This medium sized deer is uniformly brown colored with small antlers mounted on small pedicles. Its preferred habitat is throughout lowlands and highlands where forest cover combines with grasslands. Usually seen singly but may form small groups when no eminent threat of predators are near. Diets on grasses and tender leaves. Wilpattu national park is…

The Sambar also referred to as ‘Elk’ by 19th century European hunters; although there is no true Elk found in Asia. The Sambar is largest the deer on the island. Its uniformed dark chocolate brown coat and large size easily identifies it. Sambars occupy dense rain-forests to vast open grasslands. Only the male develops antlers…

The Spotted Deer is usually seen associating with Hanuman Langurs and is said to share a special bond due to the protection each offers the other. Spotted Deer form herds and a dominant male secures rights to the females in the herd. They are Herbivorous and will occasionally feed on low hanging branches but mostly…

Due to hunting these animals is rather shy and tries to keep away from human congregation but in protected areas are seen at ease in groups of about 30. Their habitat is close to forest cover in dry and wet zones and is spread across the island. The males grow formidable tusks that could inflict…

The Asian Elephant is the largest terrestrial animal in Asia but is smaller than the African Elephant. The Asian Elephant is a forest Elephant with smaller ears, concave back and a trunk with one protuberance which distinguishes it from the African Elephant. Most of Sri Lanka’s Elephants now remain in the dry lowlands while a…

The Leopard is Sri Lanka’s symbol of pride when it comes to a potential destination for wildlife travel. Sri Lanka is considered to be the best place to see the Leopard in the whole of Asia due to the thriving population in the Yala National Park and Wilpattu National Park. The Leopard is the top…

This rather large cat can grow up to the size of a dog and is known to stand its ground when confronted. Two white stripes on the inner edge of the eyes and the white patches on the cheeks distinguish these cats’ facial features. It has greyish fur with broken longitudinal stripes running through its…

The Rusty-spotted Cat is the smallest wild cat in Sri Lanka and is also considered as a competitor for the smallest wild cat in the world alongside with the Black-footed Cat Felis nigripes and Kodkod Leopardus guigna. They have a slender body and are smaller than the domestic cat. The fur is grizzled brownish grey,…

The Jungle Cat has a uniformed sandy brown coat with a greyish tone and pointed years. The blackish tips on the pointed years give them a blackish rim. Their habitat seems to be restricted to the dry lowlands scrub forests. Mostly seen alone; their behavior is not very well known in the wild. Diet consists…

This is a very common mongoose seen in the lowlands of the southern part of the island. Easily could be confused with the Brown Mongoose but due to its black tipped upward curled tail can be said apart. Often seen in pairs and lives in forested areas. They are carnivorous and scavengers often seen visiting…