Sri Lanka is home to some of the world’s most unique and extraordinary animals. It’s no surprise that it’s a prime destination for tourists all over the world looking to spot fantastic beasts. This highly ranked biodiversity hot spot is a favorite for nature enthusiasts and animal photographers alike.
Sri Lanka is world-renowned for its leopards and elephant spotting. It is one of the only places that can almost always guarantee a view. Sri Lanka’s high density of bird species is also something you will not be able to find anywhere else in the world. Below, we’ve compiled a list of some of Sri Lanka’s favorite, weirdest and cutest animals.
Leopard
The Leopard is one of the most popular animals for tourist viewing in Sri Lanka. A large part of the wildlife tourist attraction, Leopard spotting is a very lucrative industry. There are numerous knowledgeable tour guides for Leopard Safaris who can speak and translate multiple languages.
Leopards are secret and elusive creatures. They are speedy, stealthy and downright impressive to watch when hunting. Of the six species of Sri Lankan leopards, their coloring is typically from straw to bright golden brown with black spots. Other than mating season, leopards usually forage alone.
Unfortunately, the Leopard population is declining rapidly in Sri Lanka. One of the factors for population decline is loss of habitat. Sri Lankan Leopards are also widely poached because the skins and furs are valuable. Many people believe leopard skins bring good luck.
Chital Deer
The closest thing you’ll find to a real-life replica of Bambi, Chital Deer are known for their graceful movements and tendency to move in groups of up to 30. These deer have light, reddish-brown and white-spotted fur, which gives them a more “classic” deer look. They also have a large white patch of fur on their throat, which is more prominent on male deer.
You might be able to catch Chital Deer standing across from each other on their hind legs with their foreheads together. Also known for their speed, Chital does are notoriously famous for their tendency to bite.
Because the Chital Deer is tropical it does not follow any seasonal rut. This means that fawning is not limited to a particular time of the month. It also means that bucks can be found with hard horns and velvet any time of the year.
Red Faced Macaques
You won’t be able to leave Sri Lanka without seeing Red Faced Macaques. Sri Lanka is one of the world’s best locations to witness primates. These monkeys are found in more public areas because of their constant search for food. These curious and playful creatures love to hoard food and are known for snatching food in open areas, dog bowls and even garbage cans. Red Faced Macaques are also known for snatching non-food items, like purses or keys.
The most descriptive characteristic of these animals is their reddish faces. Their fur is usually tan in color, which is much lighter than their black pointed ears. Red Faced Macaques are also known for mimicking human behavior, which makes for interesting observation.
Red Faced Macaques do not display the typical fear wild animals have for humans. However, do not mistake their inquisitive nature as docile. It is important to not provoke Red Faced Macaques because they are fiercely protective of their food and young. As with any time you travel, you should make sure to protect your food and personal items. Any wild Red Face Macaques have a high-risk of rabies so it is important to not get bitten.
Painted Stork
Sri Lanka is home to more than 400 bird species, which makes it a prime location for bird enthusiasts. The Painted Stork is arguable the most beautiful of Sri Lanka’s five species of Storks. The Painted Stork has a colorful appearance, with a long yellow-orange bill, coral-pink face and legs. The stork’s body is typically white with splashes of black and pink tail feathers.
This fabulously colored and large stork loves areas associated with aquatic life. The Painted Stork typically resides in marches, probing muddy bottoms for crabs and frogs. It usually nests in waterside trees and small bushes.
Land Monitor
When running across the path of a Land Monitor, you might find yourself comparing it to a giant lizard or a crocodile. The Land Monitor is in fact, one of the world’s largest lizards. The estimated length of these creatures is between six and seven feet. Despite it’s large size, the Land Monitor is quick on the ground, especially while pursuing prey.
Land Monitors eat anything from insects to birds and small mammals. Another distinguishing and interesting characteristic of the Land Monitor is that it can climb trees. In fact, Land Monitors are speedy and agile enough when climbing trees, they can even reach high enough to eat bats.
Indian Flying Foxes
Indian Flying Foxes, which are actually fruit-eating bats, are another unique animal oddity of Sri Lanka. Known as “flying foxes” because of their fox-like faces and brown fur, Indian Flying Foxes make loud racket by screeching and communicating with each other in trees. These bats are not inconspicuous. They have a wingspan of more than four feet.
Some Indian villages consider the Flying Fox sacred. While most would consider large bats a pest, people are fiercely protective of them. They believe that the bats seek protection from the God Muni, who dwells around the tree. They will protect the bats against even the slightest disturbance. Villagers believe that if the bat is disturbed, even in cases beyond their control, that they will be punished by Muni.
Asian Elephant
Arguably the most well known animal in Sri Lanka’s wildlife, the Asian Elephant is another large tourist attraction. The Asian Elephant is the largest animal in Sri Lanka. It is often compared to the African Elephant, but has key physical differentiations. Asian Elephants are smaller than African Elephants and have smaller rounder ears.
This animal has the capacity to be domesticated and is listed as threatened by the World Conservation Union. Because they can be domesticated, they have been employed to hall large heavy objects such as trees and multiple humans. These elephants, like most, live in groups of ten led by older females. The males are eventually cast out of the group to live on their own.
August and September is the best time to view the Asian Elephant due to high concentration called “The Gathering.” Sri Lanka also guarantees elephant viewings in Uda Walawe, making it the only park in all of Asia that can make that guarantee.
Indian Mongoose
The Indian Mongoose is one of the most impressive predators around. They are sleek and fast moving, often challenging venomous snakes. They usually hunt alone and eat frogs, snakes, eggs and sometimes fruit. Their coats are thick, with grey hair and a long muzzle and tail.
Mongooses typically have sharp teeth for hunting and are agile enough to escape even the most deadly snakes. They are usually seen in motion and live in dry and wet hill forests. They tend to dwell in secluded spaces and have around 2 or 3 children. Though they often challenge snakes, they are not immune to their venom.