Named after a Norwegian whaler, Bryde’s (pronounced as ‘broodess’) whale has a slender, streamlined body. The head is V-shaped and longitudinally ridged from the tip of the rostrum to the double blowholes and the central ridge is flanked by two additional ridges, 1-2 cm thick, on either side. A set of 40-70 throat pleats run…

Blue whales are the largest animals ever known to have lived on Earth. Its body is very long, tapered and streamlined and can grow up to 100 feet (30 meters) long and upwards of 200 tons (181 metric tons). The head is broad, long and almost U-shaped, accounting for up to a quarter of the…

Black-naped Hare’s are the only species of wild hare or rabbit in Sri Lanka. It’s highly nocturnal and is found in forested areas mixing with glades of grasslands in the outskirts of Colombo. Its herbivorous and eats grasses, shoots and young leaves.  

The Crested Porcupine is blackish brown and white with a cloak of pointed quills. Many predators are seen with these quills in their flesh for long times after a failed attack on the Porcupine. They are very commonly sighted in the late nights in urban streets in escape from domestic dogs. They are known to…

This is the largest of the four species of squirrels in Sri Lanka. It is very accustomed to people and will approach them openly for a quick fruit snack. Usually seen in pairs and requires tall forests to reside in. There are three subspecies one of the highlands which is black and yellow with a…

The Giant Flying Squirrel is a spectacular sight when it’s gliding from place to place. This species is highly nocturnal and very hard to spot. It has very similar markings on the upper part of its body like the black and yellow Giant Squirrel but has pale under parts.  Very little is known of their…

This small dark squirrel can look even darker in the dimness of a rainforest. There are three faint stripes on its chocolate brown coat. The tail is relatively smaller than other squirrel species. Frequents forest patches in the wet zone and hardly seen in urban habitat. Unlike other squirrels it doesn’t feed on the ground…

This is the most common Squirrel in Sri Lanka and occurs throughout the island. They require tall trees for roosting and shelter during the hot day.  Often seen with Yellow-billed Babblers in a symbiotic relationship. They are known to be the most vocal mammal in Sri Lanka. Feeds on plant matter, leaves, seeds and fruits…

The Layard’s Striped Squirrel is the size of the common Palm Squirrel but is much darker in color with 3 dorsal stripes out which the middle one is the longest and widest. They usually occur in tall forests in the wet zone. Usually are seen in pairs or singly and has a similar behavior of…

The Water Buffalo is the only member of the bovine family occurring in a wild state. Buffalos gather in herds and have a close knit structure. Buffalo’s feed on aquatic plants and grazes on short grasslands. They are widely seen near water holes of the dry zone parks such as Yala, Wasgomuwa and Uda Walawe.…