20. Long Legged Spiny Lobster

Common Name:   Bathik Issa or Bathik Pokirissa

Scientific Name:   Panulirus longipes

Animal Family: Palinuridae 

Population: Least Concern

Description: Grows to a maximus length of about 30cm,but a more normal adult size is 20 to with a carapace length of up to 10cm.The general colour is dark brown or bluish-brown and there are numerous circular white spots on the abdomen and rather fewer spots on other parts of the body.

Habitat: Most commonly found at a depth range of 10-15m, occasionally at a depth range of 1-40m . It prefers to hide in the crevices found in rocky areas and coral  reefs and especially  in a clear water habitat.

Foods: Their favourite diet consists mostly of snails,clams,crabs,and urchins.

19. Mud Spiny Lobster

Common Name: Mada Issa, Mada Pokirissa 

Scientific Name:   Panulirus polyphagus

Animal Family: Palinuridae

Population:  Least Concern

Description: Panulirus polyphagus,  the mud spiny lobster ,is a species of crustacean that lives on shallow rocky reefs and muddy substrates in the topical indo- pacific region.

Habitat: Though is prefers muddy sea bottom as its habitat it relishes an environment of greenish coloured muddy water near river mouths .it is commonly found at a depth range of 5-15 cm , occasionally down to 90m.

Foods: In general, palinurids are mainly considered carnivores, usually feeding upon sluggish, easily captured animals where most material is eaten alive or freshly killed .

18. Ornate Rock Lobster or Ornate Spiny Lobster

Common Name:   Diwi Issa, Diwi Pokirissa

Scientific Name:   Panulirus ornatus

Animal Family: Palinuridae

Population: Least Concern

Description: The ornate rock lobster is a larger specimen with a blue- green carapace.It is characterized by its large frontal horns, as well as as distinct patterning with stripes and sport of various colors throughout its body .its walking legs have intricate stripe patterns, making it appear almost spider- like.

Habitat:Through this species prefers brackish water habitat in the close proximity of rivers and river mouths, they are able to live in a habitat full of rocky areas and coral reefs on muddy and sandy sea bottoms. found solitary or in pairs.  commonly found at a depth of 5-10 cm, and at times 1-50 cm.

Foods: While lobsters will eat almost anything, their favourite diet consists mostly of snails, clams, crabs, and urchins. 

17. Scalloped Spiny Lobster

Common Name:  Wali issa, Wali Pokirissa

Scientific Name:   Panulirus homarus

Animal Family: Palinuridae 

Population:   Least Concern 

Description:    Grows up to 20-32 cm. It has a green  mottled carapace with red spines mostly on anterior part of carapace. Antennular plate with two pairs of spines and a patch of smaller spines between them. Antennular with conspicuous banding. Short frontal horns. Transverse grooves with scalloped margin on abdominal 2-5. 

Habitat:   Being nocturnal it prefers crevices in rock and sandstone reefs, often shallow, 5-10 m, sometimes down to 90 m.

Foods:   Small crustaceans, molluscs, worms and algae.

16. Bamboo Lobster or Blue Spiny Lobster

Common Name:   Raja issa-or-raja-pokirissa  

Scientific Name:   Panulirus versicolor 

Animal Family:   Palinuridae

Population:   Least Concern 

Description:   Grows up to 40 cm. Lateral white stripes across each abdominal somite and blue -black patches and white line on carapace. Two white bands on each leg. Curved frontal horns and two pairs of small spines on antennular plate. Females lay eggs and carry their eggs. Juveniles have a bright blue coloration.  

Habitat:   Most commonly found at a depth range of 10-15 m, occasionally at a depth range of 1- 40 m. It prefers to Hide in the cervices found in rocky areas and coral reefs and especially in a clean water.

Foods:   Fresh caught arthropods, other crustaceans, and occasional small fish.

15. Anoplolepis Gracilipes

Common Name:   Yellow Crazy Ant

Scientific Name:   Anoplolepis Gracilipes

Family:   Formicidae

Description:   Yellow Crazy Ants are small insects known for their erratic movements and yellowish coloration. They typically form large colonies and are aggressive towards other ant species and small animals.

Population:   Yellow Crazy Ant populations can vary greatly depending on environmental conditions and control efforts. In some regions, they can form super colonies with millions of individuals.

Habitat:   Yellow Crazy Ants thrive in a variety of habitats, including forest, grasslands, and urban areas.

Food:   Yellow Crazy Ants are omnivorous, feeding on a wide range of food sources including insects, small vertebrates, honeydew produced by aphides and scale insects, and various plant materials.

02. Ceylon Gaura

 

Common Name:  Gawara

Scientific Name:  Bibos Sinhaleyus

Animal Family:  Bovidae

Population:  Extended 

Description:  About 7 feet tall, stronger than a buffalo, bigger than. bison, slightly shorter than an Indian buffalo, weighing 700-1000kg. Females and cubs are quite light and beautiful, with few hairs when hatching.

Habitat:  Misty Central Highlands Leopard Range, Knuckles Mountain, Butterfly Mountain Horton Plains.

Food:  A type of grass called gavaramana, gavarakele, which grows in the highlands plains. 

14. Aneuretus Simoni (Sri Lankan Relict Ant)

 

Common Name:   Sri Lankan Relict Ant

Scientific Name:   Aneuretus Simoni 

Animal Family:   Formicidae (Ants)

Description:   Aneuretus Simoni is a species of ant known for its relatively large size and distinctive physical features, including a dark coloration and robust mandibles.

Population:   Population data may vary depending on the region and available studies, but it's generally considered to have stable population. 

Found Where:   Aneuretus Simoni is native to southeast Asia.

Food: Aneuretus Simoni is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of organic matter including insects, nectar, and other plant materials.

Habitat: This ant species inhabits forested areas, typically residing in leaf letter or soil. They can also be found nesting in rotting wood or under stones.

13. Black Ant

Common Name:   Black Ant

Scientific Name:   There are several species of black ants, but one common species is Lasius Niger. 

Animal Family:   Formicidae (Ants) 

Description:   Black ant, as the name suggest, are typically black in color. They are small insects with six legs, segmented bodies, and antennae. Their size can very depend on the species, but they are generally small, ranging from a few millimeters to a few centimeters in length.

Population:   Black ants are widespread and can be found in large population, especially in areas with suitable habitats and food sources.

Habitat:   Black ants are adaptable and can thrive in various habitats. They typically nest underground or in rotting wood but can also be found nesting in walls, under rocks, and in other sheltered locations.

Found Where:   There are commonly found in forests, grasslands, urban areas, and even deserts.

Food:  Black ants are omnivores and scavengers. They feed on a variety of food sources, including dead insects, nectar, fruit, and sugary substances.