Silent Striker of the Night: Unveiling the Sri Lankan Krait – By Bhanuka – eLanka When the sun sets over the dense jungles and quiet village paths of Sri Lanka, a silent predator awakens. Often overlooked due to its elusive nature and shy temperament, the Sri Lankan Krait (Bungarus ceylonicus) slithers under the cover of night, a ghostly shadow among leaves and rocks. Endemic to the island, this enigmatic serpent has fascinated herpetologists and instilled quiet caution among rural communities for generations. Revered, feared, and rarely seen, the Sri Lankan Krait is a master of stealth, a creature of mystery woven into the island’s nocturnal tapestry. Unlike the more commonly feared cobras or vipers, kraits do not announce their presence with hoods or hisses. They are small to medium in size, typically black with stark white or pale bands that gleam under torchlight like moonlight on ripples. This distinctive pattern ...
Blog Archives
Whispers of the Rainforest: The Enigmatic Serendib Scops Owl of Sri Lanka – By Malsha – eLanka Image Source : endemicbirds.blogspot.com Nestled deep within the lush, mist-laden rainforests of Sri Lanka lives a rare and mysterious bird—the Serendib Scops Owl (Otus thilohoffmanni), a species that eluded science until the dawn of the 21st century. First discovered in 2001 by ornithologist Dr. Deepal Warakagoda, this small and elusive owl remains one of the most remarkable avian discoveries of recent decades, symbolizing both the island’s incredible biodiversity and the urgent need for rainforest conservation. A Unique Discovery The Serendib Scops Owl is the first new bird species to be discovered in Sri Lanka since 1868. What makes this owl particularly unique is that it lacks the prominent ear tufts seen in most other scops owls, giving it a more rounded appearance. Its plumage is rich brown with subtle markings, allowing it to blend ...
Exploring Sri Lanka’s Wildlife: A Photographic Journey through Nature’s Biological Diversity-By Ifham Nizam Source:Island Sri Lanka, often celebrated for its cultural heritage and scenic landscapes, also boasts a captivating array of wildlife that remains one of the most diverse in the region. The latest edition to hit the market shortly, A Photographic Guide to the Wildlife of Sri Lanka, crafted by the renowned naturalist and photographer Gehan de Silva Wijeyeratne, captures this biodiversity in exquisite detail. With contributions from leading experts, this guide transcends traditional wildlife books, providing a comprehensive, user-friendly resource that appeals to amateur wildlife enthusiasts and seasoned researchers alike. This book covers more than 90 percent of Sri Lanka’s recorded fauna and flora, featuring some 453 birds, 122 mammals, 330 butterflies, and an extensive catalog of reptiles, amphibians, and plants. It is an unprecedented visual and educational compendium, utilising more than 1,250 high-quality photographs that vividly bring ...
The Toque Macaque: Sri Lanka’s Endangered Primate – By Bhanuka – eLanka The Toque Macaque (Macaca sinica) is a unique and highly social primate species endemic to Sri Lanka. Known for its distinctive toque-like hair pattern, this monkey plays an important ecological role in Sri Lanka’s forests and has significant cultural importance. However, due to habitat destruction and other human-induced factors, the Toque Macaque is currently listed as endangered in the Red Data Book of Sri Lanka. This article explores the key characteristics, behavior, habitat, and threats faced by this fascinating species. Key Characteristics of the Toque Macaque The Toque Macaque is a medium-sized primate, typically weighing between 4 to 8 kilograms. Its most striking feature is the crown of hair on its head, which resembles a cap or “toque,” giving the species its name. The Toque Macaque comes in three subspecies, each with slightly varying physical characteristics and regional ...
Linnean Medal, the ‘Nobel Prize’ for naturalists won by old Thomian Rohan Pethiyagoda – by Sunil Thenabadu Photo Source:linnean.org The Linnean Society of London was established in the year 1888 in the nineteenth century. The Linnean Medal is awarded annually to alternately a botanist or a zoologist as has been common since 1958 to one of each in the same year. It is with great pride and delight that we inform our fraternity that our very own Rohan Pethiyagoda who was awarded the prestigious Linnean Medal at a ceremony organised by the Linnean society in London recently. The Linnean medal is commonly regarded as the ‘Nobel Prize’ for naturalists, owing to renowned naturalists such as Charles Darwin and Richard Dawkins already being associated with this award. Rohan Pethiyagoda, a taxonomist which is the branch of science associated with classifications, especially of organisms received the Zoology award of the Linnean Society, it is learned that he is ...
