Wildlife

The Sri Lankan wildlife is no less than a rich repertoire of flora and fauna. The woods of the island nation are absolutely amazing with various interesting facts and figure.

The aspects that make Sri Lanka a wildlife hub is:

• 92 species of mammals
• Over 440 bird species
• 242 butterfly & 117 dragonfly species
• 190 reptiles of which 98 species are of snakes, while the remaining are of mainly lizards, crocodiles and turtles
• 102 amphibian species
• 107 species of fish
• 3210 species of flowering plants
• Overall, about 22 percent of Sri Lanka’s amphibians, birds, mammals, and reptiles and 27 percent of our plants are endemic

National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries:

Yala National Park:

With an area of 1259 sq km, this is the biggest National Park in the country. Divided into Yala West (also called Ruhuna) and Yala East, this place is home to leopards, elephants, sloth bear, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, toque monkey, mongoose and crocodiles.

Gal Oya National Park:

This national park is located 314 km away from Colombo. Senanayake Samudra, the largest tank in Sri Lanka surrounds its 260 sq km area. Elephants are the highlight of this forest.

Uda Walawe National Park:

Uda Walawe National Park lies within the Ratnapura and Monaragala districts and is 170 km southeast of Colombo. Elephants, spotted deer, sambhur, water buffaloes, mongoose, bandicoots, foxes, water monitor lizards, crocodiles, wild boars, toque monkeys, grey langur and leopards are the inhabitants here.

Wasgamuwa National Park:

This forest is located 200 km away from Colombo and is graced by Mahaweli River and Amban River. A traveler can spot leopards, sloth bears, water monitors, crocodiles, includes elephants, wild buffaloes and spotted deer.

Horton Plains National Park:

With a splendid variety of animals and birds, Horton Plains National Park lies amidst hills in Nuwara Eliya.

Bird Watching:

An awesome bird paradise, Sri Lanka is a hub for bird watchers. With more than 440 species of native and migratory birds, the woods of the island are abuzz with their chirping. While traveling to Sri Lanka during October to March, don’t miss out on the wonderful visiting birds.