa, but also in Kandy.


You walk around the city, and here it is!

Dogs

As in any Asian country, there are plenty of dogs in Sri Lanka. During the day they rest freely in the shade, and in the evening vigilance will not hurt. From cute dogs, they turn into predators and will not miss the opportunity to bark at you.



Those dogs that belong to cafes are well-fed


Came to meet the sunset and see off this day

cats

In almost any nook and cranny, one or two cats, but you will meet on your way. Sri Lankans treat cats coldly and even irritably. They kick them out of their homes. Therefore, mostly cats here are stray and frightened.

We managed to tame one scared cat that lived near our guesthouse. This cat was given a name - Oralka. She constantly screams until you shut her mouth with food. We fed her on the street, and then after a couple of weeks she herself came to our guest house and even allowed herself to be stroked. We taught her not to be afraid of people and fed her every time she secretly managed to get up to our floor.


Do not drink milk - let me yell


The unlucky husband of our oralka

Peacocks

Often we heard the sounds of peacocks and could not understand where they came from. They thought that the peacock lives in a cage in some hotel nearby. Until one morning we saw this handsome man on the roof of a neighboring house. I don’t know how they manage to live among people, but the fact remains. Peacocks in Sri Lanka move freely.


Video: wild peacock on the roof

A few more words about birds

There are many varieties of birds in the country. Instead of pigeons and sparrows, some bright and colorful birds fly in Sri Lanka, which we have not seen anywhere else.


Lankan sparrow?



light green parrot


Raven what?

Insects and spiders

There are no insects in Sri Lanka. Large and small flying cockroaches, ants, large, many mosquitoes, spiders of various calibers. If in expensive hotels they clean and poison insects, then in budget guest houses they can save on this. In our economy, apparently, they hoped for chipmunks. Therefore, every day we got acquainted with the newly arrived spiders and bugs, and in the kitchen we hid all the products from ants in the refrigerator.

Such huge spider seen several times. And one day he settled in our room. Slava could not catch him for a week, it was scary to sleep, but then the spider got caught in the bathroom.

And this gilded and harmless-looking baby knows how to jump. When we were shooting him, he attacked the lens. Slava almost dropped the camera out of surprise.

The animal world of Sri Lanka does not end there. This country has stored up many more animals, and we have described only what we ourselves saw. Moreover, we did not specifically go on a photo hunt in search of animals, but only filmed those whom we saw by chance. You can also look at other wild animals and birds in the national. I am sure that if we stayed for a couple more months, this decent list would be replenished twice more. After all, we were only in the south of the island, and in another part of the country, other animals probably live.

The fauna of Sri Lanka is quite numerous and very diverse. On this large 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 quantities. Even a meeting with a leopard in Sri Lanka is very likely. For example, in some protected areas such as Wilpatte or national park Yala, 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 you 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 427 species of birds live on an island surrounded by the Indian Ocean. 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 excursions. 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 can spot monkeys different types, the most common of which are macaques. Other interesting monkeys in Sri Lanka are Hanuman's langur (aka gray langur), purple lagur and 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 marshy 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) is similar to 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 has been known to migrate long distances in search of food and water or a new 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 the Nilwala River. local residents. 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

Sea turtles are among the oldest creatures living in our planet's waters and have remained virtually unchanged for 110 million years. These ancient sea nomads, however, face an uncertain future due to habitat destruction and being accidentally caught in fishing gear. Until recently, the study of the sea turtle has focused on the nesting of females and chicks, as they are the easiest to spot and observe. Sea turtles are air-breathing reptiles that are superbly adapted to marine life, however, they cannot retract their head and limbs like other turtles and freshwater terrapins. hydrodynamic form, big sizes and powerful winged front flippers allow them to dive deep and swim great distances without having to land. In fact, they almost never come ashore except when they are laying eggs.
In the early 1990s, Sri Lanka launched awareness campaigns about sea ​​turtles, and many conservation efforts have been directed to locations around major resorts. Of eight known species turtles living in the oceans, five species are found in Sri Lanka, where they lay their eggs in many places around the island.

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, the white striped squirrel called Vana Lena or Mukalan Lena in Sinhala and Karapu Anil in Tamil, the palm squirrel called Iri Lena in Sinhalese and Sinna Anil in Tamil, and the 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 rainforest Sri Lanka, 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. On this island lives a large number of crocodiles, wild cats and other animals that may 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.