04. Sri Lanka Cat Snake

 

 

Common Name:   Sri Lanka Cat Snake

Scientific Name:   Boiga ceylonensis 

Animal Family:   Colubridae

Description:   They are about 4 feet long from tip to tip with the tail 10 inches. In Boiga ceylonensis, also known as the Sri Lankan Cat Snake, sexual dimorphism is not very pronounced. Both males and females typically have similar appearance in terms of size, coloration, and body structure. Therefore, distinguishing  between males and body females based on physical characteristics alone can be challenging. 

Founded where:   The dry lowlands, the wet zone and up to about 450meters in the hills.

Habitat:   Lives in dense vegetation including bushes and trees of hills. 

Food:   Feeds mainly on lizards, birds, rodents, bats, frogs etc.

02. Ceylon Forester

Common Name:   Ceylon Forester

Scientific Name:   Lethe dynaste

Animal Family:   Nymphalidae

Size:   Approximately 4-5 centimeters in wingspan

Population:   Population size may vary, but it's generally considered stable.

Found where:   Endemic to Sri Lanka, particularly in forests and wooded areas.

Habitat:   They inhabit forested areas, including rainforests and other wooded habitats.

Food:   The larvae of the Ceylon forester butterfly primarily feed on grasses, while the adults feed on nectar from flowers. 

02. Hitha Massa

 

Common Name :   Black lined barb , Side striped Barb

 
Animal family:   cyprinidae

Scientific Name:   Puntius pleurotania

Population:  Vulnerable 

Description:   Grows up to 10cm. Occasionally grows up to 15cm. Often found in small group.

Habitat:   A fresh water fish native to Sri Lanka. Lives in clean fresh water stream under the shade of trees. Classified as vulnerable due to population decline. By purchasing privately owned forest lands boarding these streams and permanently designating them as conservation forests, the rainforest conservancy aims to save the black lined barb from extinction.

Food:  Algae,insects,worms and decaying matter 

03. Paduru Mapila

Common Name:  Barnes' cat snake

Scientific Name:   Boiga barnseii

Animal Family:   Colubridae

Description:   It is the smallest cat snake in Sri Lanka and grows up to a maximum of about 600mm (24 in) in snout-length. The male and female Boiga barnesii, also known as Barnes' Cat Snake, typically have similar appearances. However, in many snake species, males tend to be slightly smaller and simmer than females, but this may not always be the case. Additionally, in some species, males may have slightly longer tails or5 broader heads compared to females, but these differences can be subtle and vary among individuals.

Founded where:   Some snakes are founded in all parts of the country form the seas surrounding the island to the highest point- Horton Plains.

Habitat:   They are live in a wide variety of habitats including forests, swamps, grasslands, deserts amd in both fresh amd salt water.

Food:   Being a nocturnal and an arboreal hunter, it mainly feeds on agamid lizards and geckos.