Relatively small in size, Sri Lanka has a rich flora and fauna. Not an island, but one large zoo along with a botanical garden.

It is not for nothing that this country was recognized by the International Organization for Environmental Protection as one of the 34 places on the planet with the greatest biodiversity. And the Sinharaja Rainforest, the last natural tropical jungle area in the country, has been designated as a Site World Heritage UNESCO.

The special charm of the Sri Lankan flora and fauna is given by a very high proportion of endemic species of plants and animals, for example, all Sri Lankan land crabs (51 species!) are endemic.

Thanks to the influence of Buddhism, which calls for honoring all living things, Sri Lanka pays great attention to environmental protection. The island has 12 national parks and 52 nature reserves, occupying 13 percent of Sri Lanka's area.

Udawatakele Wildlife Sanctuary in Kandy is, without a doubt, the oldest protected wildlife area. Safari participants traveling through its land can admire 91 species of mammals (including 16 that live only in this region). If you are lucky, you will meet amazing animals of Sri Lanka: elephants, leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, sika deer, wild pigs, mouse and barking deer, wild boars, porcupines, anteaters, civets (a type of wild cat), lemurs, giant squirrels , monkeys (including macaques and langurs).

Yala National Park is considered to have the largest concentration of leopards in the world.

Uda Walawe National Park is known for its huge elephant population, and Minneriya National Park offers stunning spectacles during the dry season when herds of elephants congregate on the park's only island of water.

Sri Lanka is one of the best places on land to watch blue whales. Here tourists can admire sperm whales, killer whales and dolphins, which are regularly encountered during sea trips along the coast of Mirissa ( South coast islands). And in order to meet a dugong (an aquatic mammal of the siren order), you need to go to the northwestern coast of Sri Lanka.

Seven species of turtles can often be seen on the island's beaches.

The island is a paradise for bird watchers. 233 species of birds live here (33 endemic), and in total, taking into account migration, the number of bird species increases to 482.

The island has 171 species of reptiles (101 of these, including two species of crocodiles, are found only here), 244 species of butterflies and 120 species of dragonflies.

It can be said that Sri Lanka's animals are its greatest wealth, perhaps even more valuable than its tea. By the way, a few words about plants.

There are about 3,000 plant species on the island (a quarter of which are flowering); 750 types of medicinal herbs, about 150 species orchids and ferns.

The fruits of Sri Lanka are a different story! In addition to our well-known pineapples and bananas, pomelo, mango, rambutan, durian, lychee, jackfruit, sapodilla, mangosteen, longan, etc. grow there. Well, it’s very tasty, especially since local pineapples and bananas bear little resemblance to what we we buy in stores.

Thanks to its unique nature Sri Lanka is great for ecotourism. Those who like to interact with wildlife are recommended to visit the Sinharaja tropical rainforest and mountain range Knuckles; National parks Yala, Uda Walawe, Bundala, Horton Plains, Mineria and Kaudula, as well as Mountain peaks Ritigala and Pidurangala.

Materials used in preparing the article

Sri Lanka Tourism Development Bureau

The fauna of Sri Lanka is quite numerous and very diverse. On this big island you will see many interesting animals. There are about 90 species of mammals alone in Sri Lanka, including deer, wild pigs and other animals that can be found in forests and savannas in large numbers. Even meeting a leopard in Sri Lanka is very likely. For example, in some protected areas such as Wilpatte or national park Yala, there is an impressive population of these big cats. In total, about 600 leopards live in Sri Lanka today. The elephant population on the island is also large, but due to their habitat being significantly reduced in recent years, the elephant population is gradually declining. The elephant is probably one of the most impressive animals on the island. Large herds of elephants can still be seen passing through the countryside in various national parks.
In this article we will tell you about the most famous and interesting animals in Sri Lanka, provide photos of some of these animals and tell you a lot of interesting things about the fauna of the island.

Wildlife of Sri Lanka

Typical representatives of the animal world in Sri Lanka are also the porcupine, wild boar and sloth bear. There are also many species of monkeys, including macaques. Monkey species endemic to the island include the Baraffe and Blattaffe, which can be identified by their bright red face.
In general, animals in Sri Lanka are quite modest and shy, but there are also animals that are not afraid of humans and are therefore relatively common. These are, for example, geckos, which can be seen almost anywhere. The local population is so accustomed to this reptile that they don’t even pay attention to it. There are many other species of reptiles, including some that can only be found in Sri Lanka, such as the marsh crocodile. In addition, the island is home to a huge number of turtles and snakes. As you know, Sri Lanka is home to 83 species of snakes, including poisonous ones, including the cobra.

Birds in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a very diverse bird population, as the island, surrounded by the Indian Ocean, is home to 427 species of birds. Here you can see herons of various sizes, crows, parrots, flamingos, cormorants and many other birds.
The birds in Sri Lanka are so diverse and interesting that many tourists even go on special excursions to watch the birds. Sometimes such excursions last not one, but two or more days.

Fishes in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka is rich in fish and amphibians. We are not talking about sea creatures, but about freshwater fish. As you know, 54 species of fish and 38 different amphibians live in the waters of Sri Lanka. Many fish are very attractive and impressive with their colorful patterns, which is why they are popular as aquarium fish in other parts of the world.
Some fish species did not originally exist in Sri Lanka, but were brought by the British from Europe. Thus, one should not be surprised by the presence of trout in the rivers of the island. This fish feels quite comfortable in the clear waters of the local rivers.

Butterflies in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's butterfly population is also extremely diverse. This island is famous for its colorful butterflies. Of the approximately 240 butterfly species, most live in the lower mountainous regions. The annual migration of butterflies in Sri Lanka is a unique and delightful sight. Insects fly during March and April on Samanala Kandhu, the so-called butterfly mountain.

Monkeys in Sri Lanka

Whether we accept the theory of evolution or not, apes are the closest relative to humans in the evolutionary tree. Their behavior and comical expressions remind us of many of our moods. From the suburbs of Colombo to the most remote parts of Sri Lanka, you will be able to spot monkeys of different types, the most common of which are macaques. Other interesting monkeys in Sri Lanka include the Hanuman langur (aka gray langur), purple lagur and slender lorises, which are rare and difficult to spot due to their nocturnal nature. Monkeys in Sri Lanka are commonly called "Wanduroo", macaques are called "Rilavu" and lorises are called "Unahapuluwa".
The macaque is Sri Lanka's most widespread primate and is evenly distributed across the island from the coastal plains to the central hills. The macaque is a reddish-brown monkey with a whitish underbelly.
Hanuman Langur is a monkey that is widespread in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma and Sri Lanka and is named after the Indian Hindu monkey god Hanuman, immortalized in the epic Ramayana. The fur color of this monkey ranges from gray to dark brown. Usually these monkeys can be seen in a group of ten to thirty individuals, and sometimes in large numbers. These groups are often accompanied by a large, dominant and aggressive male.

Crocodiles in Sri Lanka

In Sri Lanka, all crocodiles are called "Kimbula". As we have already said, this island is home to the swamp crocodile, which is very fond of swampy surroundings, where it digs holes to create shelters. This crocodile is on the Red List of Threatened Species. Adult crocodiles are brown or blackish-gray in color, while juvenile crocodiles are usually pale olive in color with black stripes all over their bodies.
The Mugger crocodile (another name for the swamp crocodile) is similar to an alligator in appearance and has a wide snout about 0.5 meters long. Its head is rough without any ridges, and its jaw contains 19 upper teeth on each side. The limbs are protected by keel scales, and a jagged fringe is visible on the outer edge of each leg.
The Mugger crocodile is known to migrate long distances in search of food and water or new habitat. In Sri Lanka, the marsh crocodile usually lives along an extensive river network, irrigation canals, lakes and estuaries. The mugger is very common in Yala National Park, as there are about 500 individuals living here. There are no recorded attacks of crocodiles on people in the national park, although there are frequent attacks by crocodiles on local residents on the Nilwala River. True, in all cases they occurred due to encroachment on the habitat of crocodiles or due to the negligence of people.

Turtles in Sri Lanka

Sea turtles are among the oldest creatures to live in our planet's waters, having remained virtually unchanged for 110 million years. These ancient sea nomads, however, face an uncertain future due to habitat destruction and accidental capture by fishing gear. Until recently, sea turtle studies have focused on nesting females and chicks because they are the easiest to spot and observe. Sea turtles are air-breathing reptiles superbly adapted to marine life, but they cannot retract their heads and limbs like other turtles and freshwater terrapins. The hydrodynamic shape, large size and powerful winged front flippers allow them to dive deep and swim great distances without going ashore. In fact, they almost never come ashore except when laying eggs.
In the early 1990s, sea turtle awareness campaigns began in Sri Lanka and many conservation efforts were focused on areas around the main resorts. Of the eight known species of turtles found in the world's oceans, five species are found in Sri Lanka, where they lay eggs in many places around the island.

Monitor lizards in Sri Lanka

There are quite a lot of lizards on the island, including monitor lizards, the size of which can reach two meters. Not every adult can always remain calm if he sees a 2-meter monitor lizard in front of him. In general, monitor lizards in Sri Lanka, as in any other country in the world, are not aggressive, and do not particularly seek out meetings with people. However, in some cases, monitor lizards can attack a person, especially if the person provokes this animal. The bite of a monitor lizard itself is not dangerous, but the teeth of this lizard can contain a huge amount of bacteria. Therefore, if the wound is not treated immediately, the wound will become very painful and fester.
But let us note once again that monitor lizards will attack a person only in cases where they simply have no choice.

Palm squirrels (chipmunks) in Sri Lanka

There are three species of palm squirrels in Sri Lanka: the white striped squirrel called Vana Lena or Mukalan Lena in Sinhala and Karapu Anil in Tamil, the palm squirrel called Iri Lena in Sinhala and Sinna Anil in Tamil, and the sand squirrel called Puluthu Lena or Podi Lena in Sinhala and Sinna Anil in Tamil.
The palm squirrel is the most common squirrel species on the island. The other two species are much less common. There are four subspecies of palm squirrel in Sri Lanka, which live in different geographical points islands. One of the subspecies lives in the mountains, the second in the humid zone, and the other two in the dry zone (in the north and south). In most cases, these subtypes are difficult to identify unless grasped.
Because of their stripes on their bodies, palm squirrels are called chipmunks in Sri Lanka. These squirrels have small ears covered with soft fur, thick tails, the length of which is approximately equal to the length of the body and head. When they are squatting while eating or holding something with their front paws, the squirrel's tail is held in an "S" shape.
Palm squirrels in Sri Lanka make their nests from any material they can find, including dry grass, soft bark of some trees, wool, etc. In urban areas, they can even build their nests under the roof of some houses and other convenient places .
Many Sri Lankan households, especially in rural areas, have a squirrel as a pet. Some locals have giant squirrels. Squirrels can become very tame, are easily tamed and will not leave if released from their cage.

Leeches in Sri Lanka

One of the things that deters people from visiting the rainforests of Sri Lanka is the presence of small leeches in these forests. Leeches in Sri Lanka, which are only 3-5 cm long, frighten some people even more than venomous snakes or ferocious mammals.
Repellent on shoes and on your feet helps against leeches, but the fact is that moisture on the ground and plants will quickly wash away the repellent, and you will be left without protection. So you should take care of other methods of protection. The main one is special socks. This is the most effective and convenient way avoid leech bites while hiking in the rainforests of Sri Lanka. These long fabric socks that cover your leg up to the knee will not only relieve you from leech bites, but will also effectively prevent tick bites.

Dangerous animals in Sri Lanka

Many tourists, before deciding to travel to the rainforests or other regions of Sri Lanka with an abundance of different animals, are interested in what dangerous animals there are on this island. In fact, there are quite a few dangerous animals in Sri Lanka, so we advise you to always remain vigilant, even when you are on hotel premises.
Remember that there are many snakes in Sri Lanka, including poisonous ones. For local residents, a snake crawling through the streets of a village is not an unusual phenomenon, and no one runs away, no one screams. They know that even the most dangerous snake poses no danger to them if they themselves do not touch it. So you just need to be careful and not go into any suspicious places.
Things are more complicated with dangerous insects. For example, a scorpio may crawl into your shoes or hide in your clothes. This can happen even in a large hotel, not to mention bungalows located in rural areas.
Spiders, centipedes, leeches, ticks - all these insects can pose a certain danger to humans. A fatal outcome is, of course, unlikely, but health problems and severe pain are possible if they are bitten.
But not only snakes and insects can pose a danger to humans in Sri Lanka. This island lives a large number of crocodiles, wild cats and other animals that may attack you. As a rule, such animals live in national parks or other places far from resort areas. So, if you don't want to meet them, then you probably won't.
Don't forget that seemingly cute animals, such as dogs and monkeys, can also pose a certain danger.

Hello, dear readers – seekers of knowledge and truth!

Sri Lanka attracts thousands of travelers. They dream of being there, but once they get there, they don’t want to leave.

What is the reason? In the warm waves of the Indian Ocean, in an atmosphere entangled in historical mystery and legends, in the unique taste of Ceylon tea or in the impenetrable jungle and its exotic inhabitants?

It is the latter that we want to talk to you about today. Animals of Sri Lanka are one of the riches of the island. They are almost not afraid of people and live very close to them with their usual wild life.

The article below will show how diverse animal world Sri Lankan island, what inhabitants of the land, sea and air are found here. You will find out what unusual animals are found in Sri Lanka and why they are interesting. And if you have long wanted to go on a trip, but are hesitant because of possible dangers, the article will definitely be useful to you - we will tell you whether you should be afraid of dangerous animals.

Diversity of fauna

Sri Lanka can rightfully be called a unique region, because it is home to hundreds of species of animals, birds, butterflies, insects, and marine life.

More than 15 percent of all fauna living here live only here - these are the so-called endemics.

Take a look at this impressive list of animal species diversity for yourself:

• mammals – 90 species;
• reptiles – 170;
• amphibians – more than 100;
• birds – 225;
• fish – more than 80;
• beetles - over 3 thousand;
• butterflies - almost 250 species.

Unfortunately, many animals are on the verge of extinction and are listed in the Red Book. These include the famous sloth bear, the Sri Lankan leopard, the Indian sambar deer, and the Sri Lankan elephant.

Animals near us

To see the wildlife in Sri Lanka, you don’t need to specifically look for it – it’s already around. Many animals are so accustomed to people that they practically do not notice them, and at times they live as one big family.

There are also very nimble animals that bask in the rays of people’s love and for this they receive treats directly from their hands. This applies, of course, primarily to monkeys and chipmunks, which are also called palm squirrels.

Palm squirrel

In the immediate vicinity of humans there are a variety of monkeys:

• Purple-faced langurs are endemic and can be identified by their bright red faces;
• gray langurs - they are also called “Hanuman” in honor of the monkey-faced god Hanuman;
• purple langurs;
• loris are small nocturnal animals, the Sri Lankans call them “unahapuluva” in their own way;
• macaques - they wear a red-brown skin with a white spot on the belly, they are locally called “rilavu”.

Both monkeys and squirrels can sometimes be very impudent: there have been cases when they climbed into tourists' bags, took away food, or even stole valuables. This is funny, but you should be more careful with them so as not to become a victim of an exotic “pickpocket”.

Gray langur

Almost all tourist spots offer elephant rides or swimming. Black, gray, brownish, they are everywhere here, because elephants are considered sacred animals in Sri Lanka and India.

Walking down the street during the day, you can see flying foxes sleeping upside down on trees and wires. They are much larger in size than bats, have a reddish color and, when they sleep, are covered with black wings, like cloaks. Although they can be intimidating in appearance, they are not at all scary to people.

flying fox

Also during the day you can meet mongooses - predators similar to large ferrets, geckos, and striped monitor lizards.

Mongoose

Some beaches offer great opportunities to see turtles, touch them, and some lucky ones even get to swim with them.

Turtles on the beaches of Sri Lanka

An entertainment called birdwatching is gaining momentum. In order to see various parrots, herons, cormorants, flamingos and small unknown birds, people buy excursions. However, some birds can be seen and heard completely free of charge, for example, crows, toucans and handsome peacocks.

Flamingos in Cumana National Park

Another impressive sight in the “blessed land”, as Sri Lanka translates, is the flight of butterflies. In March-April they migrate, and you can admire all the diversity of these creatures.

And the most frequent guests on human territory are all kinds of insects. Huge beetles, spiders, ants, and cockroaches are found on the streets, in houses and hotel rooms.

Probably, meeting them does not seem desirable to many, but at the same time, all animals do not pose a danger to people. The main rule of communicating with local wildlife is to be careful and try not to touch them, limiting yourself to simple photography, so as not to cause trouble for yourself and the animals themselves.

Animals in the wild

touch wildlife in Sri Lanka you can not only go on a multi-day hike through impassable jungle. For this purpose there are numerous nature protection zones and reserves. These include, for example, the Yala National Park in the province of Uva, the Habarana Nature Reserve near Sigiriya or the Dehiwala Zoo.

Leopard in Yala Park

Wild animals live here in their usual habitat: rare Sri Lankan leopards, of which there are only 600, porcupines, sika deer, wild boars, whole herds of good-natured elephants. But, perhaps, the main curiosity of these open spaces is the Ceylon bear.

He doesn't look at all like the brown bear we're used to. It has a dark color with a light spot on its face, similar to a mask. The mouth of the Ceylon bear is somewhat similar to a trunk - its lips are very mobile, which is why the bears are popularly called “slobbers”.

Ceylon bear

Sloths eat ants and termites, destroying their homes. For this they also received the nickname “anteater bears.” At the same time, they are not capable of causing harm to humans, although no one has yet canceled the precautionary measures.

The immersion into Ceylonese reality will be deeper in the forests. But for such trips you need to prepare thoroughly: wear closed clothes made of thick fabric, waterproof shoes, socks, and a hat.

Sinharaja Rain Forest

The thing is that here, especially during the rainy season, there are snakes: from harmless lashes to life-threatening cobras or Russell's vipers. Here on the trees there are leeches up to five centimeters in size - they are not so much dangerous as they are unpleasant, because the wounds from them take quite a long time to heal. In addition, you can see ticks, spiders, scalapendras, and scorpions, which can frighten you with just their appearance.

But you shouldn’t be afraid of all sorts of “horror stories” - although poisonous animals are found in Sri Lanka, they are far from human habitats. In addition, they themselves try not to catch a person’s eye. If a person does not become a provocateur, animals do not have to defend themselves, so cases of attacks on people are very rare.

If you encounter a snake while traveling, stop and freeze without making any sounds. Then gradually step back, but do not turn your back on the snake.

“Are there crocodiles, sharks, mosquitoes?” - you ask. We will answer: yes, but...

Marsh crocodiles do exist and reach eight meters in length, but they live far from human settlements. So, if you do not deliberately go into the water under prohibitory signs, then you will not be in danger.

There are sharks in the sea too. But these are nurse sharks and reef sharks measuring just over a meter. They are not dangerous to people, and they swim far from the shore.

Nurse shark

The terrible mosquitoes in the form of malaria mosquitoes are also nothing more than an invented fear. In the tourist area, the air is treated with repellents in such a way that even ordinary mosquitoes are practically absent.

Conclusion

The fauna of Sri Lanka is beautiful and wonderful. It helps you feel unity with nature, reminding you that we are all brothers. But do not forget that animals are by nature wild creatures who need freedom. Follow the safety rules and you will feel harmony with the surrounding world of this country.

Thank you very much for your attention, dear readers! May all your journeys be fulfilled. Support the blog - share the article on in social networks, if you liked it, and we will search for the truth together.

Sri Lanka is located in South Asia and is an island. The island of Sri Lanka is washed by the waters of the Indian Ocean and its Bay of Bengal. It is separated from Hindustan by the Gulf of Manara and the Palk Strait, 50 km wide. T.N. Adam's Bridge - a chain of islands in the Palk Strait - once completely connected Sri Lanka with the mainland, but, according to chronicles, was destroyed by an earthquake around 1481. The island is 350 km long, its width is 180 km at its widest part, and it is the same size as Tasmania or Ireland.

The state of Sri Lanka is located between 5`54` and 9`52` northern latitude, 800 km. from the equator. The northern and central parts of the island are in the subequatorial zone, and the southern part is in the equatorial zone. The total area is 65,610 sq. km, the length from north to south is 445 km, and from west to east 225 km. According to geologists, the island repeatedly rose from the water and sank again. Over many centuries, displacement of geological layers formed hills, mountains and gorges. The main part of the island is occupied by a plain, the height of which rarely exceeds 100 m above sea level.

In fact, the capital is Colombo (the seat of government and the main institutions of the country are located here), while the official suburb of Colombo is Sri Jaya-Vardenapura (Jayawardenapura-Kotte), where the country's legislative bodies and a number of administrative organizations are located.

Relief of Sri Lanka

Central is located in the center of the island mountain range. The average height of the mountains is 1000-2000 m above sea level, but some peaks rise higher. The most high point islands - Mount Pidurutalagala has a height of 2524 m, then Kirigalpotta - 2395 m, Totopolakanda - 2357 m. However, the most famous is the majestic Adam's Peak (Sri Pada) - 2243 m.

Many rivers of Sri Lanka flow from these mountains. The largest river, the Mahaweli Ganga (335 km), originates near Adam's Peak and flows into Indian Ocean in eastern Sri Lanka near Trincomalee. Other rivers are Malvanuna Oya - 164 km, Kelani Ganga - 145 km. The only river not originating in the mountains, Kala Oya - 148 km, flows from the ancient giant Kalaveva reservoir, built in the 5th century AD. Many rivers are navigable. Where there are mountains and rivers, there are also waterfalls. At 212 metres, Coslanda Bride Vale, the Bridal Veil, is one of the tallest single-spout waterfalls in the world. Babarakanda Waterfall - 241 m. The highest cascade on the island.

The east coast of Sri Lanka is hundreds of kilometers of continuous snow-white beaches, clear turquoise ocean, coral reefs and huge diversity in the plant world. In the northeast, 6-12 km. from Trincomalee Bay, there are two cozy hotels - Club Oceanic and Nilaveli Beach Hotel from which you can visit unique places for diving and snorkeling, daily excursions to the coral island of Pigeon are organized. 14% of the island's territory is occupied by national parks, nature reserves and reservations. The largest of them are Yala National Park (309 km from Colombo), Udawalawe National Park (170 km from Colombo), Wasgamuwa National Park (200 km from Colombo), Wilpatu National Park (176 km from Colombo) and National Park Bundala Park (260 km from Colombo).

The southwest coast of Sri Lanka is continuous with golden beaches, hotels and small towns - such as Negombo, Marawila, Mount Lavinia, Wadduwa, Kalutara, Beruwela, Bentota, Hikkaduwa, Galle. The atmosphere of a resort reigns throughout - blue ocean, golden sand, coconut palms, chic and inexpensive hotels. The capital of Sri Lanka is the city of Colombo, located in the western part of the island, on the ocean shore.

Minerals of Sri Lanka

The ancient Precambrian shield, which lies at the base of the Deccan Plateau of Hindustan, continues in the depths of Sri Lanka. Among its crystalline rocks lie many minerals. The most famous are deposits of high-quality crystalline graphite, in terms of reserves of which Sri Lanka ranks first in the world.

Deposits of phosphorites and mica are being developed. In some coastal areas, large areas are occupied by black monazite sands containing rare and radioactive elements. Local residents use laterite to build houses, which is formed during the weathering of crystalline rocks containing compounds of aluminum and iron (the latter give laterites their brick-red color). Laterite is easily cut into bricks, which quickly become hard in air.

Sri Lanka is famous for its precious stones: rubies, sapphires, topazes, amethysts. As the ancient chronicle “Mahavamsa” testifies, many kings and sultans in other countries decorated their crowns with these stones mined on the island. Centuries of predatory exploitation have led to the depletion of rich deposits, but the extraction of precious stones still continues.

The country is searching for oil, and Soviet geologists also took part in it in the 1970s. According to experts, there are sedimentary structures promising for oil on the Sri Lankan shelf. Since the 80s, exploration work began in the shelf zone, for which the state oil corporation of Sri Lanka entered into long-term contracts with companies in the USA and Canada. There is an agreement with the Indian Oil and Natural Gas Commission on joint exploration work.

Inland waters of Sri Lanka

Plain rivers are short, mountain rivers have great hydroelectric potential. The water in most rivers is warm. The largest rivers are Mahaweli-Ganga, Kelani, Kalu, Aruvi-Aru.

Mahaweli Ganga - largest river in Sri Lanka. Length 335 km. It originates in the central province. Its basin is the largest in the country, covering almost one fifth of the total area islands. The river reaches the Bay of Bengal on the northwestern part of the island. 6 hydroelectric dams were built on the river.

Climate of Sri Lanka

The climate in Sri Lanka is subequatorial and equatorial monsoon, greatly complicated by the topography and the general orientation of the island from north to south. The average annual temperature on the plains is about +29-31°C (seasonal variations are insignificant), in the mountainous part - from +16°C to +24°C. Sea water temperature all year round above +25°C.

Air humidity is high and almost always remains above 75%. Precipitation falls from 1000 (northern and eastern regions) up to 5000 ( southwest coast) mm per year. The rainy season occurs from May to September (southwest monsoon) and October to April (northeast monsoon), but these periods often have different time frames in different areas of the island.

Flora and fauna of Sri Lanka

The nature of Sri Lanka includes many unique species and is considered one of the most biologically diverse regions in the world. The level of endemism of animals and plants in Sri Lanka is 16% of the total fauna and 23% of the flowering flora. The flora of Sri Lanka is diverse and has a high degree of endemism. It includes 3,210 species of flowering plants from 1,052 genera. 916 species and 18 genera are endemic to the island. There are 8 types of forests in Sri Lanka.

In the southwest, at the foot of the mountains and on their slopes, in some places, dense moist equatorial forests with a huge variety of vegetation types (ebony, teak, silk tree, fruit trees) have been preserved. Along the northwestern and southeastern coasts, thorny bushes grow, and mangrove forests and coconut palms are sometimes found.

Fauna. Sri Lanka is home to 91 species, 41 of which are endangered (9 critically endangered). 16 species are endemic to the island, of which 14 are endangered, including the sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), the endemic Sri Lankan leopard (Panthera pardus kotiya) and Sri Lankan elephant (Elephas maximus maximus), and the Indian sambar deer (Cervus unicolor). Among the 11 orders, the largest number of species belongs to the order Chiroptera (30 species). In surrounding Sri Lanka sea ​​waters There are 26 species of the order Cetaceans.

Sri Lanka is home to: 227 species of birds (previously up to 486 species were recorded), 46 of which are endangered (10 critically endangered); 171 species of reptiles live in Sri Lanka, of which 56 are endangered and 101 species endemic to the island (mainly snakes). And the largest species are represented by two crocodiles: the Swamp crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and the Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).

Sri Lanka is one of the most species-diverse regions in the world for the class Amphibians. It is home to 106 species of amphibians, of which 90 are endemic to the island and this is the highest species density for amphibians in the world. 52 species are threatened with extinction, almost all of them (except one) are endemic.

There are 82 species of freshwater fish found in Sri Lanka, of which 28 are endangered. Butterflies are represented on the island by 245 species, of which 23 are endemic and cannot be found anywhere else. 76 species are threatened with extinction, especially the species Pachliopta jophon.

Population of Sri Lanka

Population - 21.3 million (estimated as of July 2009). Annual growth - 0.9%. Birth rate - 16.2 per 1000 (fertility - 1.99 births per woman); Mortality - 6.1 per 1000; Emigration - 1.1 per 1000; Infant mortality - 18.5 per 1000; Average life expectancy is 73 years for men, 77 years for women.

Sinhalese make up about 75%, Tamils ​​make up about 18% of the population, mainly in the northern and eastern regions. There are also Sri Lankan Moors (Larakalla - descendants of Arabs) - about 7%, burghers (descendants of mixed marriages with Europeans) - about 0.3%, Veddas (descendants of the oldest population of the island) - about 1 thousand people.

About 70% of the population (mainly Sinhalese) profess Buddhism, 15% Hinduism (Tamils), 8% Christianity, 7% Islam (Lankan Moors). Literacy - 92% of men, 89% of women (according to the 2001 census).

Official languages ​​are Sinhala and Tamil, widely spoken English language. The national-ethnic composition generally corresponds to the religious affiliation of the population: Buddhism is professed by about 70% (mainly Sinhalese), Hinduism - by more than 17% (mainly Tamils), Islam and Christianity - by approximately 8% each (Moors, burghers, etc.) . Largest cities: Colombo, Moratuwa, Galle, Trincomalee, Jaffna, Kandy.

Source - http://travellanka.ru/geografia.html
http://ru.wikipedia.org/
http://www.shri-lank.ru/

The island's forests amaze with their power and diversity. Here you can find giant trees reaching 50 meters in height, small but beautiful flowering plants, and numerous vines entwining the trunks and branches of other trees. Among them are many valuable, unique species: sandalwood with delicately fragrant branches, ebony, also called “black” for the color of the wood, rosewood - teak, breadfruit with edible fruits, tree ferns, papaya, mango and many others. But most of all in the forests there are various palm trees, of which in the first place, of course, are coconut trees. Their slender silhouettes, sometimes rising 30-35 meters, are found everywhere on the island.

This plant has long served man in tropical countries. Its nuts are used as food and provide oil used in soap and candle making. Palm leaves are used to cover huts, baskets, mats and brushes are made from them, the wood is used for buildings, and dishes are made from nut shells. Palm fiber is used for weaving ropes and making fabrics.
From other types of palm trees, sweet juice is obtained, which after fermentation becomes an intoxicating drink, starch, sugar, wax and other substances. In ancient times, the leaves of the talipot palm were used to make paper similar to parchment. Ancient manuscripts written on it have survived to this day - more than a thousand years! And the fruits of the cabbage palm are still included in the menu of the island’s residents.

Near Buddhist monasteries there are always groves of banyan trees - the sacred tree of India and Sri Lanka. After all, it was under the banyan tree that two and a half thousand years ago, the founder of Buddhism, Prince Gautama, experienced “enlightenment,” that is, he understood the cause of human suffering and the way to get rid of it. This happened in one of the cities of Northern India. From then on, Gautama took the name Buddha (“Enlightened One”). Every year, millions of pilgrims come to bow to the tree, which has survived to this day.
And in 245 BC, envoys from Sri Lanka turned to the priests guarding the sacred Indian tree with a request to allow them to take one branch of banyan tree to their island so that they too would grow a symbol of true faith. Permission was given, and the cutting of the tree in a golden vessel traveled down the Ganges River and then by sea to Sri Lanka, where it was planted on a hill in ancient capital country - Anuradhapura and poured sacred water from the Ganges. And the tree took root in the new place and has been blooming and bearing fruit for more than two thousand years. The monks spread its fruits throughout the island, and now there is no Buddhist temple in Sri Lanka that does not have a banyan tree growing near it.

By the way, this tree is a close relative of the well-known indoor ficus. By the way, the ficus family, which is widespread in the Mediterranean, also includes the fig tree, or fig tree, as the Bible calls it. An amazing feature of the banyan tree is its ability to form numerous aerial roots hanging from the branches to the ground. Having taken root in the soil, these roots begin to thicken, turning into powerful additional trunks, reaching a meter in diameter. (The main trunk can sometimes be up to ten meters in diameter.) Gradually the tree turns into a real forest, sometimes occupying an entire hectare and consisting of 600-800 trunks! The largest banyan tree is considered to be a five-hundred-year-old tree in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, resembling a huge green hill with an area of ​​two hectares. It is even listed in the Guinness Book of Records. True, such giants have not been recorded in Sri Lanka.
In the forests of the island there is a real abundance of animals: there are wild elephants and buffalos,
black sloth bears and leopards, jackals and meter-sized bats - flying foxes, as well as many monkeys, flocks of which regularly devastate the fields and gardens of local residents. There are as many as five species of deer in Sri Lanka, including the largest spotted-skinned axis deer and mouse deer as tall as a hare.
The jungles of Sri Lanka also abound in birds, many of which fly here in winter from the north. But among them there are also permanent residents - these are peacocks, weaver birds, spur partridges and amazingly beautiful Ceylon kingfishers, whose feathers on the back shimmer in all shades of blue.
Dangerous animals are also found here, such as poisonous snakes (including cobras), crocodiles, sometimes growing up to five meters in length, and in coastal sea waters - sharks. The rivers are home to a rare fisherman, similar to a huge eel, up to a meter long. During the dry season, it is able to crawl overland from one body of water to another that has not yet dried up.

And the gecko lizards, common in Sri Lanka, are tamed and kept in houses by residents to combat flies, mosquitoes and mosquitoes.
The island's fertile climate provides excellent conditions for the cultivation of many cultivated plants, and therefore most of the plains of Sri Lanka (and they occupy four-fifths of the country) have been converted into plantations. Rubber trees such as hevea and cocoa, coconut palms and coffee trees, bananas and citrus fruits grow on them. But the main asset of Sri Lanka is its famous tea, which from old memory is called Ceylon tea. A third of all the tea harvested in the world is grown here, and it provides the lion's share of revenue to the state treasury.

But the nature of the island is famous not only for its richness of flora. In its mountains, on the roads of Sri Lanka, the richest reserves of the best graphite in the world have been found, and “black sands” - the most valuable ore of titanium and zirconium - are mined off the coast. However, first of all, Sri Lanka is known throughout the world for its precious stones. Over forty various types Gems are hidden in its depths: rubies and topazes, amethysts and garnets, tourmalines and alexandrites.

Sri Lanka is famous for its amazing landscapes: snow-white sandy beaches, mighty hills, rich forests and mesmerizing waterfalls. The first protected area appeared in the 3rd century BC, and today there are 3 reserves, 12 national parks and 51 reservations on the island, the list of which includes Mineria, Sinharaja, Bundala, Wilpatu, Wasgamuwa, Udawalawe and Yalla.

Mineria is a national park located near a reservoir in the Polonnaruwa region at a distance of 182 km from Colombo. The park has a huge variety of vegetation and a sufficient amount of water, which creates favorable living conditions for many species of animals. The park has become ideal place for habitat of 200 elephants. Sinharaja - unique tropical
forest untouched by civilization. The pristine nature of the forest has become the home of many species of flora and fauna. Trees whose length reaches 50 meters are of great interest. Bundala National Park natural conditions which are ideal for about 20 thousand migratory birds. The sandy area of ​​the park is a place for sea turtles to lay eggs. You can also see elephants, deer, wild buffalo, storks, pelicans, flamingos and waterfowl in the park. Yalla is the largest and oldest national park. The park is home to a huge number of animals and birds. Udawalawe is a national park that is distinguished by its diversity of species flora. The park is home to jackals, wild boars, some types of deer, and buffalo. On the shores of the lakes you can see pelicans, herons and other bird species. Vilpatu is a national park, on the territory of which there are still unexplored places where numerous representatives of animals and plants live. Local reservoirs are inhabited by river shrimp and many different species of fish.